The European Research Council has announced that with the launch of the competitions for grants under ERC Work Programme 2026 in July of this year, several changes to the submission of applications and the evaluation of proposals will apply. The main novelties for 2026, as well as the longer-term goal to extend the eligibility of applicants for Starting and Consolidator Grants from 2027 are summarised on the ERC’s website and concern the following, amongst others:

  • ERC Work Programme 2026: different structure of project proposals;
  • Evaluation: changes in evaluation of Step 1 and Step 2;
  • Additional funding available for Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grants for researchers currently based outside Europe (up to € 2 million) and for researchers in EU Member States or Associated Countries (up to € 1 million) for specifically defined purposes;
  • New funding instrument to offer ambitious researchers substantial funding for up to seven years, as part of the Choose Europe for Science initiative, with more details about the modalities to follow in due course;
  • Widening of eligibility period for Starting and Consolidator Grants from 2027 on.

For more information:

ERC – press release