The 2026 call for ERC Synergy Grants closed for applications on 5 November 2025, marking a record-breaking year for submissions. Preliminary data from the European Research Council (ERC) show that a total of 957 proposals were submitted—an all-time high since the programme’s launch in 2012. This figure represents a significant 34% increase compared to last year’s call, which itself saw a notable 30% rise over the previous cycle.
In total, 3,312 principal investigators are involved in the proposals, including 1,094 women. Female participation continues a steady upward trend, with women now accounting for 33% of principal investigators, up from 30% in 2025 and 27% in 2023.
https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/applications-erc-synergy-grants-2026-facts-and-figures