Deadline: 27-Aug-2026
The ERC Advanced Grant Programme 2026 is inviting applications from established research leaders to conduct ambitious frontier research projects at host institutions located in EU Member States or Associated Countries. The programme provides funding of up to €2.5 million for projects lasting up to five years, with the possibility of requesting an additional €1 million for eligible research costs or up to €2 million for eligible researchers relocating from outside the EU or an Associated Country. Researchers of any nationality and age may apply, provided they carry out their project at an eligible host institution.
Overview
The European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant Programme supports internationally recognised research leaders with outstanding scientific achievements who wish to pursue ambitious, high-risk, and high-gain frontier research.
The programme funds investigator-driven research across all scientific disciplines, allowing researchers to explore innovative ideas that have the potential to produce significant scientific breakthroughs and advance knowledge.
Purpose of the Programme
The ERC Advanced Grant aims to:
- Support established research leaders.
- Enable ambitious frontier research.
- Promote scientific excellence across all disciplines.
- Encourage groundbreaking and high-risk research.
- Strengthen Europe’s global leadership in research and innovation.
- Support independent, investigator-driven research.
- Advance knowledge through innovative scientific discoveries.
Why This Programme Matters
The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Europe’s most prestigious research funding opportunities. It enables leading researchers to pursue challenging scientific questions that may not be supported through traditional research funding programmes.
The programme helps researchers:
- Conduct transformative scientific research.
- Build and lead world-class research teams.
- Access advanced research infrastructure.
- Develop innovative technologies and methodologies.
- Strengthen international scientific collaboration.
- Deliver research with long-term global impact.
Programme Focus Areas
The ERC Advanced Grant supports frontier research across all fields, including:
- Life sciences.
- Physical sciences.
- Engineering.
- Mathematics.
- Computer science.
- Environmental sciences.
- Medical research.
- Social sciences.
- Economics.
- Humanities.
- Interdisciplinary research.
- Emerging scientific fields.
There are no predefined thematic priorities, and applicants are encouraged to propose original, ambitious, and innovative research projects.
Funding Information
The ERC Advanced Grant provides substantial financial support for research projects.
Funding includes:
- Up to €2,500,000 for projects lasting up to five years.
- Projects with a shorter duration receive funding on a pro rata basis.
Applicants may also request:
- Up to €1,000,000 in additional funding for eligible costs, including:
- Start-up costs.
- Major research equipment.
- Access to large research facilities.
- Major experimental work.
- Large-scale fieldwork.
- Other properly justified eligible project costs.
Principal Investigators relocating from outside the EU or an Associated Country may request up to €2,000,000 in additional funding when taking up an ERC Starting, Consolidator, or Advanced Grant.
Eligible Costs
Funding may support:
- Research personnel.
- Scientific equipment.
- Laboratory infrastructure.
- Data collection and analysis.
- Travel and collaboration.
- Fieldwork.
- Access to specialised facilities.
- Project management.
- Other eligible research implementation costs.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be established research leaders.
- Demonstrate an outstanding record of significant research achievements.
- Submit a proposal aligned with the objectives of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
- Intend to carry out the project at an eligible Host Institution in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
Researchers of any nationality and any age are eligible to apply regardless of their country of residence.
Host Institution Requirements
Eligible Host Institutions include:
- Universities.
- Public research organisations.
- Private research organisations.
- Research institutes.
- Companies and undertakings.
- International European research organisations.
- Other legal entities established under EU law.
The Host Institution must:
- Be located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
- Engage and host the Principal Investigator for the full duration of the project.
- Provide an appropriate environment for successful project implementation.
Principal Investigator Commitments
Successful Principal Investigators must:
- Spend at least 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
- Dedicate at least 30% of their working time to the ERC-funded project.
- Lead the project independently throughout the funding period.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated solely on scientific excellence.
Assessment considers:
- Scientific quality and originality.
- Ambition and innovation.
- Potential scientific impact.
- Research achievements of the Principal Investigator.
- Feasibility of the research plan.
- Capacity to successfully deliver the proposed project.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Confirm eligibility under the ERC Advanced Grant requirements.
- Identify a suitable Host Institution in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
- Develop an ambitious frontier research proposal.
- Prepare all required application documents.
- Justify any request for additional funding.
- Submit the complete proposal according to the ERC Work Programme 2026 before the application deadline.
Tips for Applicants
To improve your proposal:
- Present a highly original and ambitious research idea.
- Highlight your outstanding research achievements.
- Demonstrate international scientific leadership.
- Clearly explain the project’s potential impact.
- Develop a realistic implementation plan.
- Justify requests for additional funding with detailed evidence.
- Show that the Host Institution can fully support the proposed research.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting proposals outside the objectives of the ERC Advanced Grant.
- Providing insufficient evidence of research leadership.
- Presenting weak scientific justification.
- Requesting additional funding without adequate explanation.
- Preparing unrealistic research plans or budgets.
- Failing to demonstrate the feasibility and potential impact of the project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the ERC Advanced Grant?
Established research leaders of any nationality and age who intend to carry out their research at an eligible Host Institution in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
How much funding is available?
The programme provides up to €2,500,000 for projects lasting up to five years, with additional funding of up to €1,000,000, or up to €2,000,000 for eligible researchers relocating from outside the EU or an Associated Country.
What research fields are supported?
The ERC Advanced Grant supports frontier research across all scientific disciplines based solely on scientific excellence.
Who can serve as the Host Institution?
Eligible Host Institutions include universities, research organisations, companies, international European research organisations, and other legal entities established under EU law that are located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
What working time commitments apply?
Principal Investigators must spend at least 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or an Associated Country and devote at least 30% of their working time to the ERC-funded project.
Can additional funding be requested?
Yes. Applicants may request up to €1,000,000 for eligible project costs, while eligible researchers relocating from outside the EU or an Associated Country may request up to €2,000,000 in additional funding, subject to programme conditions.
Conclusion
The ERC Advanced Grant Programme 2026 offers one of the world’s most prestigious funding opportunities for established research leaders. With grants of up to €2.5 million, additional financial support for major research needs, and complete freedom to pursue frontier research across any discipline, the programme enables outstanding researchers to tackle complex scientific challenges, build internationally recognised research teams, and generate discoveries with lasting global impact.
For more information, visit European Commission.