Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The European Commission is seeking applications for its European Commission to recognise and reward those Principal Investigators who successfully engage audiences outside their domain with ERC-funded research.
The Public Engagement with Research Award aims to highlight outstanding efforts by ERC-funded Principal Investigators who bring science closer to society through meaningful and reciprocal engagement.
Through this initiative, the ERC seeks to encourage researchers to develop activities that involve citizens not only as recipients of information but as active participants in research design, dissemination, and dialogue.
Up to eight prizes of EUR 10,000 each will be awarded, acknowledging the most impactful and innovative public engagement efforts. Eligible activities include those that demonstrate maturity and measurable impact, conducted under ERC-funded projects regardless of the specific source of funding for engagement activities.
All Principal Investigators of ERC frontier research projects that are ongoing or have ended on or after 31 December 2023 are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by a single Principal Investigator responsible for the content of the application.
In the case of Synergy Grants, each Principal Investigator may submit an individual application for distinct public engagement activities or jointly apply if the activities were carried out collaboratively, with one serving as the lead applicant. Each Principal Investigator may submit only one application per ERC project.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.
For more information, visit European Commission.