ERC Advanced Grants support established, leading researchers who want long-term funding to pursue a ground-breaking and ambitious research project.
They are part of the European Research Council (external link) funding scheme under Horizon Europe and are designed to help exceptional research leaders carry out high-risk, high-gain frontier research.
Overview
Advanced Grants are for active researchers with a strong track record of significant research achievements.
They support Principal Investigators who are recognised as exceptional leaders in their field, with research contributions that show originality, ambition and significance.
Funding is available for projects in any field of research. ERC grants are bottom-up, which means there are no set themes or predetermined research priorities.
Applications are assessed on excellence. This applies to both the proposed research project and the Principal Investigator.
Who this is for
ERC Advanced Grants are for established researchers who:
- are active researchers with a track record of significant research achievements
- are recognised as exceptional leaders in their field
- have made original and significant research contributions
- want long-term funding for an ambitious frontier research project
- have an excellent and ground-breaking research proposal
Researchers of any nationality can apply.
There are no specific academic eligibility requirements for Advanced Grants. Applicants are expected to show a strong track record and leadership in their field.
What this could help you do
An ERC Advanced Grant could help you:
- pursue a ground-breaking and ambitious research project
- carry out long-term frontier research
- strengthen your position as a leading researcher
- recruit researchers and team members
- access major equipment, facilities or fieldwork support where needed
- carry out research at a host institution in the UK, EU or another Horizon Europe associated country
What you can get
Advanced Grants can provide up to €2.5 million for up to 5 years.
Additional funding may be available for eligible costs such as:
- start-up costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country
- major equipment
- access to large facilities
- major experimental work
- fieldwork costs
Principal Investigators relocating from a non-associated third country to the EU or a Horizon Europe associated country may be able to request a higher level of additional funding.
ERC grants can cover up to 100% of eligible direct research costs, plus a contribution towards indirect costs.
Advanced Grants are being implemented as a pilot call using a lump sum contribution. You should check the latest call documents and Q&A on lump sum funding (external document link) before applying.
What proposals are eligible
Applications can be made in any field of research.
The research must be carried out through a public or private research organisation, known as the host institution. The host institution must be based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country.
The application is submitted by a single Principal Investigator on behalf of their host institution. The host institution must provide suitable conditions for the researcher to lead the project and manage the funding independently.
The Principal Investigator does not need to be employed by the host institution when the proposal is submitted, but both parties must have a clear commitment in place if the proposal is successful.
Teams and partners
ERC Advanced Grants are led by an individual Principal Investigator.
The Principal Investigator can recruit team members of any nationality. Some team members may also be based outside Europe, depending on the needs of the project.
Vacancies for team members interested in joining an ERC-funded research project can be published on the Euraxess Jobs portal.
Unlike many Horizon Europe funding routes, ERC Advanced Grants do not usually require a consortium.
Funding in practice
Exploring ways to prevent hereditary breast cancer
Walid Khaled at the University of Cambridge received €2.5 million over five years for the PreBRCATx project. The research investigates cellular and molecular changes that happen before breast cancer develops in people with inherited mutations, including BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2, and explores potential approaches to preventative treatment.
View the PreBRCATx project example on the ERC website
Next steps and support
- Find out if you are eligible to apply, read about Advanced Grants and what the funding covers by visiting the ERC website.
- Read about the financial support available in the current Work Programme (PDF) to see if this is right for you.
- Look on their website and read what the ERC has funded in the past and consider whether your project fits the scale and ambition of an ERC grant.
- Familiarise yourself with the ERC panels so you can select the most appropriate one. All research areas are eligible.
- Speak to your host institution as early as possible.
- Contact the NCP for ERC with questions and support on any of the above.
Find current ERC Advanced Grant calls
Open and upcoming Advanced Grant calls, official call documents and submission deadlines are listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
There are currently no open Advanced Grant calls.
Find the latest ERC Advanced Grant calls on the EU Funding and Tenders portal
Registering for EU Login and a PIC Code
To apply for funding through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, you need an EU Login account. If you do not already have one, register for an EU Login account on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.
Your organisation also needs a Participant Identification Code (PIC) to be included as a participant in a funding application and to manage the grant if the application is successful. If your organisation does not yet have one, find out how to register your organisation and get a PIC on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.
Last updated: 29 October 2026