ERC Plus Grants

ERC Plus Grants support outstanding researchers with bold ideas and a vision for transformative research beyond existing ERC programmes.

They are part of the European Research Council (external link) funding scheme under Horizon Europe and are designed to support ambitious frontier research that could open new avenues of science or transform a research field.

Overview

ERC Plus Grants are for exceptional Principal Investigators who want to pursue a highly ambitious research project that goes beyond the scope of existing ERC grant schemes.

The scheme supports researchers with the potential to generate transformative scientific advances. Projects can be theoretical, applied or a combination of both.

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 Plus Grants are for outstanding researchers who:

have a bold idea for transformative research
want to open new avenues of research or transform a field
are proposing work that goes beyond existing ERC programmes
can show the ambition, originality and potential impact of their research vision
want to carry out a major frontier research project in Europe

Researchers of any nationality can apply.

There are no specific age limits or career-stage restrictions. Applicants can be based anywhere in the world at the time of application, provided the project is carried out at an eligible host institution in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.

There is no requirement to have held a previous ERC grant, although applicants with a running ERC grant may need to check the specific eligibility and timing rules in the latest call documents.

What this could help you do

An ERC Plus Grant could help you:

pursue an ambitious and transformative research idea
open new research directions
transform a field or create a new one
carry out a long-term frontier research project
recruit researchers and team members
access major equipment, facilities or fieldwork support where needed
attract or retain outstanding scientific talent in Europe
carry out research at a host institution in the UK, EU or another Horizon Europe associated country

What you can get

ERC Plus Grants can provide up to €7 million.
Projects can run for a minimum of 4 years and up to 7 years.
ERC Plus Grants are awarded as a single lump sum contribution for the whole project. The lump sum is based on a realistic estimate of the project’s eligible costs.
There is no option to request additional funding on top of the maximum grant amount.
Applicants should prepare their budget using the Horizon Europe cost rules. This includes eligible direct costs and a flat-rate contribution towards indirect costs.
You should check the latest ERC Work Programme document (PDF) and Q&A on lump sum funding on the EU portal before applying.

What proposals are eligible

Applications can be made in any field of research.

The research must be carried out through an eligible 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 Principal Investigator must commit to dedicate at least 30% of their working time to the project and spend at least 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.

The host institution must provide suitable conditions for the researcher to lead the project and manage the funding independently.

Teams and partners

ERC Plus 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 Plus Grants do not usually require a consortium.

Funding in practice

Examples of funded projects are not yet available. The first ERC Plus call closed in September 2026, with the first selected projects expected to be announced in 2027.

Find out more about the first ERC Plus call on their website

Next steps and support

Find out if you are eligible to apply, read about Plus Grants and what the funding covers by visiting the ERC website.
Read about the financial support available in the current ERC 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 see if your project fits the scale and ambition of an ERC grant.
Familiarise yourself with the panels so that you can pick the right one for you. Note that 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 the latest ERC Plus Grant calls

Open and upcoming Plus Grant calls, official call documents and submission deadlines are all listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Find the latest ERC Plus Grant on the EU Funding and Tenders portal

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