ERC Starting Grants support talented early-career researchers who are ready to lead their own independent research project or team. They are part of the European Research Council (ERC website link) funding scheme under Horizon Europe and are designed to help researchers establish themselves as independent research leaders.
Overview
Starting Grants are for researchers who have already produced excellent supervised work, show strong potential and are ready to take the next step in their research career.
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 Starting Grants are for early-career researchers who:
- are now eligible to apply for a Starting Grant immediately after successfully defending their PhD, and at any time within the following ten-year period
- have a scientific track record that shows strong promise
are ready to work independently - want to lead their own research project or team
- have an excellent and ambitious research proposal
Researchers of any nationality can apply.
Eligibility windows can be extended in some circumstances, including parental leave, illness, national service, clinical training, natural disasters, asylum, or for victims of gender-based violence or other forms of violence.
What this could help you do
An ERC Starting Grant could help you:
- establish your own independent research team
- develop an ambitious frontier research project
- build your profile as a future research leader
- 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
Starting Grants can provide up to €1.5 million for up to 5 years.
Additional funding may be available for eligible costs such as:
- start-up costs
- 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.
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 Starting 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.
Unlike many Horizon Europe funding routes, ERC Starting Grants do not usually require a consortium.
Funding in practice
Exploring why we create false memories
Gillian Murphy at University College Cork received an ERC Starting Grant to investigate whether false memories may serve an important purpose. The project explores whether our memories sometimes sacrifice accuracy to support outcomes such as wellbeing, social cohesion, survival or reproduction.
View ERC Starting Grant project example on its website
Next steps and support
- Find out if you are eligible to apply, read about Starting Grants and what the funding covers by visiting the ERC website.
- Read about the financial support available in the current 2027 ERC work programme (PDF) to see if this is right for you.
- Look at what the ERC has funded on its website dashboard in the past and consider whether your project fits the scale and ambition of an ERC grant.
- Familiarise yourself with the ERC panels on its website, 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 Starting Grant calls
Open and upcoming Starting Grant calls, official call documents and submission deadlines are listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
There are currently no open Starting Grant calls.
Find the latest ERC Starting Grant calls on the EU Funding and Tenders portal
Registering for EU Login and a PIC
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