The European Research Council (ERC) was set up by the European Union in 2007 to fund European frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age to run projects based across Europe. The competition is based solely on the criterion of excellence.

ERC grantees have already made advances in new and emerging technological fields, including clean and digital technologies, as well as in many other areas targeted by the key strategic orientations of the Horizon Europe strategic plan.

The ERC offers 4 core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants. With its additional Proof of Concept Grant scheme, the ERC helps grantees to explore the innovation potential of their ideas or research results.

All funding information and details on how to apply are on the EC Funding and Tenders portal.

ERC funding opportunities are set out in an annual work programme, established by the ERC Scientific Council and subsequently adopted by the European Commission. The rules applying to the submission and peer review evaluation of proposals, and to the award of grants to successful legal entities are set out in a separate document.