The European Research Council (ERC) has published an overview of the changes that will be reflected in the 2026 and 2027 work programmes and in some aspects will significantly alter the existing rules for the submission of project proposals.
Summary of key information:
ERC 2026 Work Programme
The application structure will remain the same, but the requirements for the scientific proposal are changing:
- Part I of the Scientific Proposal (formerly Extended Synopsis)
It will be 5 pages in length and describe the main idea of the research, the current state of knowledge, the objectives and the research strategy. - Part II of the scientific proposal
It will detail the methodology, work plan, risk management, budget and required resources.
New:- 7 pages for Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants
- 10 pages for Synergy Grants
Evaluation
- Step 1 Evaluation:
Only Part I of the proposal + CV + summary of results will be evaluated.
Feasibility will not be assessed at this stage - to be addressed in Part II. - Step 2 Evaluation:
The entire proposal is evaluated, including feasibility, resources and time allocation.
The main criteria remain scientific ambition and potential to advance knowledge.
Additional Funding
- Applicants from outside the EU can apply for up to 2 million euros extra to move their team to Europe.
- Applicants already operating in the EU or an associated country can apply for up to 1 million euros.
- From 2026 onwards, these funds can also be used for personal expenses.
New funding instrument
ERC is preparing a new type of grant (under the Choose Europe for Science initiative) for ambitious researchers with a funding opportunity of up to 7 years. The details will be specified in an addendum to WP 2026 by the end of 2025.
Changes in eligibility conditions for Starting and Consolidator Grants
- Applicants who have been victims of gender-based or other violence will be able to apply for an extension of the eligibility period.
ERC 2027 Work Program
- For Starting Grants: opportunity to apply immediately after defending a Ph.D. and up to 10 years after defending a Ph.D..
- For Consolidator Grants: the period extends to 5-15 years after Ph.D..
- Each researcher will be eligible to receive a maximum of one Starting and one Consolidator Grant during their career.
Detailed description of the above changes.
The 2026 work programme is expected to be announced in early July.
Source: ERC