ERC Advanced Grant call now open - Deadline 27th August 2026
Applicants for the ERC Advanced Grants - called Principal Investigators (PIs) - are expected to be active researchers who have a track-record of significant research achievements. The PIs should be exceptional leaders in terms of originality and significance of their research contributions. No specific eligibility criteria with respect to the academic requirements are foreseen.
Advanced Grants may be awarded up to € 2.5 million for a period of 5 years. (pro rata for projects of shorter duration). However, an additional € 1 million can be made available to cover eligible “start-up” costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country and/or the purchase of major equipment and/or access to large facilities and/or other major experimental and field work costs.
https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/advanced-grant
Funding: Up to €2.5 million for 5 years (pro rata for shorter projects)
Additional funding: Up to €2 million for researchers relocating from a third country; up to €1 million if already based in the EU or an associated country. Additional funding may now also cover personnel costs.
Budget (2026): €747 million
Estimated grants: ~300
Call identifier: ERC-2026-AdG
Call opens: 28 May 2026
Deadline: 27 August 2026
Step 1 results: By 29 January 2027
Step 2 results: By 11 June 2027
Grant Agreement target: 16 November 2027