ERA Chairs
ERA Chairs supports institutions in Widening countries to attract outstanding researchers and innovators, build lasting research groups and advance reforms that strengthen research excellence.
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Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: April 6, 2027 (Opening) | September 14, 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: €1.5–€2.5 million per project over an expected 5 years; €175 million topic budget
Summary: Supports institutions in Widening countries to attract outstanding researchers and innovators, establish lasting research groups, and advance institutional reforms.
Key Information: The institution applies alone with a prospective ERA Chair holder who has no existing contractual relationship with it.
Description
ERA Chairs is a European Commission Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action supporting universities, research organisations and research infrastructures in Widening countries. It funds the attraction of outstanding scientists and innovators in any scientific domain to establish permanent, high-quality research groups. The programme aims to strengthen research excellence, international visibility, talent circulation and success in competitive research funding.
Alongside building a research team, projects advance institutional reforms aligned with European Research Area priorities. These can address working conditions, career prospects, human resources policies, research governance, grant management and knowledge transfer, including gender equality. The Chair holder must have sufficient institutional authority to drive reforms, secure resource allocation and submit funding applications. Research groups are expected to continue beyond Horizon Europe funding.
