[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

January 15, 2026 (Application submission deadline, 17:00 CET)

Up to 8 prizes of €10,000 each; total prize pool €80,000.

Recognizes ERC Principal Investigators for outstanding public engagement and science communication activities linked to ERC-funded research.

Only ERC grantees with projects ongoing or ended after 31 Dec 2023 are eligible.

--- ## Description This recognition prize from the European Research Council (ERC) aims to honor Principal Investigators (PIs) who excel at engaging audiences beyond academia with their ERC-funded research. The award seeks to highlight best practices in science communication and motivate more ERC grantees to develop impactful public engagement activities. Eligible activities include citizen science, public outreach, and initiatives that foster consultation and exchange with citizen groups—each intended to raise awareness, address societal challenges, or contribute to public debate based on ERC research outcomes. --- ## Due Dates - Application submission deadline: **January 15, 2026 (17:00 CET, Brussels time)** --- ## Funding Amount - **Prize amount:** Up to 8 prizes of **€10,000** each. - **Total budget:** €80,000. - Prizes are awarded as recognition (not as grants for future activities). --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Principal Investigators (PIs) of ERC frontier research projects that are ongoing or ended on or after December 31, 2023. - For Synergy Grants, each PI may submit an application for their own distinct public engagement activity. Joint applications are possible if the activity was conducted collaboratively. - **Project requirements:** - Activities must be linked to an ERC-funded project, regardless of the funding source for the engagement activity itself. - Activities must be completed or sufficiently mature to demonstrate impact by the submission deadline. - **Other restrictions:** - Each PI may submit only one application per ERC project. - Applicants must not be subject to EU exclusion decisions or restrictive measures. - Applications must comply with EU ethical standards and values, and focus on civil applications. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** - Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERC-2026-PERA?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) before the deadline. - The process requires registration in the [Participant Register](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/participant-register). - **Application components:** - Part A: Administrative details (completed online). - Part B: Technical description (uploaded as PDF, max 12 pages, strict formatting rules). - Up to 3 hyperlinks may be included as evidence of the public engagement activity. - **Language:** - Applications may be submitted in any official EU language, but English is strongly recommended for efficiency. - **Evaluation:** - Formal evaluation by a jury, using two main criteria: - **Strategy and Implementation** (quality, appropriateness, novelty/creativity). - **Impact** (quantitative and qualitative evidence of success, learning by researchers and/or public). - Each criterion is scored 0–5 (minimum 3.5 per criterion, 8/10 overall to be eligible for a prize). --- ## Additional Information - **Award announcement:** Winners will be notified and publicly announced in September–October 2026. - **Payment:** Prize funds are transferred to the PI (or host institution for institutional applications); in joint applications (Synergy Grants), the lead applicant receives the funds. - **No double funding:** Activities that have already received an EU prize are not eligible for a second prize. - **Communication obligations:** Winners must promote the prize and acknowledge ERC/EU support in communications. --- ## External Links - [ERC Public Engagement with Research Award 2026 – Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERC-2026-PERA?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Rules of Contest (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/roc_horizon-erc-2026-pera_en.pdf) - [ERC Work Programme 2026 (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/wp_horizon-erc-2026_en.pdf) - [Sample Application Form (PDF)](https://erc.europa.eu/system/files/2025-10/ERC-2026-PERA_Sample_Application_Form_Part_A_and_B.pdf) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General queries | [ERC-PROJECT-PROMOTION@ec.europa.eu](mailto:ERC-PROJECT-PROMOTION@ec.europa.eu) | | IT/Portal support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | ERC general info | [European Research Council website](https://erc.europa.eu/) | | Funder main contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | ---

ERC Public Engagement with Research Award 2026

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