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

October 14, 2025 (opens) | January 15, 2026 (deadline)

Up to eight prizes of €10,000 each; total budget €80,000

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

Only ERC PIs with projects ongoing or ended on/after 31 Dec 2023 are eligible.

--- ## Description This opportunity honors outstanding science communicators among ERC Principal Investigators (PIs) who have effectively engaged audiences outside their research domain in ERC-funded projects. The prize aims to promote best practices in public engagement, encouraging ERC grantees to develop creative, impactful activities that involve the public in the design, conduct, or dissemination of research. Activities may include citizen science, public outreach, and consultation with citizen groups, addressing societal challenges and fostering two-way interactions for mutual benefit. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: October 14, 2025 - Submission deadline: January 15, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Up to eight prizes of €10,000 each - Total indicative budget: €80,000 - Recognition prize (not a research grant) --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be Principal Investigators on an ERC frontier research project (either ongoing or ended on/after December 31, 2023). - Each PI may submit only one application per ERC project. - For Synergy Grants, each PI may submit for their own activities, or a joint application for jointly-conducted activities. - Eligible activities must relate to public engagement for an ERC-funded project and be sufficiently mature to demonstrate impact. - Open to applicants from eligible countries as outlined in the [ERC Work Programme 2026](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/wp_horizon-erc-2026_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted 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. - Registration on the portal is required. - Submission consists of administrative forms and a contest proposal (Part B), uploaded as a PDF. - Proposal page limits and layout are described in the application form and Rules of Contest. - Applications must be complete, readable, and accessible. --- ## Additional Information - Evaluation is based on: - **Strategy and implementation:** Quality, appropriateness, novelty, and creativity of the public engagement approach. - **Impact:** Evidence of success in meeting engagement objectives, including mutual learning for researchers and the public. - Detailed criteria and procedures are in the [Rules of Contest](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/roc_horizon-erc-2026-pera_en.pdf). - Guidance and FAQs are available via the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) and [Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq). --- ## External Links - [Call Details and Submission 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) - [ERC Work Programme 2026](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/wp_horizon-erc-2026_en.pdf) - [Rules of Contest](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026/roc_horizon-erc-2026-pera_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Contact Details | |------|----------------| | General EC Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

ERC 2026 PERA

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