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

September 25, 2025 (Opening) | January 13, 2026 (Deadline)

Up to €2,000,000 for 5 years; additional funding up to €1,000,000 (or €2,000,000 for relocation) possible for eligible costs.

Supports researchers consolidating independent teams to pursue ambitious, high-impact projects in any scientific field.

PI must have defended PhD between Jan 1, 2014 and Dec 31, 2018 (extensions possible for certain cases).

--- ## Description The European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant is designed to support excellent Principal Investigators (PIs) who are in the process of consolidating their own independent research team or programme. This grant targets researchers who have demonstrated research independence and are seeking to further establish themselves as leaders in their field. The funding aims to empower PIs to undertake ambitious, high-risk/high-gain research projects in any area of science, including interdisciplinary and cross-domain proposals. The grant provides substantial resources to help researchers build strong teams and achieve significant scientific breakthroughs. --- ## Due Dates - **Call opens:** September 25, 2025 - **Application deadline:** January 13, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - **Standard maximum grant:** Up to €2,000,000 for a period of 5 years. - **Additional funding:** Up to €1,000,000 for eligible costs such as start-up, equipment, access to large facilities, or major experimental/field work. For PIs relocating to the EU or an Associated Country from elsewhere, the maximum additional funding can be €2,000,000. - **Note:** The grant maximum is reduced pro rata for shorter projects; additional funding is not reduced pro rata. --- ## Eligibility ### Principal Investigator (PI) - Must have successfully defended their first PhD between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018 (inclusive). - Extensions to this window are possible for properly documented circumstances (e.g., parental leave, long-term illness). - Open to researchers of any age and nationality, based anywhere in the world at the time of application. - Must spend at least 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or Associated Country, and at least 40% of their working time on the ERC project. ### Host Institution - Must be a legal entity (public or private), such as a university, research organisation, or company, established in an EU Member State or Associated Country. - Must commit to hosting the PI for at least the duration of the project. ### Scientific Field - Open to proposals in **any field of science**, including interdisciplinary research. ### Restrictions on Applications - Restrictions apply if you have submitted certain other ERC proposals recently. See 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) for details. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals 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-COG?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Proposal structure:** Includes administrative forms, scientific proposal (Parts I & II), CV and track record, host institution support letter, ethics issues table, and supporting documents for eligibility. - **Evaluation:** Single-stage, peer-reviewed evaluation based solely on scientific excellence. The process includes two steps, with interviews in Step 2 for selected applicants. - **Templates and guidance:** See the [Information for Applicants](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/information-for-applicants_he-erc-stg-cog_en.pdf) and [application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-erc-cog_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - **Open Science:** Immediate open access to all peer-reviewed scientific publications resulting from the project is required. Research data must be managed in line with FAIR principles. - **Eligible costs:** Personnel, equipment, travel, consumables, and other direct project costs; additional funding for major equipment/start-up/relocation costs. - **Number of grants:** Approximately 341 awards anticipated in this round. - **Full legal and financial framework:** See the [Model Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/general-mga_horizon-euratom_en.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERC-2026-COG?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&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) - [Information for Applicants](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/information-for-applicants_he-erc-stg-cog_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (HE ERC COG)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-erc-cog_en.pdf) - [ERC National Contact Points](https://erc.europa.eu/support/national-contact-points) - [FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) - [Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | ERC Consolidator Grant Help | [ERC 2026 Starting Grant Applicants' Mailbox](mailto:erc-2026-stg-applicants@ec.europa.eu) | | National Contact Points | [ERC NCP Directory](https://erc.europa.eu/support/national-contact-points) | | IT/Portal Support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS

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