Proof of Concept
The European Research Council's Proof of Concept grant helps ERC-funded researchers bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world innovation through targeted validation and development activities.
Funder: European Research Council
Due Dates: March 17, 2026 | September 17, 2026
Funding Amounts: Lump sum of €150,000 per grant for up to 18 months; typically ~400 grants awarded annually.
Summary: Supports ERC grantees in exploring the commercial or societal potential of their ERC-funded research through targeted proof-of-concept activities.
Key Information: Only one proposal per PI per call; maximum three PoC grants per main grant (six for Synergy Grants).
Description
The European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) grant enables principal investigators (PIs) holding an ongoing or recently completed ERC main grant to bridge the gap between their frontier research and real-world innovation. The scheme funds activities such as technical validation, development of intellectual property strategies, stakeholder engagement, and demonstration of innovation potential. The goal is to maximize the value and societal or commercial impact of ERC-funded discoveries by supporting the early stages of translating research outcomes into practical applications.
