The ERC Scientific Council continuously monitors the quality of the submission and evaluation processes, ensuring they are optimised to serve the needs of the European research community. Drawing on feedback from applicants, panel members, and the broader research community, the ERC Scientific Council has decided to introduce a set of improvements in the 2026 and 2027 calls for proposals.
The changes focus on three main areas:
- the format of the scientific proposal, including the assessment of feasibility,
- measures to streamline the workload of evaluation panels,
- adjustments to the eligibility windows for Starting and Consolidator Grants.
- Starting Grant: Researchers will be eligible to apply for a Starting Grant immediately after successfully defending their PhD, and at any time within the following 10-year period.
- Consolidator Grant: Applicants will be eligible to apply between 5 and 15 years after defending their PhD.
In a new document published on 15 September, ERC President Maria Leptin explains the changes, the reasoning behind them, and how they are designed to strengthen the ERC evaluation process.
For further information on these recent changes please also refer to respective News-entries on the Research Support’s Website:
- Details on the format of the scientific proposal can be found here
- For further information on the adjustment of the eligibility windows please check out this post
