The European Research Council (ERC) was set up to support excellence in research through grants that tackle issues at the frontiers of existing knowledge. It provides flexible longer-term, portable funding, and independence for researchers and their teams to pursue ambitious research.
Information
ERC projects should target a scientific, not a societal challenge. The ERC is looking for projects that are non-incremental and instead make a great scientific leap forward, with an understanding that this will imply a degree of risk. Unlike other funding instruments, the ERC’s focus is exclusively on scientific excellence. Societal relevance or impact are not evaluated.
If you are looking for funding for scientifically or curiosity-driven, ambitious projects, this is the grant for you.
Objectives and Principles of ERC Funding
The ERC strives to achieve the following objectives:
- to promote scientific excellence in research by funding ground-breaking, high-risk, and ambitious frontier research;
- to attract the best talent and skill to Europe, to support early-career researchers, and to promote exchange of ideas and knowledge;
- to increase Europe’s competitiveness in the international research arena.
To achieve the abovementioned objectives, the ERC has established a competitive peer review and funding model that subscribes, among other, to the following core principles:
- scientific excellence at the heart of the evaluation process;
- openness to researchers of any age, nationality, gender, career stage, and research field, residing in any country in the world at the time of application;
- autonomy and independence of researchers and their teams to pursue frontier research;
- acknowledging the diversity of applicants and their research career paths;
- commitment to open science, including open access to the published output of research, as well as access to research data and related products.
Main ERC Grants
The ERC supports research via the following main frontier research grant schemes: Starting Grant, Consolidator Grant, Advanced Grant, ERC Plus Grant, and Synergy Grant. It also provides further funding for ERC grant holders through its Proof of Concept Grant scheme.
The eligibility condition, duration and funding amounts of the five grant main grant types are as follows: 
Support for applicants
University of Twente (UT) researchers considering an application for ERC grants can rely on comprehensive, professional assistance throughout the entire application process, from preparation to grant award. The SBD-Grants Office of the UT is dedicated to providing a range of services designed to support researchers in their pursuit of ERC funding.
Services Offered by the SBD-Grants Office (GO):
1. Up-to-Date Information and News
Stay informed with the latest updates and news on ERC grants through the SBD Grants Office Support Hub [HEU] ERC Channel. This resource provides timely information and insights to help researchers navigate the ERC application process effectively.
2. Online Comparison Session
The GO periodically offers an online session that compares the ERC grant with a similar grant from the NWO Talent Scheme, specifically the Vidi grant. This session helps researchers orientate themselves and decide which grant is a better fit for their profile and is an excellent opportunity to gain insights and ask questions about the application process. Interested staff can register for this session via the UT Centre for Training & Development (CTD) website.
3. Recorded Information Session
The GO provides an in-depth, recorded information session that dives into the ERC funding instrument and grant application process. These sessions are redone whenever important changes with the ERC programme take place. This recording is available to any UT researcher interested in applying for an ERC grant, providing valuable insights and guidance.
4. Yearly In-Person ERC Workshop
Each year, the GO hosts an in-person workshop for ERC Starting and Consolidator applicants. Registration for this workshop is managed by GO staff. Only applicants that are committed to submitting an ERC proposal for the next available call, are allowed to join. The workshop is given in collaboration with an external consultant and offers a hands-on approach to refining proposals and enhancing chances of success.
5. Personalized Support at Proposal Development Stage
Researchers receive tailored support during the proposal development stage, including pre-application decision consultation meetings, idea discussions, idea pitches, and feedback on proposals. This personalized assistance helps applicants develop well-crafted and competitive proposals.
6. Personalized Support at Interview Stage
The GO provides individual meetings and mock interviews to help researchers prepare for the ERC interview stage. Multiples consultants are brought in to help with both content preparation and presentation skills. Since the ERC interviews are online, the GO enlists the expertise of the UT’s professional video team and the provides access to the UT’s video studios for both trainings and the actual interviews. This support is essential for covering the wide range of questions applicants can expect, but also for building confidence and for developing an effective strategy of message delivery.
7. Facilitation of External Services
The GO facilitates connections with external experts to enhance ERC applications. Making use of these services is dependent on applicants obtaining financial backing from their faculty/department/group. These external services include:
- External Grant Consultants: Available for specialized advice and expertise during both the proposal preparation phase and interview preparation.
- Graphic Designers: They assist in enhancing the visual presentation of proposals, ensuring they are professional and impactful.
- Language Editors: They focus on making proposals clear, concise, and free of language errors.
8. Delivery of Host Institution Letter
The GO assists in the delivery of the Host Institution letter, a critical component of the ERC application that confirms the university's support for the researcher's project. This letter can only be delivered if the applicant shows evidence of support from the Portfolio Holder (vice-dean) Research of their faculty.
9. Post-Award Support
For researchers who are awarded ERC grants, the GO provides support for the preparation and signing of the Grant Agreement, ensuring a smooth transition to the project implementation phase.
By leveraging these services, UT researchers can enhance their chances of securing ERC funding and advancing their research careers. The GO is committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help researchers succeed in their ERC applications.
Support Note
To benefit from these services, potential applicants are required to first engage with their faculty's procedures for obtaining support, including financial backing. It is also important to involve the faculty contract/finance office in preparing the budget for the application.
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