European Research Council (ERC)

The ERC aims to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields.

The ERC funds ground-breaking frontier research projects across all fields of science to support European leadership in world-class research. Support is given to outstanding Principal Investigators (PI) based on the scientific excellence (PIs past achievements and proposed project proposal) only.

- Starting Grant for researchers from 2-7 years post PhD.
- Consolidator Grant for researchers from 7-12 years post PhD.
- Advanced Grant for established research leaders.
- Synergy Grant for 2-4 PIs with complimentary background.

-Proof of Concept Grant for PIs in ongoing or recently ended above ERC grants.

Note: Eligibility can be extended under certain circumstances, such as for maternity/paternity leave, clinical training, military service and long-term illness.

Key Information

Swiss eligibility:

Swiss-based researchers eligible for the ERC AdG 2024, ERC StG 2025, ERC SyG 2025 and ERC CoG 2025.

As a non-EU country, Switzerland has started negotiations for association to Horizon Europe. Currently, Switzerland has the status of a third country, but the transitional measure for 2024 that SERI has put in place with the EU allows Swiss-based researchers to apply for the ERC Advanced Grant 2024. Due to progress in the negotiations, the EU has decided to extend the participation of Swiss researchers as 'Beneficiaries' in the ERC Starting Grant 2025, Synergy Grant 2025, Consolidator Grant 2025, and Proof of Concept 2025 calls.

For the latest information on the status of Switzerland please consult the website of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

Horizon Europe funding + tender opportunities:

Calls

Type of actions:

Bottom-up projects