Who can apply?
The ERC Consolidator Grant supports excellent Principal Investigators who are consolidating their own independent research team or research programme. Applicants should already have demonstrated research independence.
Researchers of any nationality may apply. For the ERC Consolidator Grant 2027, applicants must have successfully defended their first PhD between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021, inclusive. The eligibility period may be extended in duly documented cases, such as maternity, paternity or parental leave, long-term illness or clinical training.
A researcher may be the Principal Investigator of only one ERC Consolidator Grant during their career. Other application and resubmission restrictions may apply.
Host Institution
The project must be hosted by an eligible legal entity established in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. The Host Institution must provide suitable conditions for the PI to independently lead the research and manage the funding.
The PI does not need to be employed by the Host Institution when submitting the proposal. However, a Host Institution support letter is required at submission.
Budget and duration
Researchers can request up to €2 million for five years. The standard maximum is reduced proportionally for shorter projects.
Applicants based in an EU Member State or an associated country may request up to €1 million in additional funding for further eligible costs necessary to implement the project.
Applicants based in non-associated third countries at the call deadline who relocate to an EU Member State or an associated country to take up the grant may request up to €2 million in additional funding. All additional funding must be justified.
What kind of research?
The ERC funds ambitious, original and ground-breaking frontier research across all disciplines, including life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.
Applications follow a bottom-up approach, without predetermined thematic priorities.
Evaluation criteria
Scientific excellence is the sole evaluation criterion, assessed for both the research project and the Principal Investigator through international peer review.
Call opening and deadline
The ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 call opened on 24 September 2026.
The submission deadline is 12 January 2027.
How to apply?
Applications must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Applicants should carefully read the ERC Work Programme 2027, the Information for Applicants to the Starting and Consolidator Grant 2027 Calls, and the application templates. These are available via the ERC Consolidator Grant webpage.
Contact your Host Institution early and seek guidance from your National Contact Point on ERC rules, proposal preparation and the application process.