Towards an ERC Starting Grant: from promising idea to competitive proposal

Online workshop

The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) mERCury,  for the European Research Council (ERC), is organising an online event for researchers interested in the Starting Grant.

The event will guide participants from shaping a truly “groundbreaking” idea to understanding the evaluation process of the European Research Council (ERC).

AGENDA

• 10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and mERCury project presentation
• 10:10 – 11:10 Session 1: What makes a Starting Grant project ERC-level? – moderated by Katarzyna Kubica-Oroń ERC NCP 

  Inputs from ERC grantees and Ambassador for ERC:
  Prof. Mihaela Constantinescu, Prof. Anna Siekierka, Prof. Michal Smetana, Prof. Carlos Anerillas Aljama

• 11:10 – 11:20 Q&A 
• 11:20 – 12:20 Session 2: How is an ERC Starting Grant proposal evaluated? – moderated by Antonino Puglisi ERC NCP
  
  Proposal structure, CV and track record, evaluation process – Olympe Grandcolas Co-Call Coordinator for the ERC Starting Grant
  
  Panel discussion with ERC panel members: How panels assess the PI: potential of scientific independence. What makes a proposal stand out positively? What are the most common weaknesses?
  Prof. Zoi Lygerou, Prof. Mike Burton, Prof. Corinna Rossi
• 12:20-12:30 Q&A

Registration will be open until 25 June 2026

Key information about the application process, including budget, project duration, evaluation criteria and additional requirements.

A valuable opportunity to better align your proposal with ERC expectations!