European Research Council (ERC) funding for excellent researchers

The ERC supports high-risk research projects, led by Principal Investigators (PIs) with internationally relevant curricula. Projects are funded on the basis of project ideas submitted by researchers, in any field of science, without predefined research topics, and evaluated on the basis of scientific excellence only.

Watch the video "Step by step to ERC Grants"

The different schemes

• Starting Grant (StG) - It is aimed at researchers of any nationality, emerging research leaders, with 2-7 years of experience gained after obtaining a PhD (or another equivalent degree). The ideal candidate is a talented early-career scientist who has already produced excellent supervised work and who is ready to work independently and to be a future research leader. Starting Grants may be awarded up to € 1.5 million for a period of 5 years.
• Consolidator Grant (CoG) - It is intended for researchers of any nationality with 7-12 years of experience gained after obtaining a PhD (or another equivalent degree) and with a very promising scientific curriculum. It is aimed at researchers wishing to consolidate their research independence by creating a research group and continuing to develop a successful career in Europe. Consolidator Grants may be awarded up to € 2 million for a period of 5 years.
• Advanced Grant (AdG) - Enables outstanding and established research leaders of any age and nationality to carry out innovative and high-risk projects that open new directions in their respective research context and other related fields. The candidates are expected to be active researchers who have a track-record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years. Principal Investigators should be exceptional leaders in terms of originality and significance of their research contributions. No specific eligibility criteria with respect to the academic requirements are foreseen. Advanced Grants may be awarded up to € 2.5 million for a period of 5 years
• Synergy Grant (SyG) - It promotes substantial advances in the frontier of knowledge and encourages new lines of research and new methodologies and techniques. It is aimed at groups of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) working together and bringing different skills and resources to tackle ambitious research problems. Synergy Grants can be up to a maximum of € 10 million for a period of 6 years
• Proof of Concept (PoC) - It aims to ensure the connection between fundamental research and the market. The scheme is aimed at researchers who have already obtained ERC funding and who have a project still in progress or completed no more than 12 months from the date of publication of the call. The beneficiaries have access to a contribution of 150.000 euros for 18 months.

Your ERC Grant with UNIBO as Host Institution​

UNIBO, can be the Host Institution of your ERC project (StG, CoG or AdG) even if you have not yet a position in UNIBO. You have the possibility to propose your idea and CV to one of our Departments and take advantage of the opportunities that UNIBO offers to support your participation in ERC calls.

In the pre-award phase you will receive support to:

• verify the requirements and eligibility criteria, check the possible presence of conditions that allow the extension of the eligibility window (maternity/paternity leave, long-term illness, etc.) and to identify the best timing to apply, based on your CV and project idea
• fill-out the on-line administrative forms
• set the project budget and manage financial aspects
• analyze transversal topics (ethics self-assestment, open science, etc.)
• review the scientific proposal described in part B1 and B2 of the template
• prepare the final interview, in case of positive outcome of the first step of evaluation, through the organization of tailored mock interviews and through the involvement in a dedicated training path.

In the post-award phase you will receive support to:

Manage the GAP (Grant Agreement Preparation) phase, and the administrative and financial aspects (reporting periods, audits amendments, etc.), through the recruitment of a project manager who will provide assistance during the whole implementation phase.

Direct recruitment

In Italy, aspiring university professors must achieve the "Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale," a national qualification that evaluates their research and teaching capabilities. Academic positions are typically filled through public selection processes, involving CV assessment and interview. Success in these processes leads to appointments as assistant, associate, or full professors. However, in compliance with the national law (Ministerial Decree No. 919 of 22-07-2022), UNIBO can opt for the direct recruitment of ERC grantees, giving Principal Investigators the possibility to be enrolled directly as tenure track assistant professor, associate or full professor

Salary supplement

The University of Bologna offers to ERC a salary top-up defined by an internal regulation.