Call window open ERC Starting Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-StG): grants for early-career researchers (Horizon Europe)
The ERC-2027-StG call has €594 million for around 373 grants of up to €1.5 million over 5 years. Researchers from any field can apply, provided they completed their PhD in the 10 years before 1 January 2027 and are hosted in the EU or an associated country. Deadline: 14 October 2026.
- Who can apply
- Researchers of any nationality, from any field, who obtained their PhD in the 10 years before 1…
- Total budget
- 594 million
- Funding amount
- Up to 1.5 million
- Submission period
- 22 Jul 2026 – 14 Oct 2026
Checked against official sources on · funder: European Research Council · official source
The call window is open. The time left until the deadline decides whether we can still build your application in time, so call today.
Who can apply
Researchers of any nationality, from any field, who obtained their PhD in the 10 years before 1 January 2027, that is, between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2026. The period can be extended in documented situations: maternity, paternity or parental leave, illness, military service, clinical training, natural disasters, asylum or gender-based violence. The principal investigator works at least 50% of their time on the project and at least 50% of their time in an EU Member State or an associated country. The activity takes place in a public or private research organisation in the EU or an associated country. Those who have already received a Starting Grant cannot apply.
What it covers
- Frontier research in any field, with no imposed themes
- The project's eligible direct costs, 100%
- Indirect costs, through a 25% flat rate
- Start-up costs, major equipment and access to large infrastructures, with up to a further €1 million
- Additional costs for researchers moving to the EU from a non-associated third country (up to €2 million)
Apply in the current call window
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
Until when can you apply to ERC Starting Grant 2027?
The ERC-2027-StG call opened on 22 July 2026, and the submission deadline is 14 October 2026. Applications are submitted online via the European Commission's Funding & Tenders portal.
How much does an ERC Starting Grant 2027 project receive?
Up to €1.5 million over 5 years. You can request up to a further €1 million for start-up costs, major equipment or access to large infrastructures, or up to €2 million if the researcher moves to the EU from a non-associated third country. The ERC covers 100% of eligible direct costs, plus a 25% flat rate for indirect costs.
Who can apply for the ERC Starting Grant 2027?
Researchers of any nationality, in any field, who obtained their PhD in the 10 years before 1 January 2027, that is, between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2026. The period can be extended for maternity, paternity, child-rearing, illness, military service, clinical training, natural disasters, asylum or gender-based violence. The project must be hosted by an organisation in an EU Member State or an associated country.
What is the budget of the ERC Starting Grant 2027 call?
The total budget is €594 million. It is estimated to fund approximately 373 grants.
Can I submit several ERC projects in 2027?
No. Under the ERC 2027 work programme, you can submit only one project to the main ERC calls, and an applicant can have only one project under evaluation at a time. The only exception is the Proof of Concept calls.
Who cannot apply to ERC Starting Grant 2027 after a rejection?
Those who received score C at step 1 in the StG, CoG or AdG calls of 2025 or 2026 cannot apply, nor can those who received score B at step 1 in the StG, CoG or AdG calls of 2026. In addition, a researcher can receive only one Starting Grant in their entire career.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
Apply in the current call window — ERC Starting Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-StG): grants for early-career researchers (Horizon Europe)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
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