ERC Work Programme 2019 - Uni Trier
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(European Commission C(2018) 5200 of 6 September 2018)
ERC Work
Programme
2019
Notice: Please note that until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, when it comes to rights and obligations; this includes
the eligibility of UK legal entities to fully participate and receive funding in Horizon 2020 actions such as those called for in this work programme. Please be
aware however that the eligibility criteria must be complied with for the entire duration of the grant. If the UK withdraws from the EU during the grant
period without concluding an agreement with the EU ensuring in particular that British applicants continue to be eligible, they will no longer be eligible to
receive EU funding and their participation may be terminated on the basis of Article 50 of the grant agreement.
1|PageWho should read this document?
This document is the annual Work Programme for the European Research Council funded by
the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. It is
the legal document which sets out how the ERC will allocate its funding for the corresponding
year. It is established by the Scientific Council of the ERC and subsequently adopted by the
European Commission.
Principal Investigators who wish to apply to one of the ERC’s calls will need to apply
through the Participants Portal. This contains all the information necessary for applying to
each ERC call as well as details of your National Contact Point who can provide information
and personalised support in your native language at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html
Potential applicants, and those interested in more information on the ERC in general can find
out more, including the background to the ERC’s mission and organisation, a description of
the main funding schemes, a step by step guide to applying to the ERC and details of funded
projects here:
http://erc.europa.eu/
2|PageSummary of main features in 2019
The four main ERC frontier research grants will be available under Work Programme 2019:
Starting; Consolidator; Advanced; and Synergy Grants. ERC Principal Investigators will
continue to be able to apply for Proof of Concept Grants.
This Work Programme introduces the possibility for one Principal Investigator in a Synergy
Grant Group to be based anywhere in the world, including outside the territory of the
European Union (EU) Member States and Associated Countries.
In addition, Work Programme 2019 will pilot the award of Proof of Concept grants on the
basis of a lump sum of EUR 150 000.
Restrictions on applications will apply to the 2019 calls based on the outcome of the
evaluation of previous calls – see restrictions on submission of proposals under “Eligibility
criteria” below.
3|PageIndicative summary of main calls from the 2019 budget1
Starting Consolidator Advanced Proof of Concept
Synergy
Grant Grant Grant Grant
Grant
Call identifier ERC-2019-StG ERC-2019-CoG ERC-2019-AdG ERC-2019-SyG ERC-2019-PoC
Call Opens 14/09/2018 24/10/2018 21/05/2019 14/09/2018 16/10/2018
22/01/2019
Call closes
(cut-off dates for 17/10/2018 07/02/2019 29/08/2019 08/11/2018 25/04/2019
PoC)
19/09/2019
1
These opening dates and cut-off dates are indicative. The Director of the European Research Council Executive Agency may open it up to one month prior to or after the
envisaged opening date. The Director may delay the envisaged deadline by up to two months. The budget amounts for 2019 are subject to the availability of the
appropriations provided for in the draft budget for 2019 after the adoption of the budget for 2019 by the budgetary authority or if the budget is not adopted as provided
for in the system of provisional twelfths.
4|PageStarting Consolidator Advanced Proof of Concept
Synergy
Grant Grant Grant Grant
Grant
Budget million EUR
(estimated number of 580 (390) 602 (314) 391 (166) 400 (48) 25 (167)
grants)
12/04/2019 02/05/2019
Planned dates to
22/05/2019 23/07/2019 31/01/2020
inform applicants
30/08/2019 25/07/2019
(after each step or
28/08/2019 18/12/2019 17/04/2020
cut-off date)
31/10/2019 18/12/2019
Indicative date for 09/09/2019
signature of grant
agreements 05/01/2020 26/04/2020 25/08/2020 09/03/2020 02/12/2019
(by cut-off date for
PoC) 26/04/2020
5|PageTable of contents
Who should read this document? 2
Summary of main features in 2019 3
Indicative summary of main calls from the 2019 budget 4
Objectives and Principles of ERC Funding 7
ERC Frontier Research Grants 13
- Funding rates 14
- Eligibility criteria 15
- Starting Grant profile 21
- Consolidator Grant profile 23
- Advanced Grant profile 25
- Synergy Grant profile 28
- Proposal submission and description 30
- Evaluation procedure and criteria 33
Proof of Concept Grants 39
Other Actions 46
Indicative Budget 50
Annexes 52
1. Primary panel structure and description 53
2. ERC policy on PhD and equivalent doctoral degrees 56
3. Countries associated to Horizon 2020 and restrictions applying to 58
some legal entities established in certain third countries
Early Detection Exclusion System (EDES) 59
6|PageObjectives and
Principles of
ERC Funding
7|PageThe fundamental activity of the ERC is to The ERC puts particular emphasis on the
provide attractive, long-term funding to frontiers of science, scholarship and
support excellent investigators and their engineering. In particular, it encourages
research teams to pursue ground- proposals of a multi- or interdisciplinary
breaking, high-gain/high-risk research. nature which cross the boundaries
between different fields of research,
Research funded by the ERC is expected to
pioneering proposals addressing new and
lead to advances at the frontiers of
emerging fields of research or
knowledge and to set a clear and
proposals introducing unconventional,
inspirational target for frontier research
innovative approaches and scientific
across Europe.
inventions.
Scientific excellence is the sole Independent researchers of any age
criterion on the basis of which ERC and career stage can apply for
frontier research grants are attractive long-term funding
awarded
The ERC awards funding to excellent
The evaluation of ERC grant applications is investigators looking to set up or
conducted by peer review panels consolidate their own independent
composed of renowned scientists and research team or programme, as well as to
scholars selected by the ERC Scientific already established research leaders.
Council. The panels may be assisted by
independent experts working remotely. The ERC awards flexible, long-term
funding for a period of up to five years for
The ERC's peer review evaluation process the Starting, Consolidator and Advanced
has been carefully designed to identify Grants and up to six years for the Synergy
scientific excellence irrespective of the Grants. The Scientific Council will review
gender, age, nationality or institution of funding conditions regularly to make sure
the Principal Investigator and other that grants remain competitive both at
potential biases, and to take career European and international level.
breaks, as well as unconventional research
career paths, into account. The The maximum grant varies by grant type.
evaluations are monitored to guarantee An ERC grant can cover up to 100% of the
transparency, fairness and impartiality in total eligible direct costs of the research
the treatment of proposals. ERC calls are plus a contribution towards indirect costs.
expected to be competitive.
ERC grants are portable2 as described in
Applications can be made in any the ERC Model Grant Agreement.
field of research
2
Portability means that the Principal Investigator
The ERC's frontier research grants operate may request to transfer the entire grant or part of
it to a new beneficiary, under specific conditions
on a 'bottom-up' basis without
included in the ERC Model Grant Agreement. These
predetermined priorities.
8|PageThe ERC aims to use procedures that The ERC frontier research grants
maintain the focus on excellence, aim to empower individual
encourage initiative and combine
researchers and provide the best
simplicity and flexibility with
accountability. The ERC is continuously
settings to foster their creativity
looking for further ways to improve its The Starting, Consolidator and Advanced
procedures in order to ensure that these Grants will support projects carried out by
principles are met. individual teams which are headed by a
single Principal Investigator. ERC Synergy
Principal Investigators from
Grants will support small groups of two to
anywhere in the world can apply four Principal Investigators and their
for an ERC grant teams with a designated Corresponding
Principal Investigator. The constitution of
ERC grants are open to researchers of any
the research teams is flexible. Depending
nationality who may reside in any country
on the nature of a project the research
in the world at the time of the application.
team may involve team members from
The ERC is particularly keen to other research organisations situated in
encourage excellent proposals the same or a different country (see
from Principal Investigators based "Eligible host institution" below). The
outside Europe who wish to carry nature of the collaboration within an ERC
out a project with a host institution Synergy Group is expected to be
in the EU or in one of the fundamentally different from that of a
Associated Countries. network or consortium of undertakings,
universities, research centres or other
legal entities (see "Synergy Grant profile"
However the host institution must be
below).
established in an EU Member State or
Associated Country, although one of the
The ERC supports individual
Principal Investigators in a Synergy Grant
Principal Investigators. Support for
Group3 or, in certain conditions, team consortia is provided by other calls
members may be based outside of the EU under Horizon 2020.
or an Associated Country (see “Eligible
host institution” below).
Host institutions must provide
appropriate conditions for the
Principal Investigator(s) to
independently direct the research
and manage its funding
conditions may include provisions for the transfer
of equipment purchased and used exclusively for
the implementation of the project. An ERC grant is awarded to the institution
3
See "Profile of the Synergy Grant Group" below. that engages and hosts the Principal
9|PageInvestigator(s)4. Grants are awarded to the apply for funding independently;
host institution with the explicit
commitment that this institution offers manage the research and the
appropriate conditions for the Principal funding for the project and make
Investigator(s) to independently manage appropriate resource allocation
the ERC funded research. decisions;
In the case of Synergy Grants, where the publish independently as main
different Principal Investigators may be author and include as co-authors
hosted by more than one host institution, only those who have contributed
each of the host institutions shall offer substantially to the reported work;
their support to the Principal supervise the work of the team
Investigator(s) hosted by them for the members, including doctoral
duration of the grant. At submission stage, candidates or others;
however, only the Corresponding Host
Institution must provide the host support have access to appropriate space
letter for the Corresponding Principal and facilities for conducting the
Investigator. The host institutions must research.
engage the Principal Investigators for at
Public or private institutions, including
least the duration of the grant.
universities, research organisations and
The conditions5 offered by the host undertakings can host the Principal
institution or institutions, including the Investigator and his or her team as long as
'portability' of the grant, are the subject of the principles indicated above are
a supplementary agreement between the respected and the Principal Investigator is
Principal Investigator(s) and the host not constrained by the research strategy
institution(s)6 and must ensure that the of the entity.
Principal Investigator is able to:
The ERC welcomes
applications from Principal
4
Normally the Principal Investigator will be Investigators hosted by
employed by the Host Institution, but cases where, private for-profit research
for duly justified reasons, the Principal centres, including industrial
Investigator's employer cannot become the host
laboratories.
institution, or where the Principal Investigator is
self-employed, can be accommodated. The specific
conditions of engagement will be subject to
clarification and approval during the granting Host institutions are expected to make all
procedure or during the amendment procedure for
a change of host institution.
appropriate efforts to provide the
5
These conditions are consistent with “The conditions to attract and retain scientists
European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code and scholars of the calibre to be awarded
of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”.
6
This is supplementary to the ERC Grant an ERC grant, within the framework
Agreement and is described in the ERC Model
Grant Agreement.
10 | P a g eprovided by the ERC Model Grant preservation of the research data
Agreement and any other available generated during the ERC funded research
administrative and legal possibilities. work.
Open access Beneficiaries should carefully check the
additional obligations related to open
The ERC supports the principle of open research data contained in Article 29.3.
access to the published output of They may opt-out of the provisions of the
research, including in particular peer- previous paragraph at any stage, thereby
reviewed articles and monographs, as a freeing themselves retroactively from the
fundamental part of its mission. It also associated obligations.
supports the basic principle of open access
to research data and data related products Gender Balance
such as computer code. The ERC considers
Under Horizon 2020, beneficiaries of ERC
that providing free online access to all
grants must take all measures to promote
these materials can be the most effective
equal opportunities between men and
way of ensuring that the fruits of the
women in the implementation of the
research it funds can be accessed, read
action and aim for a gender balance at all
and used as the basis for further research.
levels of personnel assigned to the action,
Under Horizon 2020, beneficiaries of ERC as set out in the Horizon 2020 ERC Model
grants must ensure open access to all Grant Agreement. ERC Principal
peer-reviewed scientific publications7 Investigators should also determine the
relating to their results as set out in Article relevance of integrating sex and gender
29.2 of the ERC Model Grant Agreement. analysis into their research. Specific
activities promoting equal opportunities
In addition, beneficiaries of ERC frontier
or gender balance or covering the gender
research grants funded under this Work
dimension of research funded by the ERC
Programme will automatically be covered
can be considered as eligible costs where
by the provisions on research data sharing
these costs are necessary for the
as set out in Article 29.3 of the ERC Model
implementation of the action.
Grant Agreement unless they specifically
decide to opt-out. In particular, Ethical principles
beneficiaries that do not opt-out will be
required to submit a data management The proposed research and innovation
plan within the first six months of project activities shall comply with ethical
implementation. These provisions are principles and relevant national, Union
designed to facilitate access, re-use and and international legislation, including the
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
7 European Union and the European
This includes peer-reviewed long-text
publications such as monographs, book chapters, Convention on Human Rights and its
edited collections, critical editions, scholarly Supplementary Protocols. Particular
exhibition catalogues, or PhD theses.
attention shall be paid to the principle of
11 | P a g eproportionality, the right to privacy, the institution, reduction of the grant and
right to the protection of personal data, suspension or termination of grants.
the right to the physical and mental
However, the host institutions that engage
integrity of a person, the right to non-
and host ERC Principal Investigators have
discrimination and the need to ensure
the primary responsibility for the
high levels of human health protection.
detection of scientific misconduct and for
The proposed research and innovation
the investigation, and adjudication of any
activities shall have an exclusive focus on
breaches of research integrity that may
civil applications.
arise. Therefore host institutions are
Funding of human embryonic stem cell expected to have working structures in
research is possible within the ethical place to uphold research integrity and to
framework defined in the Horizon 2020 make all appropriate efforts to verify
Framework Programme for Research and that no allegations of scientific misconduct
Innovation 2014 – 20208. are pending against any Principal
Investigator applying for or participating in
Research Integrity an ERC grant and to bring to the attention
of the ERC any such allegations or cases of
It is essential to maintain and promote a
scientific misconduct.
culture of research integrity at all stages of
the evaluation and granting process to The ERC applies the same rigour to
make ERC competitions fair and efficient ensuring that its evaluation process is
and to maintain the trust of both the governed by principles of research
scientific community and society as a integrity, in particular through rules on
whole. confidentiality and conflict of interest.
Cases of scientific misconduct such as
fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or
misrepresentation of data that may arise
during the evaluation or throughout the
life cycle of an ERC funded project will be
addressed vigorously by the ERC within
the applicable legal and procedural
framework. Any breach of research
integrity by Principal Investigators or
beneficiaries may be sanctioned by
measures such as the rejection of
proposals from evaluation, requests for
measures to be taken by the host
8
As set out in Commission Declaration 2013/C
373/02 of 20 December 2013.
12 | P a g eERC Frontier
Research Grants
13 | P a g eFunding rates
Maximum size of grant and grant Union Contribution
assessment
The Union financial contribution will take
The maximum grant varies by grant type. the form of the reimbursement of up to
100% of the total eligible and approved
During the peer review evaluation, direct costs and of flat-rate financing of
evaluation panels will assess the funding indirect costs on the basis of 25% of the
requested by the applicant, including any total eligible direct costs10. The level of the
request for additional funding for major awarded grant represents a maximum
costs (see “Size of ERC Grants” under each overall figure – the final amount to be paid
profile below), against the needs of the must be justified on the basis of the costs
project before making any actually incurred for the project.
recommendation for funding.
Call budgets
The funding requested must be fully
justified by an estimation of the real For the Starting, Consolidator, Advanced
project cost. The panels may suggest and Synergy Grant calls an indicative
modifications to the indicative budgetary budget will be allocated to each panel in
breakdown in the application, particularly proportion to the budgetary demand of its
where they consider funding requests to assigned proposals.
be not properly justified. In such cases
they shall explain in writing any such
suggested modification.
The Principal Investigator will have the
freedom to modify the budgetary
breakdown during the course of the
project. Requests to modify the budgetary
breakdown of additional extraordinary
costs9 may be accepted only provided that
such modifications remain within the
objectives for which the additional funding
was awarded.
10
Excluding the direct costs for subcontracting and
the costs of resources made available by third
9
As defined in the section on the size of the grant parties which are not used on the premises of the
under the relevant frontier research grant profile. host institution.
14 | P a g eEligibility criteria
Eligible proposals Eligible Principal Investigator(s)
All proposals must be complete and The ERC actions are open to researchers of
submitted by eligible Principal any nationality who intend to conduct
Investigators as defined below before the their research activity in any Member
relevant call deadline. A complete State or Associated Country. Principal
proposal needs to include all parts or Investigators may be of any age and
sections (see “Proposal submission and nationality and may reside in any country
description” below). Incomplete proposals in the world at the time of the application.
may be declared ineligible.
However Principal Investigators funded
The content of the proposal must relate to through the ERC frontier research grants
the objectives and to the grant type set shall spend a minimum percentage of
out in the call, as defined in this Work their working time in an EU Member State
Programme. A proposal will only be or Associated Country13 and a minimum
deemed ineligible on grounds of ‘scope’ in percentage of their working time on the
clear-cut cases. ERC project (see "Eligible Host Institution"
and the profiles of the Principal
Where there is a doubt on the eligibility of
Investigator for each frontier research
a proposal, the peer review evaluation
grant below).
may proceed pending a decision following
an eligibility review committee11. If it Starting, Consolidator, Advanced and
becomes clear before, during or after the Synergy Grant proposals are submitted by
peer review evaluation phase, that one or the Principal Investigator(s) taking
more of the eligibility criteria has not been scientific responsibility for the project, on
met, the proposal will be declared behalf of the host institution. There are
ineligible and not considered any further. specific eligibility criteria for a Principal
Investigator applying to the Starting or
Eligible Scientific Fields Consolidator Grants based on the date of
award of his or her first PhD (or equivalent
All scientific fields are eligible for ERC
funding12. doctoral degree14) as below. This
submitted to relevant calls under the Euratom
Framework Programme.
11 13
For further information see applicable ERC rules With the exception specified under "Expected
for submission and evaluation which can be found time commitment of the Synergy Grant Principal
on the Horizon 2020 Participant Portal. Investigators" below.
12 14
Research proposals within the scope of Annex I See ERC Scientific Council's note on 'PhD and
to the Euratom Treaty, namely those directed Equivalent Doctoral Degrees' at Annex 2, including
towards nuclear energy applications, shall be specific provisions for holders of medical degrees.
15 | P a g e“streaming” allows applicants to be
compared with researchers at a similar
career stage.
No specific eligibility criteria are foreseen
for individual Principal Investigators
applying for the ERC Advanced and ERC
Synergy Grants (see ERC Advanced Grant
and ERC Synergy Grant profiles below),
however groups of Principal Investigators
applying for the ERC Synergy Grant must
fulfill the conditions specified under
"Profile of the ERC Synergy Grant Group".
16 | P a g eStarting Grant Consolidator Grant Advanced Grant
and Synergy Grant
Specific Principal Investigator Principal Investigator none
Eligibility shall have been shall have been
awarded his or her awarded his or her
Criteria
first PhD first PhD
> 2 and ≤ 7 years > 7 and ≤ 12 years
prior to 1 January prior to 1 January
2019 2019
Cut-off dates: Cut-off dates:
PhD awarded from 1 PhD awarded from 1
January 2012 to 31 January 2007 to 31
December 2016 December 2011
(inclusive) (inclusive)
The reference date towards the calculation of the eligibility period should be the date of the
actual award according to the national rules in the country where the degree was awarded.
However, the effective elapsed time since the award of the first PhD15 taken into
consideration for eligibility (EETE) can be reduced in the following properly documented
circumstances provided they started before the call deadline. For all circumstances which
take into account documented amount of leave taken or training received, the time to be
subtracted from the EETE may not exceed the amount of time between the start date of the
documented circumstance and the call deadline.
For maternity, the EETE will be considered reduced by 18 months or if longer by the
documented amount of leave actually taken for each child born before or after the PhD
award. For paternity, the EETE will be considered reduced by the documented amount of
paternity leave actually taken for each child born before or after the PhD award.
For long-term illness16, or national service the EETE will be considered reduced by the
documented amount of leave actually taken by the Principal Investigator for each incident
which occurred after the PhD award.
15
For applicants whose first eligible degree is their MD such incidents can be considered from the date of the
completion of their MD degree.
16
Over ninety days for the Principal Investigator or a close family member (child, spouse, parent or sibling).
17 | P a g eFor clinical training, the EETE will be considered reduced by the documented amount of
clinical training actually received by the Principal Investigator after the award of the first
eligible degree, and by up to 4 years maximum.
Eligible Host Institution Countries in order to achieve the scientific
objectives of the project/activity20.
The host institution (Applicant Legal
Entity17) must engage and host18 the It is also expected that the host institution
Principal Investigator for at least the will be the only participating legal entity in
duration of the project, as defined in the the case of a Starting, Consolidator or
grant agreement. It must either be Advanced Grant. In a Synergy Grant up to
established in an EU Member State or four Host Institutions could engage a
Associated Country as a legal entity Principal Investigator, and one of these
created under national law, or it may be Host Institutions at any one time may be a
an International European Interest legal entity established outside the
Organisation (such as CERN, EMBL, etc.), European Union or Associated Countries
the European Commission's Joint Research or an international organisation.
Centre (JRC) or any other entity created
Where they bring scientific added value to
under EU law. Any type of legal entity,
the project, additional team members may
public or private, including universities,
also be hosted by additional legal
research organisations and undertakings
entities21 which may be established
can host Principal Investigators and their
anywhere, including outside the European
teams.
Union or Associated Countries, or
It is expected that the research project will international organisations.
be implemented within the territory of the
Legal entities established outside the
Member States or Associated Countries19.
European Union or Associated Countries
This does not exclude field work or other
shall be eligible for funding when they are
research activities in cases where these
one of the host institutions in a Synergy
must necessarily be conducted outside the
Grant at any one time22, or when they
European Union or the Associated
host additional team members, provided
that they are not covered by Council
17
Please see important information on possible
registration of economic operators in the
20
Commission's Early Detection and Exclusion Time spent on such field work or other research
System (EDES) on final page. activities may count as time spent in the EU or the
18
See footnote 4 above. Associated Countries for the purpose of the
19
With the exception of Synergy Grant projects Principal Investigator’s time commitments.
21
when a Principal Investigator is hosted or engaged Consortia agreements are not required for ERC
by an institution outside of the EU or Associated multi-beneficiary grants.
22
Countries (see "Profile of the ERC Synergy Grant See "Profile of the ERC Synergy Grant Group"
Group" below). below.
18 | P a g esanctions as set in Annex 3 to this Work A researcher participating as
Programme. Principal Investigator in an ERC
frontier research project may not
Other legal entities established outside
submit a proposal for another ERC
the European Union or Associated
frontier research grant, unless the
Countries shall be eligible for funding
existing project ends25 no more
provided that their participation is
than two years after the call
deemed essential for carrying out the
deadline;
action and that they are not covered by
Council sanctions as set in Annex 3 to this A Principal Investigator who is a
Work Programme. serving Panel Member for a 2019
ERC call or who served as a Panel
Please also refer to Annex 3 - Countries
Member for a 2017 ERC call may
Associated to Horizon 2020 and
not apply to a 2019 ERC call for the
Restrictions Applying to Some Legal
same type of grant26;
Entities Established in Certain Third
Countries. A Principal Investigator may submit
proposals to different ERC frontier
Restrictions on submission of research grant calls published
proposals under the same Work Programme,
but only the first eligible proposal
The ERC calls are highly competitive.
will be evaluated.
Thousands of high quality proposals are
received each year and only outstanding Further restrictions for submission under
proposals are likely to be funded. In order the ERC Work Programme 2019 are set
to maintain the quality and integrity of out in the table below. The Scientific
ERC’s evaluation process the Scientific Council may decide in the light of
Council decided to introduce restrictions experience that different or comparable
on applications from 2009. These restrictions will apply in subsequent
restrictions were extended from 2015. years.
The following restrictions apply: The restrictions related to the outcome of
the evaluation in previous calls are
A researcher may participate as designed to allow unsuccessful Principal
Principal Investigator23 in only one Investigators the time necessary to
ERC frontier research project at develop a stronger proposal.
any one time24;
23 25
Including all Principal Investigators supported According to the duration of the project fixed in
under the Synergy Grant. the previous frontier research grant agreement.
24 26
A new frontier research project can only start The members of the ERC panels alternate to
after the duration of the project fixed in a previous allow panel members to apply to the ERC calls in
frontier research grant agreement has ended. alternate years.
19 | P a g eThe year of an ERC call for proposals refers 2018 and will have 2018 in the call
to the Work Programme under which the identifier (for example ERC-2018-StG).
call was published and can be established
Ineligible or withdrawn proposals do not
by its call identifier. A 2018 ERC call for
count against any of the restrictions in the
proposals is therefore one that was
box below.
published under the Work Programme
Call to which the Principal Investigator applied Calls to which a Principal
under previous ERC Work Programmes and Investigator is not eligible
proposal evaluation outcome
2017 Starting, Consolidator, or Rejected on the 2019 Starting, Consolidator,
Advanced Grant grounds of a breach Advanced, and Synergy Grant
of research integrity
C at Step 1 2019 Starting, Consolidator, and
Advanced Grant
2018 Starting, Consolidator, or Rejected on the 2019 Starting, Consolidator,
Advanced Grant grounds of a breach Advanced, and Synergy Grant
of research integrity
A, or B at Step 2 No restriction
B at Step 1 2019 Starting, Consolidator, and
Advanced Grant
C at Step 1
2018 Synergy Grant Rejected on the 2019 Starting, Consolidator,
grounds of a breach Advanced, and Synergy Grant
of research integrity
A, or B at Step 3 No restriction
B at Step 1 or 2 Synergy Grant
C at Step 1 2019 Starting, Consolidator,
Advanced, and Synergy Grant
20 | P a g eStarting Grant profile
Objectives Profile of the ERC Starting Grant
Principal Investigator
ERC Starting Grants are designed to
support excellent Principal Investigators at The Principal Investigator shall have been
the career stage at which they are starting awarded their first PhD at least 2 and up
their own independent research team or to 7 years prior to 1 January 2019. The
programme. Applicant Principal effective elapsed time since the award of
Investigators must demonstrate the the first PhD can be reduced in certain
ground-breaking nature, ambition and properly documented circumstances (see
feasibility of their scientific proposal. “Eligible Principal Investigator” above).
Size of ERC Starting Grants A competitive Starting Grant Principal
Investigator must have already shown the
Starting Grants may be awarded up to a
potential for research independence and
maximum of EUR 1 500 000 for a period of
evidence of maturity, for example by
5 years27.
having produced at least one important
However, up to an additional EUR 500 000 publication as main author or without the
can be requested in the proposal to cover participation of their PhD supervisor.
the following additional extraordinary Applicant Principal Investigators should
costs: (a) eligible "start-up" costs for also be able to demonstrate a promising
Principal Investigators moving to the EU or track record of early achievements
an Associated Country from elsewhere as appropriate to their research field and
a consequence of receiving the ERC grant career stage, including significant
and/or (b) the purchase of major publications (as main author) in major
equipment and/or (c) access to large international peer-reviewed
facilities28. multidisciplinary scientific journals, or in
the leading international peer-reviewed
journals of their respective field. They may
also demonstrate a record of invited
presentations in well-established
international conferences, granted
patents, awards, prizes, etc.
27
The maximum award is reduced pro rata
temporis for projects of a shorter duration. This
does not apply to ongoing projects.
28
As any additional funding is to cover major one-
off costs it is not subject to pro rata temporis
reduction for projects of shorter duration. All
funding requested is assessed during evaluation.
21 | P a g eEarly achievements track record
In the Track record (see “Proposal description” below) the applicant Principal Investigator
should list (if applicable):
1. Up to five publications in major international peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary scientific
journals and/or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals, peer-reviewed
conferences proceedings and/or monographs of their respective research fields, highlighting
those as main author or without the presence as co-author of their PhD supervisor (properly
referenced, field relevant bibliometric indicators may also be included); preprints may be
included, if freely available from a preprint server (preprints should be properly referenced
and either a link to the preprint or a DOI should be provided).
2. Research monographs and any translations thereof;
3. Granted patent(s);
4. Invited presentations to internationally established conferences and/or international
advanced schools;
5. Prizes, awards, academy memberships.
Expected time commitment of the proposal description below), appropriate
Starting Grant Principal measures may be taken, up to and
including reduction of the grant and
Investigator
suspension or termination of grants in
Principal Investigators funded through ERC accordance with the grant agreement.
Starting Grants shall spend a minimum of
It is also expected that Principal
50% of their working time in an EU
Investigators will be able to start their
Member State or Associated Country and
project within six months of receiving an
a minimum of 50% of their working time
invitation letter from the ERC.
on the ERC project29.
Principal Investigators shall ensure a
sufficient time commitment and presence
throughout the course of the project to
guarantee its proper execution. The time
commitment will be monitored, and in
cases where the actual commitment is
below the minimum levels set out above,
or the levels indicated in the proposal (see
29
See "Eligible Host Institution" above regarding
field work.
22 | P a g eConsolidator Grant profile
Objectives Profile of the ERC Consolidator
Grant Principal Investigator
ERC Consolidator Grants are designed to
support excellent Principal Investigators at The Principal Investigator shall have been
the career stage at which they may still be awarded their first PhD over 7 and up to
consolidating their own independent 12 years prior to 1 January 2019. The
research team or programme. Applicant effective elapsed time since the award of
Principal Investigators must demonstrate the first PhD can be reduced in certain
the ground-breaking nature, ambition and properly documented circumstances (see
feasibility of their scientific proposal. “Eligible Principal Investigator” above).
Size of ERC Consolidator Grants A competitive Consolidator Grant Principal
Investigator must have already shown
Consolidator Grants may be awarded up
research independence and evidence of
to a maximum of EUR 2 000 000 for a
maturity, for example by having produced
period of 5 years30.
several important publications as main
However, up to an additional EUR 750 000 author or without the participation of
can be requested in the proposal to cover their PhD supervisor. Applicant Principal
the following additional extraordinary Investigators should also be able to
costs: (a) eligible "start-up" costs for demonstrate a promising track record of
Principal Investigators moving to the EU or early achievements appropriate to their
an Associated Country from elsewhere as research field and career stage, including
a consequence of receiving the ERC grant significant publications (as main author) in
and/or (b) the purchase of major major international peer-reviewed
equipment and/or (c) access to large multidisciplinary scientific journals, or in
facilities31. the leading international peer-reviewed
journals of their respective field. They may
also demonstrate a record of invited
presentations in well-established
international conferences, granted
patents, awards, prizes, etc.
30
The maximum award is reduced pro rata
temporis for projects of a shorter duration. This
does not apply to ongoing projects.
31
As any additional funding is to cover major one-
off costs it is not subject to pro rata temporis
reduction for projects of shorter duration. All
funding requested is assessed during evaluation.
23 | P a g eEarly achievements track record
In the Track Record (see “Proposal description” below) the applicant Principal Investigator
should list (if applicable):
1. Up to ten publications in major international peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary scientific
journals and/or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals, peer-reviewed
conferences proceedings and/or monographs of their respective research fields, highlighting
those as main author or without the presence as co-author of their PhD supervisor (properly
referenced, field relevant bibliometric indicators may also be included); preprints may be
included, if freely available from a preprint server (preprints should be properly referenced
and either a link to the preprint or a DOI should be provided).
2. Research monographs and any translations thereof;
3. Granted patent(s);
4. Invited presentations to internationally established conferences and/or international
advanced schools;
5. Prizes, awards, academy memberships
Expected time commitment of the proposal description below), appropriate
Consolidator Grant Principal measures may be taken, up to and
including reduction of the grant and
Investigator
suspension or termination of grants in
Principal Investigators funded through ERC accordance with the grant agreement.
Consolidator Grants shall spend a
It is also expected that Principal
minimum of 50% of their working time in
Investigators will be able to start their
an EU Member State or Associated
project within six months of receiving an
Country and a minimum of 40% of their
invitation letter from the ERC.
working time on the ERC project32.
Principal Investigators shall ensure a
sufficient time commitment and presence
throughout the course of the project to
guarantee its proper execution. The time
commitment will be monitored, and in
cases where the actual commitment is
below the minimum levels set out above,
or the levels indicated in the proposal (see
32
See "Eligible Host Institution" above regarding
field work.
24 | P a g eAdvanced Grant profile
Objectives ERC Advanced Grant Principal
Investigators are expected to be active
Advanced Grants are designed to support researchers and to have a track record of
excellent Principal Investigators at the significant research achievements in the
career stage at which they are already last 10 years which must be presented in
established research leaders with a the application.
recognised track record of research
achievements. Applicant Principal A competitive Advanced Grant Principal
Investigators must demonstrate the Investigator must have already shown a
ground-breaking nature, ambition and record which identifies them as an
feasibility of their scientific proposal. exceptional leader in terms of originality
and significance of their research
Size of ERC Advanced Grants contributions.
Advanced Grants may be awarded up to a Thus, in most fields, Principal Investigators
maximum of EUR 2 500 000 for a period of of Advanced Grant proposals will be
5 years33. expected to demonstrate a record of
achievements appropriate to the field and
However, up to an additional EUR 1 000
at least matching one or more of the
000 can be requested in the proposal to
following benchmarks:
cover the following additional
extraordinary costs: (a) eligible "start-up" 10 publications as main author (or
costs for Principal Investigators moving to in those fields where alphabetic
the EU or an Associated Country from order of authorship is the norm,
elsewhere as a consequence of receiving joint author) in major
the ERC grant, and/or (b) the purchase of international peer-reviewed
major equipment and/or (c) access to multidisciplinary scientific
large facilities34. journals, and/or in the leading
international peer-reviewed
Profile of the ERC Advanced Grant journals and peer-reviewed
Principal Investigator conferences proceedings of their
respective field;
33 3 major research monographs.
The maximum award is reduced pro rata
temporis for projects of a shorter duration. This This benchmark is relevant to
does not apply to ongoing projects. research fields where publication
34
As any additional funding is to cover major one-
off costs it is not subject to pro rata temporis
of monographs is the norm.
reduction for projects of shorter duration. All
funding requested is assessed during evaluation.
25 | P a g eOther alternative benchmarks that may be organisation as a member of the
considered (individually or in combination) steering and/or organising
as indicative of an exceptional record and committee;
recognition in the last 10 years:
International recognition through
5 granted patents; scientific or artistic prizes/awards
or membership in well-regarded
10 invited presentations in well-
Academies or artefact with
established internationally
documented use (for example,
organised conferences and
architectural or engineering
advanced schools;
design, methods or tools);
3 research expeditions led by the
Major contributions to launching
applicant Principal Investigator;
the careers of outstanding
3 well-established international researchers;
conferences or congresses where
Recognised leadership in
the applicant was involved in their
industrial innovation
Ten-year track record
In the Track Record (see “Proposal description” below) the applicant Principal Investigator
should list (if applicable):
1. Up to ten representative publications, from the last ten years, as main author (or in
those fields where alphabetic order of authorship is the norm, joint author) in major
international peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary scientific journals and/or in the leading
international peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings of their
respective research fields (properly referenced, field relevant bibliometric indicators may also
be included); preprints may be included, if freely available from a preprint server (preprints
should be properly referenced and either a link to the preprint or a DOI should be provided).
2. Research monographs and any translations thereof;
3. Granted patents;
4. Invited presentations to internationally established conferences and/or international
advanced schools;
5. Research expeditions that the applicant Principal Investigator has led;
6. Organisation of international conferences in the field of the applicant (membership in the
steering and/or organising committee);
7. Prizes, awards, academy memberships;
26 | P a g e8. Major contributions to the early careers of excellent researchers;
9. Examples of leadership in industrial innovation or design.
If a Principal Investigator so chooses, his Country and a minimum of 30% of their
or her achievements over a longer period working time on the ERC project36.
than the past ten years can be considered
Principal Investigators shall ensure a
in the following circumstances which
sufficient time commitment and presence
should be highlighted in the CV.
throughout the course of the project to
For maternity, the track record considered guarantee its proper execution. The time
can be extended by 18 months, or if commitment will be monitored, and in
longer by the amount of leave actually cases where the actual commitment is
taken, for each child born before or during below the minimum levels set out above,
the last ten years. For paternity, the track or the levels indicated in the proposal (see
record considered can be extended by the proposal description below), appropriate
amount of paternity leave actually taken measures may be taken, up to and
for each child born before or during the including reduction of the grant and
last ten years. For long-term illness35, suspension or termination of grants in
clinical qualification or national service the accordance with the grant agreement.
track record considered can be extended
It is also expected that Principal
by the amount of leave actually taken by
Investigators will be able to start their
the Principal Investigator and clearly
project within six months of receiving an
explained in the career break section of
invitation letter from the ERC.
their CV for each incident which occurred
during the last ten years.
Expected time commitment of the
Advanced Grant Principal
Investigator
Principal Investigators funded through the
ERC Advanced Grants shall spend a
minimum of 50% of their working time in
an EU Member State or Associated
35
Over ninety days for the Principal Investigator or
36
a close family member (child, spouse, parent or See "Eligible Host Institution" above regarding
sibling). field work.
27 | P a g eSynergy Grant profile
Objectives Size of ERC Synergy Grants
ERC Synergy Grants are intended to foster Synergy Grants may be awarded up to a
research at the intellectual frontiers by maximum of EUR 10 000 000 for a period
enabling a small group of two to four of 6 years37.
Principal Investigators, referred to as a
Up to an additional EUR 4 000 000 in total
'Synergy Grant Group', and their teams, to
can be requested in the proposal to cover
bring together complementary skills,
the following additional extraordinary
knowledge, and resources in new ways to
costs: (a) eligible "start-up" costs for
jointly address ambitious research
Principal Investigators moving to the EU or
problems.
an Associated Country from elsewhere as
The aim is to promote substantial a consequence of receiving the ERC grant
advances at the frontiers of knowledge, to and/or (b) the purchase of major
cross-fertilize scientific fields, and to equipment and/or (c) access to large
encourage new productive lines of enquiry facilities38.
and new methods and techniques,
including unconventional approaches and Profile of the ERC Synergy Grant
investigations at the interface between Group
established disciplines. This should enable
Synergy Grant Groups should enable new
transformative research not only at the
types of joint effort to allow for new
forefront of European science but also to
combinations of skills and disciplines, or
become a benchmark on a global scale.
the bringing together of researchers from
Applicants Principal Investigators must different institutions, sectors, countries or
demonstrate the synergies, parts of the world.
complementarities and added value that
The Synergy Grant Group must be made
could lead to breakthroughs that would
up of a minimum of two and a maximum
not be possible by the individual Principal
of four Principal Investigators. One of the
Investigators working alone.
Principal Investigators must be designated
as the Corresponding Principal
37
The maximum award is reduced pro rata
temporis for projects of a shorter duration. This
does not apply to ongoing projects.
38
As any additional funding is to cover major one-
off costs it is not subject to pro rata temporis
reduction for projects of shorter duration. All
funding requested is assessed during evaluation.
28 | P a g eInvestigator. At any one time, one Investigator hosted or engaged by an
Principal Investigator per Synergy Grant institution outside of the EU or Associated
Group except the Corresponding one can Countries.
be hosted or engaged by an institution
Principal Investigators shall ensure a
outside of the EU or Associated Countries.
sufficient time commitment and presence
The ERC expects the composition of a
throughout the course of the project to
Synergy Grant Group to remain
guarantee its proper execution. The time
unchanged throughout the lifetime of the
commitment will be monitored, and in
grant. If a Principal Investigator leaves a
cases where the actual commitment is
Synergy Grant Group, the grant may be
below the minimum levels set out above,
continued only exceptionally, contingent
or the levels indicated in the proposal (see
on scientific evaluation and provided that
proposal description below), appropriate
all eligibility criteria will continue to be
measures may be taken, up to and
met.
including reduction of the grant and
Applications are expected from a group of suspension or termination of grants in
innovative and active Principal accordance with the grant agreement.
Investigators with competitive track
It is also expected that Principal
records as appropriate to their career
Investigators will be able to start their
stage and each must present as part of the
project within six months of receiving an
proposal an early achievement track-
invitation letter from the ERC.
record or a 10-year track-record
whichever is most appropriate for their
career stage (see Starting, Consolidator
and Advanced Grant profiles above and
Proposal description below).
Expected time commitment of the
Synergy Grant Principal
Investigators
Principal Investigators funded through an
ERC Synergy Grant shall spend a minimum
of 30% of their working time on the ERC
project. Principal Investigators funded
through an ERC Synergy Grant shall spend
a minimum of 50% of their working time in
an EU Member State or Associated
Country39, except for a Principal
39
See "Eligible Host Institution" above regarding
field work.
29 | P a g eProposal submission and description
Proposal Submission Proposal description
Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grant A complete proposal shall consist of the
proposals are submitted by the Principal following elements, with the following
Investigator who has scientific page limits41.
responsibility for the project, on behalf of
Extended Synopsis: 5 pages
the host institution.
Curriculum Vitae: 2 pages for each
Synergy Grant proposals are submitted by
Principal Investigator
a Corresponding Principal Investigator
who will be the administrative contact Track Record: 2 pages for each
point on behalf of the group. Together all Principal Investigator
the Principal Investigators have scientific
responsibility for the group's project on Scientific Proposal: 15 pages
behalf of the host institution or host
Host Institution Binding Statement
institutions which are the applicant legal
of Support
entities.
Ethics Review Table
Proposal submission is made
electronically. Early registration PhD record and supporting
and submission is strongly documentation for eligibility
recommended and should be checking (for Starting and
done as early as possible in Consolidator Grants only).
advance of the call deadline.
Only the material that is presented within
these limits will be evaluated (peer
For each call, Information for Applicants40 reviewers will only be asked to read, and
is published on the ERC website and will be under no obligation to read
Participants Portal, which describes in beyond, the material presented within the
detail how the electronic forms should be page limits).
completed.
41
Incomplete proposals may be declared ineligible,
see “Eligibility criteria” above. References and the
funding ID section are not counted towards these
page limits. For Synergy Grant applications only,
the resources section that is included in the
40
As well as other relevant documents, including Scientific Proposal is not counted towards the 15
the ERC rules for submission and evaluation. page limit.
30 | P a g eThe host institution must confirm essential information must be covered in
its association with and its support the synopsis. The applicant will choose a
to the project and the Principal primary evaluation panel and may also
Investigator. As part of the indicate a secondary evaluation panel. The
application, the institution must applicant should indicate when he or she
provide a binding statement that believes that the proposal is of a cross-
the conditions of independence are panel or cross-domain nature. In the case
already fulfilled or will be provided of Synergy Grant applications only
to the Principal Investigator if the
keywords, and not panels should be
application is successful, according
indicated.
to the template provided in the
Information for Applicants. Curriculum Vitae: The CV should include
Proposals that do not include this the standard academic and research
institutional statement may be
record as well as a succinct "funding ID"
declared ineligible.
which must specify any current research
For Synergy Grant applications, grants and their subject, and any on-going
only the host institution of the application for work related to the
Corresponding Principal proposal. Any research career gaps and/or
Investigator must confirm its unconventional paths should be clearly
association with and its support to explained so that they can be fairly
the project and the Corresponding
assessed by the evaluation panels.
Principal Investigator, listing the
other participating Principal Track Record: Each of the Principal
Investigators. However, if the Investigator must provide a list of
application is successful and there achievements reflecting his or her track
is more than one host institution,
record. The type of achievements
each of the host institutions shall
expected for Starting, Consolidator and
offer the commitments set out
above subject to a supplementary
Advanced Grant applicant Principal
agreement between the Principal Investigators are set out in the relevant
Investigator or Principal profiles above. Principal Investigators
Investigators and the host applying to the Synergy Grant call can be
institution. at any of these career stages.
Scientific Proposal: Description of the
scientific and technical aspects of the
project, demonstrating the ground-
Extended Synopsis: This should be a breaking nature of the research, its
concise presentation of the full scientific potential impact and research
proposal, with particular attention to the methodology. The proposal should also
ground-breaking nature of the research clearly specify the percentage of the
project and the feasibility of the outlined applicant's working time that will be spent
scientific approach. At step 1 the full in the EU or an Associated Country and
scientific proposal is not assessed so all
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