ERC Work Programme 2027 adopted with new funding opportunities and updated eligibility rules
The European Commission has adopted the ERC work programme 2027. The programme outlines the funding opportunities, budgets, timelines and application rules for the European Research Council (ERC) in 2027. It introduces several changes to provide researchers with greater flexibility and make the evaluation process more efficient. The first call under the new work programme has already opened: the ERC Starting Grant opened on 22 July 2026.
What has changed in the ERC work programme 2027?
The ERC Work Programme 2027 introduces several important changes. The most significant is the extension of the eligibility windows for the ERC Starting Grant and ERC Consolidator Grant. These changes better reflect the increasingly diverse career paths of researchers.
From the 2027 Work Programme onwards, the following eligibility rules apply:
- ERC Starting Grant: researchers may apply immediately after obtaining their PhD and up to ten years
- ERC Consolidator Grant: researchers are eligible to apply between five and fifteen years after obtaining their PhD.
- The existing provisions for extending the eligibility period, for example due to parental leave or other recognised circumstances, remain in place.
- Researchers may receive a maximum of one Starting Grant and one Consolidator Grant during their career.
In addition, the work programme limits the number of proposals that a researcher may submit within a single ERC Work Programme. According to the ERC, these changes will contribute to a fairer evaluation process, reduce the workload for evaluation panels and better accommodate researchers with diverse career trajectories.
ERC Plus Grant introduced as part of the work programme
The ERC Plus Grant has also been included in the ERC work programme 2027. This new funding opportunity forms part of the European Choose Europe for Science initiative, which aims to strengthen Europe’s attractiveness for outstanding researchers from around the world. Further details on the eligibility conditions and implementation of this grant will be announced at a later stage.
ERC deadlines and budgets for 2027
The following ERC grant schemes are scheduled to open under the 2027 Work Programme:
| Call 2027 | Budget 2027 | |
| ERC Starting Grant | 22 July 2026 till 14 October 2026 | € 594 million |
| Consolidator Grant | 24 September 2026 till 12 January 2027 | € 618 million |
| Advanced Grant | 27 May 2027 till 26 August 2027 | € 798 million |
| Synergy Grant | 17 February 2027 till 11 May 2027 | € 500 million |
| Plus Grant | 1 June 2027 till 1 September 2027 | € 210 million |
| Proof of Concept | 12 November 2026 till 10 March 2027 and 16 September 2027 | € 60 million |
Start preparing for the next ERC call
With the publication of the new work programme, researchers can begin preparing for the upcoming ERC calls in 2027. Researchers who become eligible for a Starting Grant or Consolidator Grant for the first time, or once again due to the extended eligibility windows, should start preparing their application well in advance.
Would you like to explore which ERC grant best matches your research ambitions, or would you like support in preparing a competitive application? Our specialists are happy to help. Please contact us via info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in our contact form.
