Results ERC Advanced Grant 2026: € 838 million awarded and a new pilot scheme launched
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the results of the 2026 ERC Advanced Grant call. A total of 319 leading researchers have been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant, representing a combined funding amount of € 838 million. Through this funding, the ERC supports ambitious research projects that contribute to scientific breakthroughs across Europe. A new component has also been launched within the ERC programme: the ERC Plus Grant.
What is the ERC Advanced Grant programme for?
The ERC Advanced Grant is intended for established researchers with a proven scientific track record. The grant provides the opportunity to carry out innovative and high-risk research that would often be difficult to realise without funding.
Strong interest in the 2026 ERC Advanced Grant
The results of the 2026 call show that interest in the ERC Advanced Grant remains high . For the 2026 funding round, 3,329 applications were submitted, of which only 319 research proposals were ultimately selected for funding. The successful projects will be carried out at research institutions and universities in 24 European countries.
Through these investments, the ERC stimulates high-risk scientific research with significant potential for societal and scientific impact. As such, the Advanced Grants are among the most prestigious research grants in Europe.
Hezelburcht support for your ERC Advanced Grant application
Our specialists also supported several projects during the latest ERC Advanced Grant round. Thanks to their extensive knowledge and broad experience with the funding schemes, our specialists are ideally placed to support you. Whether you need your application reviewed or require end-to-end support, our specialists are happy to help!
New component launched: ERC Plus Grant
In June 2026, the ERC Plus Grant was launched as a pilot scheme for outstanding principal investigators at every stage of their career. The scheme is intended for ideas that go beyond the scope of the regular ERC funding schemes, such as research that transforms an entire field. The maximum grant amount is €7 million per project, and the first call is open from 2 June 2026 until 2 September 2026.
Curious about your ERC opportunities?
Are you considering applying for an ERC Advanced Grant or one of the other ERC grants? If so, start your preparations well in advance. In almost every funding round, demand exceeds the available budget, meaning that only the strongest applications are awarded funding.
A successful application, requires a strong scientific vision, a convincing research proposal and thorough preparation. Would you like to find out what opportunities are available for your research project? Please do not hesitate to get in touch and schedule introduction. You can contact us via info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in our contact form.
