Applicants must be excellent early-career researchers (2-7 years after PhD completion) of any nationality, who wish to conduct their research in a Host Institution located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country. They must have a promising track record of early achievements.

ERC Starting Grants are designed to support excellent principal investigators at the stage of career when they are starting their own independent research team or programme. The scheme targets researchers who have successfully defended their first PhD between 2 and 7 years prior to the publication date of the call. The deadline for the 2027 call is typically around October 2026.

Fully funded, providing up to €1.5 million for a period of 5 years (pro rata for projects of shorter duration). This covers personnel costs, equipment, travel, publications, and other research-related expenses.