The European Research Council (ERC) has officially launched the 2026 Advanced Grant call, offering established researchers and leading academics an opportunity to secure substantial funding for ambitious, groundbreaking research projects across all disciplines.

The prestigious ERC Advanced Grant is designed to support exceptional principal investigators (PIs) with a proven track record of significant research achievements. Through this highly competitive funding scheme, successful applicants can receive up to €2.5 million over five years, with additional funding available under specific circumstances.

Applications for the ERC-2026-ADG call are currently open, with a submission deadline of August 27, 2026.

Supporting World-Class Research Excellence

The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Europe’s most sought-after research funding opportunities, aimed at empowering established researchers to pursue high-risk, high-gain projects that have the potential to generate transformative scientific breakthroughs.

Unlike many funding schemes that focus on predetermined priorities, the ERC operates a bottom-up approach, allowing researchers to propose projects in any field of study.

The grant encourages innovative ideas that push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to scientific advancement across disciplines, including:

Physical Sciences and Engineering
Life Sciences
Social Sciences and Humanities
Interdisciplinary Research

Who Can Apply?

The ERC Advanced Grant targets researchers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in their respective fields.

Applicants, referred to as Principal Investigators (PIs), are expected to:

Be active researchers with an exceptional scientific track record.
Demonstrate originality and significance in their research contributions.
Show leadership in advancing knowledge within their discipline.
Present a compelling and ambitious research vision.

Notably, there are no formal academic eligibility requirements, allowing researchers from diverse backgrounds and career paths to apply based on the strength of their achievements and proposed research.

Eligible Research Institutions

Research funded through the ERC Advanced Grant must be conducted at a Host Institution located in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe.

Eligible host institutions may include:

Universities
Research institutes
Public research organizations
Private research entities

Applicants are not required to be employed by the host institution at the time of application. However, a formal commitment between the researcher and the host institution must be established if the proposal is selected for funding.

Funding Available

The ERC Advanced Grant provides significant financial support to enable researchers to undertake ambitious projects without traditional funding constraints.

Successful applicants may receive:

Up to €2.5 million for a five-year research project.
An additional €1 million for:
- Major equipment purchases.
- Access to large-scale research facilities.
- Significant fieldwork or experimental costs.
- Relocation from a non-associated third country to Europe.

To encourage global talent mobility, the ERC has increased support for researchers relocating from non-associated third countries. Eligible applicants moving to an EU Member State or associated country may receive up to €2 million in additional funding.

In total, some projects may receive funding of up to €4.5 million.

The grant covers:

Up to 100% of eligible direct research costs.
An additional 25% contribution toward indirect costs.

International Research Teams Encouraged

ERC Advanced Grants support research led by an individual Principal Investigator while allowing the formation of international research teams.

Researchers may recruit team members of any nationality, and team members can be based either in Europe or in non-European countries.

This flexibility enables projects to benefit from global expertise and foster international scientific collaboration.

Evaluation and Ethics Review Process

ERC proposals are evaluated exclusively on the criterion of excellence.

Applications undergo a rigorous peer-review process involving internationally recognized experts who assess:

The quality and originality of the research project.
The scientific achievements of the Principal Investigator.
The feasibility and transformative potential of the proposed research.

All successful proposals must also complete an ethics review process to ensure compliance with European Union regulations, ethical standards, and international legal frameworks.

Applicants are required to complete an Ethics Self-Assessment that identifies potential ethical issues and outlines measures to address them.

How to Apply

Applications can only be submitted in response to an official ERC Call for Proposals.

A complete application package includes:

Administrative forms.
Detailed research proposal.
Supporting documentation.
Ethics self-assessment materials.

Researchers are encouraged to begin preparations early, given the highly competitive nature of ERC funding.

Why the ERC Advanced Grant Matters

The ERC Advanced Grant is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious research funding schemes globally. Beyond financial support, it provides researchers with the freedom and flexibility to pursue pioneering ideas that may reshape scientific understanding and deliver long-term societal impact.

For established researchers seeking to undertake ambitious projects with substantial funding and international recognition, the ERC Advanced Grant 2026 presents an exceptional opportunity to advance the frontiers of knowledge.

Interested researchers are encouraged to review the official call documentation and submit their applications before the August 27, 2026 deadline.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.