European Research Council adopts 2026 work programme – new funding criteria and application procedures

The European Research Council (ERC) has published its work programme for 2026. This contains comprehensive information on planned funding opportunities, call periods, budget amounts, and new application and review procedures. The ERC Scientific Council prepared the document, which was then officially adopted by the European Commission.

Important changes at a glance

Starting with the 2026 work programme, new submission formats and evaluation steps will apply to all applicants:

• Two-part application: In future, funding applications must be submitted in two sections. Part I (max. five pages) will contain a concise presentation of the scientific idea and objectives. Part II provides a detailed description of the methodology, implementation and work plan. Feasibility will only be assessed in step two of the evaluation process.
• Additional funding for relocation to Europe: Researchers based outside Europe can apply for up to €2 million in additional funding to cover relocation and personnel costs. This funding can be used to set up a laboratory or research team in the European Union or countries associated to Horizon Europe and/or purchase equipment needed to carry out their research for the grant.
• New funding instrument: The ERC Scientific Council is currently working on a new instrument to offer ambitious researchers substantial funding for up to seven years, as part of the Choose Europe for Science initiative announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The new funding instrument will be included in an amended version of the ERC Work Programme 2026 that is expected to be adopted by the end of 2025.
• New grounds for extending eligibility have been added for Starting Grants and Consolidator Grants, including gender-based violence and an expanded definition of parental leave.
• A resubmission restriction will apply to Synergy Grant applicants who received a ‘B’ score in Step 1 of the 2025 call. These applicants are not eligible to apply to the Synergy Grant call of 2026.

Outlook: Funding periods will be adjusted from 2027 onwards

In order to accommodate a variety of academic career paths more effectively, the ERC intends to extend the funding periods for Starting and Consolidator Grants from 2027 onwards. 

Further information can be found here.