ERC funding

The European Research Council, ERC , finances groundbreaking research within the EU Commission's framework programme for Research and Innovation, since the start of the 7:th framework programme. The current framework programme is Horizon Europe, 2021–2027.

List of KTH researchers who received ERC grants . 

Funding instruments

Contact

Jeanna Ayoubi
eu grants advisor

jeanna@kth.se , +4687908204

Profile

ERC funds both young and established researchers within all areas of research through a number of funding instruments:

• Starting Grants StG  (young researchers, 2 to 7 years after PhD)
• Consolidator Grants CoG  ( researchers, 7 to 12 years after PhD)
• Advanced Grants AdG  (established / senior scientists with a track-record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years.)
• Proof of Concept PoC  (as continuation of one of the above projects to explore the commercial or societal potential of your work)
• Synergy Grants SyG  (cooperation between 2-4 research groups bringing different skills and resources to tackle ambitious research problems)

Calls for proposals and applications

ERC calls for proposals are published on the EU portal for Funding and Tender opportunities.

Please read carefully the ERC Work Programme and the Guide for Applicants for the relevant call when preparing your project proposal. The application consists of several mandatory parts ( Part A, Part B and additional documents) to be completed and submitted online via the webpage of the call. The evaluation is usually performed in two steps and might include an interview.

When you start the registration of your online application, provide the KTH PIC number 999990946 which generates KTH official data automatically.

Part A consists of a number of web forms:

1. General information about the project application.
2. Contact details for KTH (Host Institution) and the project leader (Principal Investigator). In the form “Contact address of the Host Institution and contact person” state Jeanna Ayoubi  (EU-Grants Officer at KTH Research Support Office) as administrative contact person for the Host Institution.
3. Budget – estimated costs and description of resources needed for the proposed project. The costs should be calculated using KTH budget template for EU projects. Contact your local financial administrator for support.
4. Ethics - a number of questions on ethical issues are relevant for your proposal. An ethics self-assessment might be required. Find more information at EC's online funding guide pages on ethics . If you have any questions related to this, please contact the RSO Research Ethics Advisor, researchethics@kth.se .
5. Call specific data, such as confirmation of PI´s eligibility, academic training, and data protection issues. The PI is required to stay at least 50% of his/her time in the EU/Associated country during the lifetime of the project. The PI is also expected to commit at least 50%, 40% or 30% of his/her working time to the project depending on type of grant.

Part B consists of two Word templates ( available in the submission system):

1. A short version of the application (“Extended Synopsis” maximum 5 pages) which is assessed in Step 1 (and also considered in Step 2) of the evaluation process.
2. The complete project description (maximum 15 pages) is assessed only in Step 2 of the evaluation process.

Learn more about the evaluation process in ERC Workprogram, Guide for applicants for the relevant call and through ERC web pages for each type of grant (follow the links above).

Support for KTH applicants

The Research support office provides:

• General information meetings are organized every year in connection to publication of the ERC annual work programs
• Hands-on WS for applicants is held in connection to each call
• Host Institution support letter from KTH is signed by the head of RSO (see the process description and templates in the next section below)
• Guide you through the rules and answer your questions.
• Research advisors can review your application (mostly B1) and give general (not research-related) feedback. Please contact us in due time prior to the call deadline to make use of this service.
• For StG and CoG: if approved in Step 1, we offer extra support for your interview in Brussels, e.g. training in presentation techniques with a professional coach. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to attend a training meeting organized by VR.
• Useful tips and hints from successful PI’s and reviewers regarding ERC personal interview in Brussels: ERC Interview Guide 170426 RO.pdf (pdf 62 kB)

KTH's support letter

You need to submit a support letter from KTH, Commitment of the HI, to your application.
This letter is produced and signed by RSO. Here is a step-by-step description of the process:

1. Get in contact with RSO to inform us of your intention to submit a proposal to ERC – indicate your name, your school, and the call you are applying to. Do this as early as possible to secure the signature before the deadline and in order to get all other support provided by RSO officers in connection to proposal writing.
2. Get in contact with your local financial manager to be assisted with the budget calculation. KTH template for Horizon Europe should be used.
3. Inform the Head of your Department, discuss the budget and any potential need for co-funding. The Head of the Department will have to inform the Head of the School.
4. RSO officer will get in contact with the Head of the School and ask for an e-mail confirming that the School a) supports your proposal and is ready to hire you for the duration of the project if approved, b) has resources available to administrate and co-fund your project, c) can fulfill other obligations set up by the funding body when performing and administrating the project. Please note that this kind of confirmation needs to reach RSO no later than at least one week before the deadline to secure the signature.
5. A scanned copy of the letter will be sent to you via e-mail when ready and you will have to upload it into the submission system.