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ERC-proposal – guide for KTH applicants

Here you will find a step-by-step guide with all the information you need to apply for an ERC grant.

ERC calls for proposals are published on the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal.  Please read the ERC

Work Programme for the relevant call carefully and follow the instructions in the Guide for Applicants when completing the proposal templates. An application consists of several mandatory parts (Part A, Part B, and additional documents), and it is to be submitted online via the Funding & Tenders portal by the principal investigator.

The evaluation process consists of several stages, during which the ERC call coordinators, scientific review panels, and external experts access different parts of the proposal. Learn more about the review process in the relevant Work Programme, Guide for applicants, and ERC webpages for the various grants.

When you begin registration of your online application, enter the KTH PIC number 999990946, which will automatically generate KTH’s official data. Start the registration early in the process, gain access to the proposal templates, and get acquainted with the system. The system allows for continuous adjustments of all parts of your application and numerous submissions of the proposal until the very deadline for the call. Only the very last submitted version will be accessed by the ERC.  

Part A

Part A consists of several administrative forms to be completed online:

  1. General information about the project – title, short summary, duration, panel and keywords
  2. Contact details for KTH (Host Institution) and the project leader (Principal Investigator). When asked for the “Contact address of the Host Institution and contact person”, state Jeanna Ayoubi (EU-Grants Officer at KTH Research Support Office) as the main 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’s budget template for EU projects. Contact your local financial administrator for support.
  4. Ethics - read and respond to the questions stated in the form. When you answer yes to one of the questions, indicate the page number in part B2 of your proposal where the ethical issue arises. An ethics self-assessment  might be required. If you have any questions related to ethics, please get in touch with 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. Please note that according to the ERC funding rules, the PI is required to spend at least 50% of their time in the EU/Associated country during the project period. The PI is expected to commit a minimum percentage of their working time to the project, depending on the type of grant: Starting Grant 50%, Consolidator Grant 40%, Advanced Grant 30% and Synergy Grant 30%.

Part B

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

  1. B1 - “Extended Synopsis” (maximum 5 pages) and CV, which is assessed in Step 1 (and also considered in Step 2) of the evaluation process.
  2. B2 - the complete project description (maximum 14 pages) is assessed only in Step 2 of the evaluation process.

Additional documents

Only documents required by the call should be appended to your application.

  • For StG and CoG – a copy of your PhD certificate confirming the defence date
  • For StG and CoG – copies of certificates in case of a request for an extension of the eligibility period (parental/sick leave, etc)
  • HI/KTH Commitment Letter (read more about the process for getting the document in the section below)
  • Any other document, if required by the call

The KTH/Host Institution support letter

The Commitment of the Host Institution letter required by ERC is prepared and signed by RSO. Here is a step-by-step description of the process:

  1. Contact RSO to inform us of your intention to submit a proposal to the ERC. Do this as early as possible to secure the signature before the deadline.
  2. Contact your school’s financial administrator for assistance with the budget. The KTH template for EU projects should be used.
  3. Inform your Head of Department and discuss the budget and any potential co-funding needs. The Head of Department will confirm funding with your Head of School.
  4. An RSO officer will contact the Head of the School and ask for official approval certifying that the School 
    • Supports your proposal and is ready to hire you for the project's duration if approved.
    • Have sufficient financial and staff resources to carry out and administrate your project.
    • Can meet other obligations the funding body sets regarding supporting the application and/or administrating the project.

      Please note that the above certification needs to reach RSO at least one week before the deadline to secure an official 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 as an appendix to your application in the submission system.