Introduction
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced significant revisions to its Work Programme for 2026, alongside eligibility expansions for 2027. These changes affect how applications are structured and evaluated, introduce new funding instruments, and widen eligibility windows for Starting and Consolidator Grants. Below, we outline the main novelties for 2026 and explain how the eligibility criteria will be extended in 2027.
Changes to the ERC Work Programme 2026
1. Grant Application Structure
- Part I (Extended Synopsis) remains capped at five pages. It must focus on:
- The overall idea and research questions
- The current state of knowledge
- Objectives and overarching research strategy
- Part II (Implementation Details) covers methodology, work plan, risk assessment, budget justification, and additional background. Length limits are now:
- Seven pages for Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants
- Ten pages for Synergy Grants (including collaborative arrangements)
2. Two-Stage Evaluation Process
- Step 1: Evaluation of Part I plus the CV and track record (Part B1). Assessors focus solely on the ambition and novelty of the idea—feasibility details must be omitted from Part I.
- Step 2: Only proposals that pass Step 1 proceed. Assessors then evaluate both parts of the proposal, CV, track record, and requested resources. Feasibility and resource allocation are fully addressed at this stage.
3. Expanded “Additional Funding” Options
- Applicants headquartered outside Europe can request up to €2 million to help relocate their laboratory or team to the EU or an associated country.
- Applicants already in an EU Member State or associated country remain eligible for up to €1 million in additional funding.
- Synergy Grant teams may still request up to €4 million.
- New in 2026: Requested additional funding may be used for personnel costs. Applicants must clearly justify any extra funding in their proposal. The final decision on awarding additional funds rests with the evaluation panel.
4. New Long-Term Funding Instrument
- Under the Choose Europe for Science initiative, the ERC Scientific Council is developing a new instrument offering up to seven years of substantial funding for outstanding researchers.
- Details of this instrument will appear in an amended version of the 2026 Work Programme, expected by the end of 2025.
5. Extended Eligibility for Special Circumstances
- Applicants who have suffered gender-based or other forms of violence may receive extensions to the post-PhD eligibility period for Starting and Consolidator Grants.
- Parental leave (maternity and paternity) will also form an explicit basis for extending eligibility.
6. Resubmission Restrictions
- Synergy Grant applicants who scored “B” at Step 1 in the 2025 call cannot reapply to the 2026 Synergy Grant call.
- Holders of an ongoing ERC grant must ensure their current project ends within two years of the 2026 call deadline; extensions granted after the call deadline are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility Changes in the ERC Work Programme 2027
1. Wider Age Window for Starting Grants
- From 2027, researchers can apply for a Starting Grant immediately after defending their PhD, up to ten yearsafterwards.
- All existing extension rules (e.g., parental leave, documented career breaks) remain in force.
2. Wider Age Window for Consolidator Grants
- From 2027, Consolidator Grant eligibility shifts to between five and fifteen years post-PhD.
- Current extension policies continue to apply.
- Note: A researcher can receive no more than one Starting Grant and one Consolidator Grant throughout their career.
Implications for Applicants
- Proposal Writing: Focus Part I entirely on high-level ambition and novelty; push feasibility details into Part II.
- Funding Strategy: Non-EU-based applicants can now budget personnel costs under “additional funding.”
- Career Planning: Researchers with career interruptions (parental leave, illness, etc.) can count on extended windows; early-career researchers may apply for Starting Grants immediately after their PhD from 2027 onward.
- Synergy Grant Candidates: A “B” at Step 1 in 2025 precludes resubmission in 2026; plan applications accordingly.
Conclusion
The 2026 ERC Work Programme changes streamline proposal structure, introduce more flexible funding for relocation and personnel costs, and lay the groundwork for a seven-year funding instrument under “Choose Europe for Science.” Meanwhile, from 2027 onward, Starting and Consolidator Grant eligibility windows broaden significantly—allowing researchers to apply immediately after their PhD or up to fifteen years post-PhD, respectively. Prospective applicants should update their plans to reflect these revised structures, budgeting options, and eligibility criteria.