My ERC Starting Grant proposal passes to Stage 2! 🎉
A major milestone for my project proposal ActivEAR: invited to Stage 2 of the ERC Starting Grant evaluation.
The ERC Starting Grant is among Europe’s most selective funding programs. Recent rounds fund roughly 14–15% of applications. Reaching Stage 2 is already a meaningful filter and a very promising sign!
ERC Starting Grant, at a glance. Prestigious EU funding for early-career researchers, awarded solely on scientific excellence. Typical award up to €1.5 million over five years, with up to €1 million extra for major costs including start-up costs. Source: ERC Starting Grant.
How the evaluation works. One submission, two stages:
Apply once via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. You submit Part A online plus two PDFs: Part B1, a 5-pages extended synopsis and CV with track record, and Part B2, a 12-pages detailed research plan. See the portal guide: Funding & Tenders guidance.
Step 1 The panel review of Part B1 only. Expert panel screens ideas and the PI’s profile. Proposals that have been rated sufficiently high are invited forward to Step 2.
Step 2 Full scientific review and interview. External referees review the full proposal, the panel interviews the PI, then ranks proposals for funding according to quality and available budget.
I’m grateful for thoughtful advice, sharp criticism, and steady encouragement from colleagues and friends. Onward to the interview; more soon.