European Research Council (ERC) Funded Principal Investigators

European Research Council (ERC) Grants

Are you looking for freedom in your scientific research and want to pursue an ambitious, groundbreaking research question? ERC funding may be a good fit for you.

ERC supports long-term, bottom-up grants for pioneering, high-risk / high-gain research in any discipline. The only criterion is scientific excellence.

Open to individual researchers from all over the world, regardless of nationality, age, and gender. Host institution must be in an EU country, but you don’t have to be in Europe full time.

These grants are extremely competitive, but we can help you craft a competitive proposal, prepare for interview stages, and help with logistics of establishing your lab in Ireland.

We will only be able to support a limited number of applications, please contact us as early as possible.

Types of ERC Grants

• Starting Grant (StG): (€1.5 million / 5 yrs) Targeted at early-career researchers looking to establish their own, independent lab. Must have completed PhD 2-7 years ago*. Have at least one important publication without participation of your PhD supervisor.
  • An additional €1 million can be applied for to cover eligible start-up costs, purchase of major equipment and/or other experimental and research costs for researchers moving from a non-EU country.
  • Opening 09 July 2025
  • Deadline 14 October 2025

• Consolidator Grant (CoG): (€2 million / 5 yrs) Aimed towards mid-career researchers to consolidate their independence and grow a research team. Completed PhD 7-12 years ago*. Have produced several important publications without your PhD supervisor and have a track record of independence and research maturity.
  • An additional €1 million can be applied for to cover eligible start-up costs, purchase of major equipment and/or other experimental and research costs for researchers moving from a non-EU country.
  • Opening 25 September 2025
  • Deadline 13 January 2025

• Advanced Grant (AdG): (€2.5 million / 5 yrs) For established researchers who want long-term funding to pursue a groundbreaking project. No restriction on PhD defence date. Must have a proven track record of significant research achievement throughout career. 
  • An additional €2 million can be applied for to cover eligible start-up costs, purchase of major equipment and/or other experimental and research costs for researchers moving from a non-EU country. For AdG only, personnel costs can be included as an eligible cost for this additional funding.
  • Opening 28 May 2025
  • Deadline 27 August 2025

*Eligibility can be extended for reasons such as parental leave, illness, national service, training, natural disasters, or asylum.  

More information about ERC grants, the application process, and deadlines can be found on their website.

What’s next?

Competitive candidates will be supported throughout the application process by a dedicated team of researchers and research support staff at UCC, to help with:

• Proposal preparation (scientific and administrative support)
• Visa / relocation support and information

For further information / inquiries / to apply, please contact APC Grants. Include a CV and short cover letter/reasoning as to why you’d like to join APC/think your research is a good fit.