The European Research Council (ERC) – how to apply – an online master class

OPEN TO ALL  It can count as part of Module 1 of the certifying program "Development and management of research projects" (EMF).

A half-day workshop for the researchers from the University of Kassel

In cooperation with the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) / National Contact Point ERC, the University of Kassel will host an online Master Class to present the ERC Grants and to offer insights into the ERC Grant scheme, structure of the proposals with focus on excellence, impact and implementation, budget planning and ethics. Moreover, a successful ERC grantee from the University of Kassel will share his/her experiences regarding writing proposal, project evaluation, preparations for the interview, launching the project, etc.

In addition, individual counselling sessions for potential candidates will be offered by the KoWi and the Research Support Office of the University of Kassel (by appointment). 

Agenda 23.09.2025

• 9:00-9:15 Welcome from the Research Support, University of Kassel (Susanne Hoischen-Taubner)
• 9:15-10:00 Introduction to the ERC Grants (eligibility, possible extensions due to, e.g., parental leave, application structure, evaluation process) - KoWi/National Contact Point ERC (Isabel Herzhoff)
• 10:00-10:45  ERC grant proposal: focus on excellence, impact and implementation (incl. team composition, work packages, Gantt chart) - KoWi/National Contact Point ERC (Katharina Spannhake)
• 10:45-11:15 Q&A session with KoWi/National Contact Point ERC (Katharina Spannhake and Isabel Herzhoff) and Research Support (Susanne Hoischen-Taubner)
• 11:15-11:30 Coffee break
• 11:30-12:00 Testimonial of an ERC grantee from the University of Kassel
• 12:00-12:30 Planning your ERC budget –Third-Party Funding Management, University of Kassel (Ralf Heuckeroth)
• 12:30-13:00 Introduction to Ethics –Research Support, University of Kassel (Carolin Schwarz).
• c. 13:00 End of the workshop

Individual consultations only for the participants from the University of Kassel

We offer you an opportunity of individual consultations on your research idea or proposal draft by an adviser from KoWi/National Contact Point ERC together with an adviser of the Research Support of the University of Kassel. In order to get prepared, we would like to receive your draft/concept note and your CV not later than on 16.09.2025.

QUALIFICATION OUTCOMES

• ERC Grants - What's it all about?
• What needs to be considered?
• What is funded?
• Who is eligible?
• Application procedure
• Evaluation process
• Budget
• Ethics

REQUIREMENTS

To participate, you will need a laptop/PC with a camera, microphone and internet access. The Zoom platform as well as other tools will be used during the workshop and you will receive the link to the online platform a few days prior to the event.

Additional Terms of Use

With your registration, you accept the use of specified platforms/tools and the possibly necessary provision of specified data (name and email address). Additionally, the guarantee of the technical requirements is made by the participants themselves.

⇒ What are ERC Grants?

The EU has been funding basic and frontier research in Europe through the European Research Council (ERC) since 2007. Special features of ERC funding include, in particular, scientific autonomy in the design of the funding lines, the thematic openness of the calls and the funding of individual researchers. In Horizon Europe, the ERC is located within the first pillar named "Excellent Science". Researchers of any nationality and from all scientific disciplines are eligible to apply to the ERC, which provides several funding lines with different target groups:

• ERC Starting Grant  https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant
• 15 October 2025
• Researchers who have completed their PhD 2 to 7 years ago
• Talented early-career scientists, who have already produced excellent supervised work, are ready to work independently and show potential to be a research leader.
• Funding: up to EUR 1.5 million for up to 5 years.

• ERC Consolidator Grant https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/consolidator-grant
• Researchers who have completed their PhD 7 to 12 years ago
• Expected 13. January 2026
• Researchers who wish to consolidate their independence by building a research team and continue their successful career in Europe or researchers who have recently established an independent, excellent research team and wish to strengthen it.
• Funding: up to EUR 2 million for up to 5 years.

• ERC Advanced Grant https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/advanced-grant
• Established, leading principal investigators, who want long-term funding to pursue  ground-breaking, ambitious projects
• Funding: up to EUR 2.5 million for up to 5 years.
• expected August 2026