The European Research Council Starting Grant supports outstanding early-career researchers in establishing their independence and launching their first major research programme, enabling them to position themselves as competitive, independent scientists leading ambitious, high-impact research. It is an excellent opportunity for projects that demonstrate originality, strong leadership potential, and the ability to define new directions in the field. We support researchers in developing compelling ERC Starting Grant proposals that increase their competitiveness in the evaluation process and support career progression by establishing them as competitive independent scientists prepared to lead high-impact research.
How we support your application
With our support, your application will present you as a fully independent, competitive researcher with a clear leadership trajectory beyond supervised work, ready to secure ERC Starting Grant funding. Your grant proposal will demonstrate a strong transition into research independence and present a compelling case for ERC funding success. Our expert support ensures your proposal meets ERC Starting Grant evaluation criteria and panel expectations, so it reads as a strong and competitive application from the outset and maximizes your likelihood of success. To provide the right level of support, you will work with our experts to develop a clear, submission-ready proposal, whether you are starting from an early-stage concept or a partial draft. For researchers with partial drafts, our input will improve structure and argumentation so your proposal presents a coherent and persuasive funding case. Across all stages, our experts’ guidance will sharpen the clarity, coherence, and methodological strength of your proposal so your application becomes highly competitive and meets ERC Starting Grant funding requirements. To provide the right level of support, you will work with our experts to develop a clear, submission-ready proposal, whether you are starting from an early-stage concept or a partial draft. For researchers with partial drafts, our expert input improves structure and argumentation so the proposal presents a coherent and persuasive funding case.
What our experts bring to your application
Our experts are world-leading scientists in their fields, including former ERC Starting Grant recipients and panelists, who understand exactly how competitive funding decisions are made and what distinguishes successful applications. They will collaborate with you as scientific specialists, strengthening your research vision, sharpening your positioning, and ensuring your proposal meets the level of excellence required to secure European Research Council funding. Their input will ensure your research is rigorous and strategically positioned as a highly competitive ERC Starting Grant application, strengthening your chances of securing funding and advancing your research career.