Are you a researcher that wants to address a research problem so ambitious, that can not be dealt with you and your team alone? The Synergy Grants could be for you!
Deadline for submission of proposals: 10/11/2021
Who can apply?
A group of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) – of which one will be designated as the corresponding PI (cPI) – working together and bringing different skills and resources to tackle ambitious research problems. No specific eligibility criteria regarding the academic training are foreseen for ERC Synergy Grants. PIs must present an early achievement track-record or a ten-year track-record, whichever is most appropriate.
What proposals are eligible?
- Criteria
Applications can be made in any field of research.
The ERC’s grants operate on a ‘bottom-up’ basis without predetermined priorities. In the case of the ERC Synergy Grants, applications must demonstrate that the proposed research cannot be carried out by a single PI working alone.
- Location
Research must be conducted by all PIs in a public or private research organisation (known as a Host Institution, HI). It could be the HI where the applicant already works, or any other HI established in one of the EU Member Statesor Associated Countries. - One Principal Investigator per Synergy Grant group at any one time can be hosted or engaged by an institution outside of the EU or Associated Countries.
- Host Institution
Applications for an ERC Synergy Grant must be submitted by a minimum of two to a maximum of four Principal Investigators (PI), with one of the PIs acting as corresponding PI (cPI). The cPI will act as a contact point of behalf of the group.
How much?
Synergy Grants can be up to a maximum of € 10 million for a period of 6 years (pro-rata for projects of shorter duration). However an addition € 4 million can be requested in the proposal in total to cover:
- eligible ‘start-up’ costs for Principal Investigators moving to the EU or an Associated Country from elsewhere as a consequence of receiving an ERC grant and/or
- the purchase of major equipment and/or
- access to large facilities.
An ERC grant can cover up to 100% of the total eligible direct costs of the research plus a contribution of 25% of the total eligible costs towards indirect costs.