ERC Awards €705 Million to 421 Early-Career Researchers

On September 3, 2026, the European Research Council (ERC) released the results of its 2026 Starting Grant competition, awarding a total of €705 million to 421 early-career researchers across Europe. Each grant provides up to €1.5 million over a period of up to five years to fund independent research projects. This investment is intended to foster the next generation of scientific talent while reinforcing Europe's position as a destination for cutting-edge work. Beyond supporting individual researchers, the initiative aims to strengthen the regional research base for the benefit of society at large.

Established by the European Union in 2007, the ERC funds frontier research conducted by scientists of any nationality or age. The Starting Grants are one of four primary funding schemes offered by the organisation, alongside Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants, and Synergy Grants. These awards are designed to give early-career researchers the independence and resources necessary to advance scientific inquiry. For the 2021 to 2027 period, the ERC budget exceeds €16 billion as part of the Horizon Europe programme, which is overseen by Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.

A record 4,807 proposals were submitted for funding this year, marking a 22% increase from the 3,928 submissions recorded in the previous round. The competitive nature of the programme is reflected in the selection rate, with only 8.8% of proposals receiving funding. Notably, there was a significant rise in applications from researchers based outside Europe. Interest from the United States grew particularly quickly, with 169 researchers applying compared to 116 in the last round, suggesting an increasing global interest in relocating to Europe for research opportunities.

Successful applicants will conduct their work across various EU Member States and associated countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The 421 winners represent more than 50 nationalities, with the highest numbers of grants awarded to researchers from Germany (89), Italy (50), France (38), and Spain (24). These grants are expected to create more than 2,700 jobs within the new grantees' teams, further developing the European research ecosystem. Additionally, 21 recipients are moving from outside Europe to take up their grants, including 20 from the United States.

Looking toward the future, the ERC has opened applications for the 2027 Starting Grants, with a deadline set for 14 October 2026. This consistent support for early-career researchers is considered vital for long-term innovation and scientific advancement. The ERC remains focused on attracting and retaining talent through initiatives such as the Choose Europe programme, which provides additional funding for researchers moving to the continent. This approach is intended to keep the European research landscape globally competitive while encouraging the exchange of ideas among researchers from diverse backgrounds.