Welcome to a new video of Leyton News Opportunity (LENO). This video helps you explore every aspect required when preparing for exports on an international scale!
In this episode, our grants consultant, Antoine Giroir, unveils an amazing opportunity for talented Canadian Researchers to join the European Research Council (ERC) in Europe.
Watch the video below to learn more…
Examples of topics covered:
- What is the European Research Council (ERC)?
- How are ERC grants awarded?
- Applications of the ERC grant
- And more!
What is the European Research Council (ERC)?
The ERC’s mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence.
Being ‘investigator-driven’, or ‘bottom-up’, in nature, the ERC approach allows researchers to identify new opportunities and directions in any field of research, rather than being led by priorities set by politicians. This ensures that funds are channeled into new and promising areas of research with a greater degree of flexibility. The ERC represents 17% of the overall Horizon Europe budget, i.e. € 16 billion (2021-2027). Since 2007, more than 12,000 projects and over 10,000 researchers have been selected for funding.
How are ERC grants awarded?
ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. The sole criterion for selection is scientific excellence. The aim here is to recognize the best ideas, and confer status and visibility on the best brains in Europe, while also attracting talent from abroad.
For European researchers, there are 3 opportunities:
- ERC STARTING GRANTS for researchers with 2-7 years of experience since the completion of their PhD.
- ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS for researchers with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD
- And ERC ADVANCED GRANTS for active researchers with a track-record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years.
With grants open to talent of any nationality, the ERC strives to attract more top researchers as grantees from around the world. So far, some 60 Canadian researchers were awarded ERC grants. It also encourages more non-European scientists to join teams, led by ERC grantees. On average, grantees employ around six team members as part of their ERC projects. An estimate shows that some 18% of these team members are non-European nationals.
Applications of the ERC Grant
Research projects funded by the ERC can last up to five years and can cover frontier research in any scientific domain, including social sciences, humanities and interdisciplinary studies. The grants may help both emerging research leaders (‘ERC Starting Grants’ and ‘ERC Consolidator Grants’) and already well-established and recognized scientists (‘ERC Advanced Grants’).
Find out more about the different ERC grants.
If you are moving to Europe (EU Member State or Associated Country), you can apply for additional funding, which can total up to €2.5 million for a Starting Grant (instead of €1.5 million for those already established in Europe), €3 million for a Consolidator Grant (instead of €2 million) and €3.5 million for an Advanced Grant (instead of €2.5 million).
How to Apply for the ERC?
Applications can be submitted when an ERC call for proposals is opened. For successful applicants an agreement is then signed between the ERC and the institution that will host your research project (“Host Institution”) in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.
Interested in applying to the ERC?
Leyton is equipped with a team of experts dedicated to optimizing your funding. Alongside our digital tools, our expert team can guide you through specific requirements, timelines, and more, all while you remain focused on the core of your business. Contact one of our experts today!
About our Government Grant Consultant, Antoine Giroir
Antoine Giroir has a master’s in International Relations with experience in European project management and proposal writing. He has worked with researchers and entrepreneurs on various topics, from sustainable development to oncology targeting, in the European Union, the United States of America, and the People’s Republic of China. He is now helping Leyton’s clients leverage public funding (federal and provincial) to achieve their objectives while lowering the financial risks.
