Yes. Unlike the main Frontier Research (StG, CoG, AdG, SyG) grant calls, there are no eligibility conditions to apply for a PoC linked to the results of proposals submitted to previous PoC calls. Therefore, the PI who applied to the call ERC-2022-PoC1 and whose proposal was not selected for funding may apply to ERC-2022-PoC2, provided they fulfill eligibility conditions as stipulated in the ERC 2022 Work Programme.
Principal Investigators (PIs) with different profiles can apply to the ERC-2022-PoC calls at any career stage. For ERC Proof of Concept grants, excellence is the sole criterion of evaluation. It will be applied in conjunction to the evaluation of both: the breakthrough innovation potential, approach and methodology of the project; and the capacity and commitment of the Principal Investigator. PIs must demonstrate in their PoC Part B proposal, their ability to conduct the management of the project, the consolidation of information and data needed to take strategic decisions and implement the proposed plan. The PIs should describe their role in the PoC project, including how they will take the strategic lead of it. They should explain any experience or achievements in leading similar innovative projects (if applicable) and how this enables them to lead their PoC project to completion. If the PIs do not have any experience with similar projects, they should explain how they are fit to lead their proof of concept project (e.g. evidence of creativity, independent thinking, and taking strategic decisions).
More information on the submission and evaluation procedures can be found in the ERC 2022 Work Programme, in the section relevant to the call, as well as in the Information for Applicants to the Proof of Concept Grant 2022 Calls, and Part B of the proposal template.
No, when submitting a proposal to the ERC 2022 Proof of Concept grant calls (ERC-2022-PoC1; ERC-2022-PoC2), the field “Career stage” under section 2 – Participants of Part A - Administrative form, is not a mandatory field.
This new field has been introduced for the new ERC-2022-PoC calls under Horizon Europe. When validating the form, the validation check may show a warning, but this will not prevent you from submitting your application, and will not affect the evaluation of your proposal.
More information on the submission and evaluation procedures can be found in the ERC 2022 Work Programme, in the section relevant to the call, as well as in the guide Information for Applicants to the Proof of Concept Grant 2022 Calls, and Part B of the proposal template.
Yes, an applicant can submit to the ERC-2022-PoC calls and at the same time to one of the four main ERC frontier research calls (since the restrictions stated in the ERC 2022 Work Programme do not apply to PoC Grants).Nevertheless, a researcher can apply for a PoC grant ONLY if he/she is already the grantee in one ERC main frontier research grant. Applying for PoC is a right reserved to ERC grantees only. For more information, please refer to the eligibility criteria for PoC in the ERC 2022 Work Programme.
The Principal Investigator (PI) should be engaged by the Host Institution of the ERC PoC Grant during its entire duration. There is no minimum commitment percentage of the working time required from the PI applying for the ERC-2022-PoC calls. However, in the grant agreement, PIs must enter a minimum of their working time, as they are responsible for managing the ERC PoC project. It is essential that the cumulative percentage commitment that the PI spends on the ERC PoC action and on the main ERC StG/CoG/AdG/SyG Grant (if still ongoing) does not exceed 100%. For more information please refer to the ERC 2022 Work Programme.
Under the ERC 2022 Proof of Concept (ERC-2022-PoC1 and ERC-2022-PoC2) calls, a maximum of three Proof of Concept Grants may be awarded per main grant project, except for Synergy Grant, in which case a maximum of six Proof of Concept Grants may be awarded per ERC funded project. PoC projects can run in parallel.
More information on the submission and evaluation procedures can be found in the ERC 2022 Work Programme, in the section relevant to the call, as well as in the guide Information for Applicants to the Proof of Concept Grant 2022 Calls.
According to the ERC 2022 Work programme, funding for the Proof of Concept (PoC) Grant will be awarded through two calls for proposals, ERC-2022-PoC1 and ERC-2022-PoC2.
Applications can be submitted at any time from the opening date of the chosen call until its final deadline. Under call ERC-2022-PoC1, applications will be evaluated and selected in a single round (single deadline / cut-off date). Under call ERC-2022-PoC2, applications will be evaluated and selected in three rounds, based on three specific cut-off dates. A Principal Investigator may submit only one eligible application per call (i.e. one proposal to the first call: ERC-2022-PoC1 call, and/or one proposal to the second call: ERC-2022-PoC2 call). If further submissions are made at different cut-off dates of the second call: ERC-2022-PoC2, only the first admissible and eligible proposal will be considered (inadmissible, ineligible or withdrawn applications do not count against this limit).Therefore, exceptionally under the ERC 2022 Work programme, an applicant may submit up to two proposals (one to ERC-2022-PoC1 call and one to ERC-2022-PoC2 call).
There are no shares or quotas by domain or discipline for the ERC Proof of Concept (ERC-2022-PoC1 and ERC-2022-PoC2) 2022 calls. No domain or field is excluded and the possibility for innovation arising from the social sciences and humanities to apply for a PoC funding is fully recognised.
As stated in the ERC 2022 Work Programme: “Research proposals within the scope of Annex I to the Euratom Treaty, namely those directed towards nuclear energy applications, shall be submitted to relevant calls under the Euratom Framework Programme.”
For ERC Proof of Concept (ERC-2022-PoC1 and ERC-2022-PoC2) Lump Sum actions, beneficiaries do not need to keep records on their actual costs for the purpose of triggering the payment of the lump-sum. They only need to keep appropriate and sufficient evidence (documentation, records) that the action tasks (as described in Annex 1) were properly carried out. For more information, please refer to the Multi & Mono Model Grant Agreement for Lump Sum Grants.
Yes, under ERC 2022 Proof of Concept (ERC-2022-PoC1 and ERC-2022-PoC2) calls, Synergy Grant Principal Investigators (PI) from an ERC Synergy (SyG) funded project are eligible to apply to an ERC PoC proposal as Principal Investigator (PI), but only with the written consent of all Principal Investigators in the same Synergy Grant project.
More information on the submission and evaluation procedures can be found in the ERC 2022 Work Programme, in the section relevant to the call, as well as in the Information for Applicants to the Proof of Concept Grant 2022 Calls.
