Starting Grants 2027 applications: Facts and figures

The ERC Starting Grants 2027 call closed for applications on 14 October 2026. 

Preliminary figures show the following: 

• The ERC received 7 710 applications, an increase of 60.4% compared with the previous call. This follows increases of 22.4% and 13% in the 2026 and 2025 calls, respectively. 

• Physical Sciences and Engineering accounted for the largest share, with 3 314 applications (43%), followed by Social Sciences and Humanities, with 2 220 (29%), and Life Sciences, with 2 176 (28%). 

• Women submitted nearly 39% of the proposals. 

The ERC Scientific Council broadened the eligibility windows for the 2027 Starting and Consolidator Grant calls, allowing more researchers to apply. Comparisons with previous calls and analyses of application trends should therefore take these changes into account. 

In its ERC Work Programme, the ERC Scientific Council earmarked €594 million for an estimated 373 Starting Grants in 2027. The ERC is now beginning the evaluation of the proposals. The projects selected for funding are planned to be announced in summer 2027.