Frequently asked questions

Principal Investigators (PIs) can work at the same Host Institution (HI), or at different HIs within one country or at HIs based in different countries. HIs must be established in an EU Member State or Associated Countries. In the 2022 Synergy Grant (SyG) Call, with the exception of the corresponding Host Institution, it is possible to have one PI applying with a Host Institution outside of the EU or Associated Countries. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022.

No, there are no specific requirements on the type of configuration. Being located in two different countries will not affect the chance of success. The PIs have to demonstrate convincingly that there will be significant synergies and sufficient time spent together in close collaboration that enables to achieve the aims of the project. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and the Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

The term 'Synergy' cannot be defined in one single way. It is not the end goal, but rather the means to achieve the aims of a Synergy project. Synergy projects should generally involve composite teams that are capable of tackling bold new research themes that require novel approaches and unique fusions of researchers. Such teams are typically characterised by exceptional combinations of knowledge and skills, in which the 2, 3 or 4 Principal Investigators hold a central role. A Synergy project could incorporate novel multi- or trans-disciplinary approaches or innovative combinations of knowledge and skills in a single discipline or research field. Each Synergy proposal must demonstrate that its objectives can only be achieved through the specific combination of knowledge and skills brought together by the participating PIs. In other words, a major scientific question of pressing significance, an integrated team and the transformative scientific potential are crucial elements in conceiving a Synergy proposal. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

Not only. The ultimate goal of the ERC Synergy (SyG) scheme is to allow for a close and genuine collaborative interaction that will enable transformative research at the forefront of science, capable of yielding unpredictable and ground-breaking scientific results, leading to a result that is more than just the sum of Principal Investigators (PIs)' individual contributions. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and the Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

Principal Investigators (PIs) with different profiles can apply to the ERC-2022-SyG call as long as they have competitive track records appropriate to their career stage. PIs must then present, as part of the proposal, either an early achievement track-record or a 10-year track-record, whichever is most appropriate for their career stage (see Starting, Consolidator, Advanced Grant profiles in the ERC Work Programme 2022).

For an ERC Synergy Grant (SyG), a minimum two and maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) (and their teams) can apply. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022.

Yes, for ERC SyG, a minimum of two and a maximum of 4 PIs form a group, in which each PI can work with a team and/or collaborators who are either at the same institution or at different entities. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

No, the concept of 'co-investigator' actually does not exist in the context of a Synergy Grant (SyG). All Principal Investigators (PIs) have equal status, although there is a 'Corresponding Principal Investigator' (cPI) designated to be the administrative contact with the ERCEA. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

Applications to a Synergy Grant (SyG) call should indicate only keywords, and not panels, because there are no predefined panels in the Synergy evaluation. Please see the ERC Work Programme 2022 and Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

Yes, at submission stage each Host Institution (not only the Corresponding Host Institution) shall provide a support letter to PI(s) hosted by them for at least the duration of the grant. The conditions offered by the Host Institutions, including the 'portability' of the grant, are the subject of a supplementary agreement between the Principal Investigator(s) and their respective Host Institution(s). More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

There are no specific requirements in this respect. The corresponding Host Institution is the one hosting the corresponding Principal Investigator (PI). This PI is the 'primus inter pares' for the project and the main administrative contact point on behalf of the group. Principal Investigators are considered equal regardless of their Host Institution. More information about the ERC-2022-SyG call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2022 and Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2022 Call.

Yes. In case of a Synergy (SyG) Grant one of the Principal Investigators (PI), with the exception of the corresponding PI, can apply with a Host Institution outside of the EU Member States or H2020 Associated Countries.

Note, that except the PI applying with a third country host institution, each PI has to spend at least 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or Associated Country. All PIs have to devote at least 30% of their working time to the ERC-funded project. See then ERC Work Programme 2019.

Principals Investigators (PIs) can work at the same Host Institution (HI), or at different HIs within one country or at HIs based in different countries. The HIs must be established in an EU Member State or H2020 Associated Countries. In the 2019 Synergy (SyG) call, with the exception of the corresponding Host Institution, it is possible to have one PI applying with a Host Institution outside of the EU or H2020 Associated Countries.

More information about the ERC-2019-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2019.

No, there are no specific constraints on the type of configuration. Being located in two different countries will not affect the chance of success. The PIs have to demonstrate convincingly that there will be significant synergies and sufficient time spent together in close collaboration.

More information about the ERC-2019-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2019 and the Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2019 Call.

No, as stated in the European Research Council (ERC) Work Programme 2016, a Principal Investigator may submit only one application per call to the ERC Proof of Concept 2016 call.NB: More than one Proof of Concept Grant may be awarded per ERC funded frontier research project but only one Proof of Concept project may be running at any one time for the same ERC frontier research project.

There are no shares or quotas by domain or discipline for the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept scheme.

No domain or field is excluded and the possibility of innovation arising from the social sciences and humanities fields to apply for a Proof of Concept funding is fully recognised.

For the ERC Proof of Concept Call, applicants submit the whole proposal which is evaluated in a single step by the peer reviewers.For more information on the evaluation process, please refer to the ERC Work Programme 2016 (page 39).

For the ERC Proof of Concept Call, the plan needs to include justification that the persons working on the tasks are well qualified for that purpose; there is space on the Part B to include this information.

ERC Proof of Concept proposals are evaluated on a 'Pass/Fail' basis on each of the evaluation criteria. The applicant is provided with feedback on the outcome of the peer review evaluation in the form of an evaluation report. This indicates whether the proposal is retained for funding and provides the passed/failed status for each of the evaluation criteria, with corresponding comments given by the panel.

More information on the evaluation procedure can be found in the ERC Work Programme 2016 , section relevant to the call.

In the ERC Proof of Concept grants given the shorter length of the project, the project report is required only once at the end of the project, and will combine the technical and financial aspects in one single document.

Article 20 of the H2020 ERC Proof of Concept Grant Agreement defines the reporting requirements. 

The ERC POC report must be prepared and submitted online via the Participant Portal.