The European Research Council - APRE · The European Research Council ... university, research...

Established by the European Commission

The European Research Council

© Art & Build Architect / Montois Partners / credits: S. Brison

Funding Opportunities for Creative MindsMassimo Gaudina

Head of Unit Communication │ 1


Outline

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What do we offer Who can apply How to apply Some useful tools


Starting Grants

starters (2-7 years after PhD)

up to € 2.0 Mlnfor 5 years

Advanced Grants track-record of

significant researchachievements in the

last 10 yearsup to € 3.5 Mln

for 5 years

Proof‐of‐Concept bridging gap between research - earliest

stage of marketable innovation up to €150,000 for ERC grant holders

3 core ERC Funding Schemes

Consolidator Grants

consolidators (7-12 years after PhD)

up to € 2.75 Mlnfor 5 years

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Indicative summary main calls 2016 budget

Calls Call opens Deadline(s) Budget mln EUR (estimatedgrants)

Starting Grant (ERC-2016-StG)

29 Jul 2015 17 Nov 2015 485 (335)

Consolidator Grant (ERC-2016-CoG)

15 Oct 2015 2 Feb 2016 605 (335)

Advanced Grant (ERC-2016-AdG)

24 May 2016 1 Sep 2016 540 (235)

Proof of Concept (ERC-2016-PoC) 22 Oct 2015

16 Feb 201626 May 20164 Oct 2016

20 (130)


• Work on a topic of own choice, with a team of own choice

• Gain true financial autonomy for 5 years

• Negotiate best work conditions with the host institution

• Attract top team members (EU and non-EU)

• Move with the grant to any place in Europe (portability of grants)

• Attract additional funding and gain recognition: ERC is a quality label

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What do we offer?

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ERC offers independence, recognition & visibility


• No constraints on eligible costs as long as they are for the execution of the project

• High flexibility: aims of the project can be modified

• Spend 50% in EU or Associated Country• Dedicate 50% (StG), 40% (CoG) and 30%

(AdG) of time to the project• Light reporting: financial report every 18

months, scientific report at mid-term and end of the project

• 25-40% pre-financing

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Features of ERC grants


Outline

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Who can apply?

• Excellent Researchers • Any nationality, any age or any

current place of work• In conjunction with a Host Institution

based in Europe (EU or associated countries)

At least 50% of the time spent in Europe


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ERC Starting GrantsThe applicant’s profile

• Potential for research independence• Able to develop ground-breaking idea, think out of the

box• Evidence of scientific maturity and creativity• At least one publication without participation of PhD

supervisorPromising track-record of early achievements• Significant publications, contribution to the field• Invited presentations in conferences• Funding, patents, awards, prizes

“Am I competitive enough?”Potential to become a leader in the field


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ERC Consolidator GrantsThe applicant’s profile

• Research independence• Able to develop ground-breaking ideas, think out of the

box• Evidence of scientific maturity and creativity• Several publications without participation of PhD

supervisorPromising track-record of early achievements• Significant publications, contribution to the field• Invited presentations in conferences• Funding, patents, awards, prizes

“Am I competitive enough?”Potential to become a leader in the field


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ERC Advanced GrantsThe applicant’s profile

Already a leader in the field? • Track-record of significant research

achievements in the last 10 years• Exceptional leaders and mentors• 10 publications as senior author in

major scientific journals• 5 granted patents• 10 invited presentations at

international conferences• 3 international conferences where PI

was an organiser• International prizes/awards


• Hosts the PI and is located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country

• Is a legal entity: university, research center, business research unit, etc.

• Is committed to ensure that the PI may:o Apply for funding independentlyo Manage research and funding projecto Publish independently as senior authoro Have access to reasonable space and facilities

• Signs Grant Agreement• Overhead: 25%

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Role of the host institution


Outline

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Main features evaluation of proposals

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• Goal: select the best frontier research proposals

• Sole criteria: excellence of Researcher and Project

• Method: Two steps, peer review

• Structure: 25 panels


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• Panel members: typically 375 / call− High-level scientists− Recruited by ScC from all over the

world: ~14% from outside Europe− About 12-16 members plus a chair

person

• External Reviewers: typically 2000 / call− Evaluate only a small number of

proposals− Similar to normal practise in peer-

reviewed journals

EU and AssociatedCountries

(86%)

US (7%)

Other(7%)

Who evaluates the proposals?


Physical Sciences & Engineering – 10 Panels PE1 Mathematics PE2 Fundamental constituents of matter PE3 Condensed matter physics PE4 Physical & Analytical Chemical sciences PE5 Materials & Synthesis PE6 Computer science & informatics PE7 Systems & communication engineering PE8 Products & process engineering PE9 Universe sciences PE10 Earth system science

Life Sciences – 9 Panels LS1 Molecular & Structural Biology &

Biochemistry LS2 Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics &

Systems Biology LS3 Cellular and Developmental Biology LS4 Physiology, Pathophysiology &

Endocrinology LS5 Neurosciences & neural disorders LS6 Immunity & infection LS7 Diagnostic tools, therapies & public health LS8 Evolutionary, population & environmental

biology LS9 Applied life sciences & biotechnology

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ERC Evaluation process Panel structure: 3 domains and 25 panels

Social Sciences and Humanities – 6 Panels SH1 Markets, individuals & institutions SH2 The social world, diversity, institutions & values SH3 Environment, space & population SH4 The Human Mind and its complexity SH5 Cultures & cultural production SH6 The study of the human past


Annexes - submitted as .pdf• Host Institution support letter• Copy of PhD (or equivalent degree)

certificate (StG & CoG)• If applicable document for extension of

eligibility window (StG & CoG)• If applicable explanatory information on

ethical issues

Part B2 – submitted as .pdf• Full Scientific Proposal 15p

a) State-of-the-art and objectives

b) Methodologyc) Resources (incl project cost)

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Part B1 – submitted as .pdfa) Extended Synopsis 5pb) CV 2pc) Early achievements

(StG & CoG) or 10-year track-record 2p

ERC Evaluation process Submission of proposals: proposal structure

• Part A - online forms• General information on research proposal• Host Institution (HI) and applicant• Budget• Ethics• Call specific questions

│ 17Read the Information for Applicants

ON

LY FOR

STEP 2STEP 1/2

Documents sent to the panel members :Administrative documentation

Documents sent to the panel/reviewers:


Remote assessment by Panel members of section 1 – PI and synopsis

Panel meeting

Proposals retained for step 2:Score A

STEP 1

Remote assessment by Panel members and reviewers of full proposals

Panel meeting + interview (StG and CoG)

Ranked list of proposals:Score A

STEP 2

• Right balance between generalist + specialized review• Appropriate treatment of interdisciplinary proposals• Good benefit-cost ratio

ERC Evaluation process Evaluation of proposals: review procedure

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Score:B or C Score:

B


Remote assessment by Panel members of section 1 – PI and synopsis

Panel meeting

Proposals retained for step 2:Score A

STEP 1

Remote assessment by Panel members and reviewers of full proposals

Panel meeting + interview (StG and CoG)

Ranked list of proposals:Score A

STEP 2

• Right balance between generalist + specialized review• Appropriate treatment of interdisciplinary proposals• Good benefit-cost ratio

ERC Evaluation processEvaluation of proposals: review procedure

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Score:B or C Score:

B


Preparing an applicationHints and tips ( Part B1)

• Only extended Synopsis read at Step 1: concise and clear presentation

• Attention to ground-breaking nature of the research project – no incremental research!

• Know your competitors – what is state of play and why is your idea and scientific approach outstanding?

• Outline of the methodological approach(feasibility)

• Show scientific independence in CV• Avoid any suspicion of plagiarism


Preparing an applicationHints and tips (Part B2)

• Provide sufficient detail on methodology, work plan, selection of case studies etc. (15 pages)

• Check coherency of figures, justify requested resources

• Explain involvement of team members

• Provide alternative strategies to mitigate risk


Preparing an applicationHints and tips (Generalities)

• Register early, get familiar with system and templates and start filling in the forms

• A submitted proposal can be revised until the call deadline

• Follow the formatting rules and page limits

• Download and proof-read the proposal before submitting

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End of Step 2:

A: Proposal fully meets the ERC's excellence criterion and is recommended for funding if sufficient funds are available

B: Proposal meets some but not all elements of the ERC's excellence criterion and will not be funded. The applicant may be subject to resubmission limitations in the next call(s)

Feedback to the applicant


Outline

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• Read Information for Applicants and Work Programme

• Any doubts about your eligibility or any other questions, contact your National Contact Point or the ERCEAwww.apre.it

• Subscribe to ERC newsalertserc.europa.eu/keep-updated-erc

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Preparing an application Guidelines and other Resources


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Step by step to ERC grants

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• Animated infographics clip

• Entertaining introduction to application process, including tips & tricks for the interview

Video: https://vimeo.com/94179654


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Browse ERC projects

Searchable repository of ERC signed projects

Menu allows searching by• Funding Scheme• Call Year• Domain/panel• Country of Host

Institution

http://erc.europa.eu/projects-and-results/erc-funded-projects


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Evaluation panels

http://erc.europa.eu/funding-and-grants/apply-funding/evaluation-panels

Menu allowssearching for previous Panel Members by Funding Scheme and Call Year


• ERC website: erc.europa.eu

• National Contact Point: www.apre.it• Sign up for news alerts: erc.europa.eu/keep-updated-erc

• Follow us on

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www.facebook.com/EuropeanResearchCouncil

twitter.com/ERC_Research

www.linkedin.com/company/european-research-council

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