ERC grant application and processing procedure
What We Do and What is the Goal of the Activity?
The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) supports researchers who have advanced to the second round of the ERC Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, or Synergy Grant competitions but have not received funding from the European Research Council (ERC). We offer them the opportunity to continue their research in Estonia and enhance their application for resubmission in the ERC Grant application round.
The goal of this activity is to increase the number of ERC Grant holders in Estonia, as ERC grants are highly regarded in the research community, and the success of Estonian researchers in obtaining them has been low so far. The more holders of internationally competitive grants there are in Estonia, the more attractive Estonia becomes as a research nation, and the more successful its participation in the European Horizon initiatives.
Who Qualifies to Receive Support?
Researchers who are employed by an institution and participate in the ERC Grant competition, receive an evaluation grade of A, but have not received funding from the European Research Council qualify for support. Subsequently, the institution in cooperation with the researcher must submit an application to the Estonian Research Council through the Estonian Research Information System (ETIS) using the specified form. The application must include data on the objective, results, impact, budget, and schedule. In addition, the application should outline the project’s connection to the non-funded ERC grant application and the preparation for a new ERC grant, specifying the type of ERC grant sought.
The grant can be applied for regardless of the research area, however, the application must also demonstrate how the project contributes to the focus areas of the Estonian Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy 2021-2035.The focus areas of the Estonian Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy 2021–2035 (RDIE Strategy) are: 1) digital solutions in all areas of life; 2) health technologies and services; 3) valorization of local resources; 4) smart and sustainable energy solutions; 5) viable Estonian society, language and cultural space. The application must clearly indicate which field the project contributes to and how.
Detailed information about the focus areas can be found on the page introducing the TAIE focus areas and roadmaps.
How Much is the Support and for What Duration?
Costs are reimbursed based on unit rates, which also depend on the rates of state-budgeted personal research grants. In 2024, the support amount is 110,000 euros per year, of which the grant is 86,59%, i.e., 95,249 euros, and the co-financing is 13,41%, i.e., 14,751 euros (direct project costs 88,000 euros, indirect costs 22,000 euros).
Costs will be reimbursed over a period of up to 1.5 years per project but not beyond the start of the ERC project, in case the resubmission application receives a positive funding decision.
When is the application round?
The applications can be submitted continuously throughout the year, according to the arrival of results from the ERC Grant competitions. The application must be submitted no later than six months from the official publication of the ERC evaluation results.
More detailed information about the European Research Council (ERC) grants can be found here.
Contact:
Allan Padar
Head of Research Mobility
+372 5686 6722
allan.padar@etag.ee