An ERC grant at Ghent University

Source: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/eu-int/erc-ugent.htm Parent: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding

Are you a dedicated and creative researcher with a highly innovative research idea?

Ghent University invites you work in a first-class research environment in the vibrant city of Ghent.
Ghent University actively promotes its participation in the ERC-programme. The university offers a ten-year appointment, potentially to be extended, to both young and established researchers who successfully obtained an ERC Grant.
Find a suitable research group to join in our Research Explorer.
Check out the support from the EU team and how you can obtain a formal approval to apply.
Find out what Ghent University can offer you as academic staff

Funding and grants

ERC provides funding for the implementation of ground-breaking research for a period of 5 years.

This programme, managed by the European Research Council (ERC) provides a distinctive funding mechanism devoted to scientific excellence for all scientific fields.

The following types of grants are available:

ERC Starting Grants

up to 1.5 mio euro for 5 years, for researchers with 2-7 years postdoctoral experience*
Website ERC on Starting Grants

ERC Consolidator Grants

up to 2 mio euro for 5 years, for researchers with 7-12 years postdoctoral experience*
Website ERC on Consolidator Grants

ERC Advanced Grants

up to 2.5 mio euro for 5 years, for established senior researchers
Website ERC on Advanced Grants

ERC Synergy Grants

up to 10 mio euro for 6 years, for a group of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs)
Website ERC on Synergy Grants

*Extensions of the eligibility period are possible based on documented absence for parental leave, long-term illness, military service or clinical training. Check the ERC Work Programme on the ERC website for more details.

ERC Plus Grants (new!)

ERC Plus is a new funding scheme to support outstanding principal investigators with bold ideas and a vision for transformative research that goes beyond the scope of existing ERC programmes.\ It has been launched by the ERC in 2025, with a first call expected in Work Programme 2026 and a submission deadline of 2 September 2026.

up to 7 mio euro for 7 years, for established researchers with an outstanding track record
Webinar on the new ERC Plus grants

ERC grants awarded to Ghent University Principal Investigators

Since 2007, Ghent University has hosted over 200 ERC-projects.

In 2025, we reached the milestone of having hosted 150 ERC grantees.

What can Ghent University offer you?

As an applicant

Full support in administrative and financial issues of your application, including providing a Host Support Letter.
Support in the proposal writing stage: screening of your CV and project idea, and review of your proposal.

As a successful ERC-grantee

A ten-year appointment, potentially to be extended
A wide range of career development opportunities
Administrative support by the EU team

Contact: EU-team@UGent.be