The ERC funds groundbreaking, high-stakes research across all academic disciplines. Given the highly competitive nature of these grants, Xjenza Malta provides dedicated support to help talented researchers navigate the application process and maximise their chances of success.

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities. The Starting Grant supports excellent Principal Investigators starting or having recently started their own independent research team or programme.

Who can apply? 

A Starting Grant Principal Investigator should have already shown evidence of the potential for research independence, for example, by having produced at least one important publication as its main author or a publication without the participation of their PhD supervisor.

• Education: Must have successfully defended a PhD.
• Experience: 2 to 7 years of post-PhD experience.
• Eligibility: Open to all nationalities, provided the researcher is based in or relocating to an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• Requirements: A proven scientific track record and an exceptional, high-risk/high-gain research proposal.

Funding: Starting Grants may be awarded up to EUR 1.5 million for a period of 5 years (pro rata for projects of shorter duration), with up to EUR 1 million of additional funding (or up to EUR 2 million for PIs relocating to Europe from outside the EU/Associated Countries) can be requested for eligible start-up costs, major equipment, or access to large facilities.

This is a summary of the call. For all the necessary eligibility details and conditions of applying under this call, please consult the ERC work progamme.