The ERC Plus Grant aims to support outstanding Principal Investigators from Europe and around the world who have bold ideas and a vision for transformative research that goes beyond the scope of existing ERC funding schemes.

Proposals submitted to the ERC Plus call should concern projects that cannot be carried out within the framework of a standard ERC grant. Applicants are expected to explain how their proposed project goes beyond the scope of a typical ERC project—for example, by transforming an entire field or opening completely new research directions.

It is important to note that only around 30 ERC Plus grants will be awarded annually across all disciplines and career stages, compared to approximately 1,000 Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants combined each year.

ERC Plus Grants are awarded for a period of 4 to 7 years, without proportional budget reduction for projects shorter than 7 years. The maximum grant amount is €7 million, with no possibility to apply for additional funding.

Call documents, including the Guide for Applicants, are available on the call page. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Opportunities portal by 2 September 2026 at 17:00 (CET).