ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS

The main goal of this grant is to help researchers explore the commercial and social innovation potential of ideas developed through ERC-funded research. The focus is on moving innovative concepts closer to real-world application by testing their feasibility and potential impact. Activities can include market analysis, prototype development, or validation of new approaches. The opportunity is open to researchers from any nationality, as long as the research is conducted in an EU Member State or Associated Country. This grant supports both commercial and societal innovation that builds directly on ERC-funded work.

• The Principal Investigator must have an ongoing ERC main grant or one that ended after January 1, 2024.
• Proposals must be complete, readable, accessible, and submitted before the deadline.
• The project must relate directly to objectives stemming from an ERC-funded project.
• The host institution must be in an EU Member State or Associated Country and have a gender equality plan or similar document.
• Only one proposal per Principal Investigator is permitted under this call.
• Synergy Grant applicants require written consent from all other Principal Investigators in their project.

Examples:

• A researcher with an ongoing ERC grant develops a medical device prototype to address a healthcare challenge discovered during their funded project.
• An investigator uses findings from their ERC-funded study to explore the commercial potential of a new software tool for data analysis.
• A Principal Investigator tests the societal impact of an educational intervention based on their ERC research, aiming for wider adoption.

• Personnel costs related to project activities
• Subcontracting services required for project delivery
• Purchase of equipment and materials necessary for the project
• Travel and subsistence costs for project-related activities
• Costs for market analysis and business development
• Prototype development and testing expenses
• Validation and demonstration costs
• Publishing costs, provided the venue is fully open access
• Indirect costs associated with the project

Restrictions: All costs must be covered within the lump sum of EUR 150,000. Publishing costs are eligible only if the venue is fully open access.

• Budget for this calt: 30,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 200
• Budget per grant: 150,000€

• Applicant must be a Principal Investigator in an ongoing ERC main grant or one that ended after January 1, 2024.
• Only one proposal per Principal Investigator is allowed for this call.
• Applicants whose proposals were rejected due to research integrity issues in 2023 or 2024 are not eligible.
• Synergy Grant Principal Investigators must have written consent from all other Principal Investigators in their project.
• The host institution must be located in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
• The host institution must have a gender equality plan or an equivalent strategic document.
• Applicants of any nationality can apply, provided research is conducted in an eligible country.