Overview
The ERC Proof of Concept Grants 2026 is part of the Horizon Europe program, offering €60 million to support Principal Investigators (PIs) in exploring the commercial and societal potential of their ERC-funded research. Eligible applicants are those who currently hold or have recently completed an ERC frontier research grant and can apply regardless of nationality or age, provided their host institution is located in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
The funding mechanism is a fixed lump sum grant of €150,000, designed for an 18-month project duration, covering all direct and indirect costs associated with the project. This grant can be applied for individually, not as part of a consortium, although PIs may involve team members from other institutions if they enhance the project’s scientific value. Extensions beyond the 18-month timeframe are rarely granted.
Research fields eligible for funding span all sectors, including physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The focus is on proof-of-concept, aimed at testing and validating innovative ideas arising from previous ERC research projects. The evaluation is based solely on excellence, assessing aspects like innovation potential, approach, and management capability of the PI.
The application process is straightforward, consisting of a single-stage submission with a maximum length of ten pages. Proposals are assessed by independent experts, and a pass of “very good” or “good” across all evaluation criteria is required for funding. Applications can be submitted electronically with deadlines on March 17 and September 17, 2026, with additional provisions for a streamlined review process.
In summary, this grant is a vital step for researchers wishing to transition their innovative ideas into practical applications, promoting a broader societal impact derived from groundbreaking research initiatives. The overall aim is to facilitate advancements in science while addressing real-world challenges through innovative market solutions.
The funding mechanism is a fixed lump sum grant of €150,000, designed for an 18-month project duration, covering all direct and indirect costs associated with the project. This grant can be applied for individually, not as part of a consortium, although PIs may involve team members from other institutions if they enhance the project’s scientific value. Extensions beyond the 18-month timeframe are rarely granted.
Research fields eligible for funding span all sectors, including physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The focus is on proof-of-concept, aimed at testing and validating innovative ideas arising from previous ERC research projects. The evaluation is based solely on excellence, assessing aspects like innovation potential, approach, and management capability of the PI.
The application process is straightforward, consisting of a single-stage submission with a maximum length of ten pages. Proposals are assessed by independent experts, and a pass of “very good” or “good” across all evaluation criteria is required for funding. Applications can be submitted electronically with deadlines on March 17 and September 17, 2026, with additional provisions for a streamlined review process.
In summary, this grant is a vital step for researchers wishing to transition their innovative ideas into practical applications, promoting a broader societal impact derived from groundbreaking research initiatives. The overall aim is to facilitate advancements in science while addressing real-world challenges through innovative market solutions.
Detail
The ERC Proof of Concept Grant 2026 (ERC-2026-POC)
This grant, part of the Horizon Europe program, aims to help researchers explore the commercial and societal potential of their existing ERC-funded research. It is specifically designed for Principal Investigators (PIs) who have already received funding from the European Research Council (ERC).
Objective
The primary goal is to facilitate the exploration of the commercial and social innovation possibilities arising from ERC-funded research. This means the grant is exclusively available to PIs looking to translate their research findings into practical applications.
Scope
The grant provides a lump sum of EUR 150,000 for a period of 18 months. Extensions are granted only in exceptional cases. This funding is intended to cover all eligible costs, both direct and indirect, including personnel, subcontracting, purchasing, and other cost categories. The payment of the lump sum is contingent upon the proper implementation of the project, irrespective of the actual costs incurred.
Eligible Principal Investigator Profile
To be eligible, the PI must have an ongoing ERC main frontier research grant or a grant that ends on or after January 1, 2025. Further details can be found in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Detailed Eligibility Conditions
Eligible Principal Investigator: The call is open to PIs with ongoing ERC main frontier research grants or grants ending on or after January 1, 2025, subject to restrictions in Annex 3 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Resubmission Restriction: Only one proposal per PI is allowed under this call. Submitting multiple proposals will result in only the first admissible proposal being considered.
Integrity Breach: PIs whose proposals were rejected due to research integrity breaches in Work Programmes 2024 or 2025 are ineligible.
Synergy Grants: Synergy Grant PIs can apply only with written consent from all PIs within the same Synergy Grant project. Each PI in a Synergy Grant can submit one Proof of Concept application.
Eligible Host Institution: The host institution must employ the PI for the duration of the project and be established in a Member State or Associated Country as a legal entity under national law.
Host Institution Types: Eligible host institutions include universities, research organizations, and undertakings, whether public or private.
Location of Host Institution: The host institution must be in an EU Member State or an Associated Country, or be an international European research organization (e.g., CERN, EMBL). International organizations with headquarters in an EU Member State or Associated Country are considered established in that location.
Team Members: Additional team members can be hosted by other legal entities, including those outside the EU or Associated Countries, if they bring added scientific value to the project, subject to restrictions in Annex 3 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Funding for Non-EU Entities: Legal entities outside the EU or Associated Countries are eligible for funding if their participation is essential or they host team members with added scientific value, provided they are not excluded by Annex 3.
Gender Equality Plan: Legal entities that are public bodies, research organizations, or higher education institutions in a Member State or Associated Country must have a gender equality plan (GEP) or equivalent strategic document in place for the project's duration, fulfilling the requirements in Annex 5 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Nationality and Location of Researchers
The ERC actions are open to researchers of any nationality who intend to conduct their research activity in any Member State or Associated Country. PIs may be of any age and nationality and may reside in any country at the time of application.
Non-EU/non-Associated Countries: Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Proposal Requirements
Completeness and Timeliness: Proposals must be complete, readable, accessible, and submitted before the deadline.
Relevance: The proposal's content must align with the objectives and grant type specified in the call.
Inadmissibility: Proposals not meeting admissibility or eligibility criteria will be rejected.
Submission Restrictions
Grant Limits: A maximum of three Proof of Concept Grants can be awarded per main grant project, except for Synergy Grants, which can receive up to six.
Parallel Grants: Proof of Concept Grants can run in parallel if they comply with the eligibility conditions of the relevant Work Programme.
Proposal Submission Details
Guidance: Detailed instructions are available in the Information for Applicants guide on the ERC website and the EU Funding & tenders opportunities Portal.
Forms: Use the new Part A and Part B forms specific to the ERC PoC Lump Sum Grant call 2026 under Horizon Europe.
Complete Proposal Components:
Administrative Part A form: An electronic form available via the submission tool.
Proposal Part B form and annexes: Download templates, complete, and upload in PDF format.
Part B Contents: Detailed descriptions of the PoC project, objectives, planning, execution, and resources.
Required Elements in Part B:
The idea and justification of the breakthrough innovation potential: max. 3 pages
The approach and methodology to explore the innovation potential: max. 6 pages
The strategic lead and project management of the Principal Investigator: max. 1 page.
Host Institution Binding Statement of Support Letter: Confirmation of the host institution's association with and support for the project and the PI.
Optional Documents: Ethics review self-assessment and Letters of support or intent from potential stakeholders (in PDF format).
Page Limits and Layout: Proposals are limited to ten pages (excluding headers, title, abstract, references, and risk mitigation table). Layout parameters include A4 page format, Times New Roman (or Arial or similar) font, at least 11 font size, single line spacing, 2 cm side margins, and 1.5 cm top and bottom margins.
Submission Method: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Early Submission: Early registration and submission are strongly recommended.
Financial and Operational Capacity
Financial Capacity: Refer to the ERC Rules of submission and evaluation under Horizon Europe section 4.
Operational Capacity: Applicants subject to exclusion sanctions under the EU Financial Regulation are ineligible.
Security and Exclusion
Security: Refer to the ERC Work Programme 2026, Annex 4.
Exclusion: Applicants under administrative sanctions of exclusion are banned from receiving EU grants.
Evaluation Process
Relation to ERC Project: Proof of Concept Grants are awarded for ideas stemming from ERC-funded projects, selecting the most competitive for innovation development.
Evaluation Criterion: Excellence is the sole criterion, applied to the breakthrough innovation potential, approach, methodology, strategic lead, and project management.
Evaluation Elements: Detailed elements are in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Expert Assessment: Experts evaluate proposals independently, marking them as "very good", "good", or "fail" for each evaluation element.
Funding Threshold: Proposals must receive a pass mark (“very good” or “good”) from a majority of experts on each element to be considered for funding.
Ranking: Proposals passing all elements are ranked by expert marks, and funding is awarded in order of ranking.
Panel Review: Experts may meet to determine a priority order for proposals with the same ranking.
Seal of Excellence: Awarded to proposals passing all evaluation elements but not funded due to budget limits.
Timeline and Budget
Indicative Timeline: Set out in the ERC Work Programme 2026, Table 7.
Grant Amount and Duration: EUR 150,000 lump sum for 18 months, with extensions possible if justified.
Indicative Budget: EUR 60,000,000 for the ERC-2026-PoC call.
Legal and Financial Set-Up
Grant Size and Duration: Described in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Grant Agreement: See Multi & Mono Grant Agreement for Lump Sum Grants.
Open Science and Other Obligations
Obligations: Beneficiaries must meet obligations concerning gender balance, open access, and intellectual property rights, as detailed in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Open Science: A core principle, with requirements for immediate open access to peer-reviewed publications and research data management following FAIR principles.
Call Documents and Support
Call Documents:
Application form templates: Available in the Submission System.
Information to Applicants: Guidance on the ERC website.
ERC Guide for Reviewers: Available on the EU Funding & tenders opportunities Portal.
ERC Work Programme 2026 and ERC Rules of Submission.
Guidance: Ethics self-assessment and security sensitive research projects.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA): Multi & Mono Model Grant Agreement for Lump Sum Grants, MGA used for ERC actions under Horizon Europe (HE General MGA), EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Lump Sum MGA v1.0, Lump Sum MGA.
Additional Documents: EU Financial Regulations, Horizon Europe Regulation, Association agreements, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, Funding & Tenders Portal manuals, and privacy statements.
Support:
ERC PoC Applicants mailbox: erc-poc-applicants@ec.europa.eu
Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search.
Budget Overview
The total budget for the ERC-2026-POC call is EUR 60,000,000. The call opens on January 20, 2026, with multiple cut-off dates: March 17, 2026, and September 17, 2026. The expected contribution per grant is around EUR 150,000, with an indicative number of 400 grants.
Partner Search
There are opportunities to search for partners to collaborate on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
This ERC Proof of Concept Grant is designed to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and tangible innovation. It provides funding and support for researchers to explore the commercial or societal potential of their ERC-funded projects, ultimately aiming to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications. The grant is a lump sum of 150,000 EUR for 18 months and is open to principal investigators with ongoing or recently completed ERC main grants. The application process involves submitting detailed proposals outlining the innovation potential, methodology, and project management strategy. The evaluation focuses on excellence, with experts assessing the breakthrough potential and the PI's ability to lead the project. This initiative underscores the ERC's commitment to not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering its practical application for the benefit of society.
This grant, part of the Horizon Europe program, aims to help researchers explore the commercial and societal potential of their existing ERC-funded research. It is specifically designed for Principal Investigators (PIs) who have already received funding from the European Research Council (ERC).
Objective
The primary goal is to facilitate the exploration of the commercial and social innovation possibilities arising from ERC-funded research. This means the grant is exclusively available to PIs looking to translate their research findings into practical applications.
Scope
The grant provides a lump sum of EUR 150,000 for a period of 18 months. Extensions are granted only in exceptional cases. This funding is intended to cover all eligible costs, both direct and indirect, including personnel, subcontracting, purchasing, and other cost categories. The payment of the lump sum is contingent upon the proper implementation of the project, irrespective of the actual costs incurred.
Eligible Principal Investigator Profile
To be eligible, the PI must have an ongoing ERC main frontier research grant or a grant that ends on or after January 1, 2025. Further details can be found in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Detailed Eligibility Conditions
Eligible Principal Investigator: The call is open to PIs with ongoing ERC main frontier research grants or grants ending on or after January 1, 2025, subject to restrictions in Annex 3 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Resubmission Restriction: Only one proposal per PI is allowed under this call. Submitting multiple proposals will result in only the first admissible proposal being considered.
Integrity Breach: PIs whose proposals were rejected due to research integrity breaches in Work Programmes 2024 or 2025 are ineligible.
Synergy Grants: Synergy Grant PIs can apply only with written consent from all PIs within the same Synergy Grant project. Each PI in a Synergy Grant can submit one Proof of Concept application.
Eligible Host Institution: The host institution must employ the PI for the duration of the project and be established in a Member State or Associated Country as a legal entity under national law.
Host Institution Types: Eligible host institutions include universities, research organizations, and undertakings, whether public or private.
Location of Host Institution: The host institution must be in an EU Member State or an Associated Country, or be an international European research organization (e.g., CERN, EMBL). International organizations with headquarters in an EU Member State or Associated Country are considered established in that location.
Team Members: Additional team members can be hosted by other legal entities, including those outside the EU or Associated Countries, if they bring added scientific value to the project, subject to restrictions in Annex 3 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Funding for Non-EU Entities: Legal entities outside the EU or Associated Countries are eligible for funding if their participation is essential or they host team members with added scientific value, provided they are not excluded by Annex 3.
Gender Equality Plan: Legal entities that are public bodies, research organizations, or higher education institutions in a Member State or Associated Country must have a gender equality plan (GEP) or equivalent strategic document in place for the project's duration, fulfilling the requirements in Annex 5 of the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Nationality and Location of Researchers
The ERC actions are open to researchers of any nationality who intend to conduct their research activity in any Member State or Associated Country. PIs may be of any age and nationality and may reside in any country at the time of application.
Non-EU/non-Associated Countries: Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Proposal Requirements
Completeness and Timeliness: Proposals must be complete, readable, accessible, and submitted before the deadline.
Relevance: The proposal's content must align with the objectives and grant type specified in the call.
Inadmissibility: Proposals not meeting admissibility or eligibility criteria will be rejected.
Submission Restrictions
Grant Limits: A maximum of three Proof of Concept Grants can be awarded per main grant project, except for Synergy Grants, which can receive up to six.
Parallel Grants: Proof of Concept Grants can run in parallel if they comply with the eligibility conditions of the relevant Work Programme.
Proposal Submission Details
Guidance: Detailed instructions are available in the Information for Applicants guide on the ERC website and the EU Funding & tenders opportunities Portal.
Forms: Use the new Part A and Part B forms specific to the ERC PoC Lump Sum Grant call 2026 under Horizon Europe.
Complete Proposal Components:
Administrative Part A form: An electronic form available via the submission tool.
Proposal Part B form and annexes: Download templates, complete, and upload in PDF format.
Part B Contents: Detailed descriptions of the PoC project, objectives, planning, execution, and resources.
Required Elements in Part B:
The idea and justification of the breakthrough innovation potential: max. 3 pages
The approach and methodology to explore the innovation potential: max. 6 pages
The strategic lead and project management of the Principal Investigator: max. 1 page.
Host Institution Binding Statement of Support Letter: Confirmation of the host institution's association with and support for the project and the PI.
Optional Documents: Ethics review self-assessment and Letters of support or intent from potential stakeholders (in PDF format).
Page Limits and Layout: Proposals are limited to ten pages (excluding headers, title, abstract, references, and risk mitigation table). Layout parameters include A4 page format, Times New Roman (or Arial or similar) font, at least 11 font size, single line spacing, 2 cm side margins, and 1.5 cm top and bottom margins.
Submission Method: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Early Submission: Early registration and submission are strongly recommended.
Financial and Operational Capacity
Financial Capacity: Refer to the ERC Rules of submission and evaluation under Horizon Europe section 4.
Operational Capacity: Applicants subject to exclusion sanctions under the EU Financial Regulation are ineligible.
Security and Exclusion
Security: Refer to the ERC Work Programme 2026, Annex 4.
Exclusion: Applicants under administrative sanctions of exclusion are banned from receiving EU grants.
Evaluation Process
Relation to ERC Project: Proof of Concept Grants are awarded for ideas stemming from ERC-funded projects, selecting the most competitive for innovation development.
Evaluation Criterion: Excellence is the sole criterion, applied to the breakthrough innovation potential, approach, methodology, strategic lead, and project management.
Evaluation Elements: Detailed elements are in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Expert Assessment: Experts evaluate proposals independently, marking them as "very good", "good", or "fail" for each evaluation element.
Funding Threshold: Proposals must receive a pass mark (“very good” or “good”) from a majority of experts on each element to be considered for funding.
Ranking: Proposals passing all elements are ranked by expert marks, and funding is awarded in order of ranking.
Panel Review: Experts may meet to determine a priority order for proposals with the same ranking.
Seal of Excellence: Awarded to proposals passing all evaluation elements but not funded due to budget limits.
Timeline and Budget
Indicative Timeline: Set out in the ERC Work Programme 2026, Table 7.
Grant Amount and Duration: EUR 150,000 lump sum for 18 months, with extensions possible if justified.
Indicative Budget: EUR 60,000,000 for the ERC-2026-PoC call.
Legal and Financial Set-Up
Grant Size and Duration: Described in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Grant Agreement: See Multi & Mono Grant Agreement for Lump Sum Grants.
Open Science and Other Obligations
Obligations: Beneficiaries must meet obligations concerning gender balance, open access, and intellectual property rights, as detailed in the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Open Science: A core principle, with requirements for immediate open access to peer-reviewed publications and research data management following FAIR principles.
Call Documents and Support
Call Documents:
Application form templates: Available in the Submission System.
Information to Applicants: Guidance on the ERC website.
ERC Guide for Reviewers: Available on the EU Funding & tenders opportunities Portal.
ERC Work Programme 2026 and ERC Rules of Submission.
Guidance: Ethics self-assessment and security sensitive research projects.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA): Multi & Mono Model Grant Agreement for Lump Sum Grants, MGA used for ERC actions under Horizon Europe (HE General MGA), EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Lump Sum MGA v1.0, Lump Sum MGA.
Additional Documents: EU Financial Regulations, Horizon Europe Regulation, Association agreements, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, Funding & Tenders Portal manuals, and privacy statements.
Support:
ERC PoC Applicants mailbox: erc-poc-applicants@ec.europa.eu
Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search.
Budget Overview
The total budget for the ERC-2026-POC call is EUR 60,000,000. The call opens on January 20, 2026, with multiple cut-off dates: March 17, 2026, and September 17, 2026. The expected contribution per grant is around EUR 150,000, with an indicative number of 400 grants.
Partner Search
There are opportunities to search for partners to collaborate on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
This ERC Proof of Concept Grant is designed to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and tangible innovation. It provides funding and support for researchers to explore the commercial or societal potential of their ERC-funded projects, ultimately aiming to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications. The grant is a lump sum of 150,000 EUR for 18 months and is open to principal investigators with ongoing or recently completed ERC main grants. The application process involves submitting detailed proposals outlining the innovation potential, methodology, and project management strategy. The evaluation focuses on excellence, with experts assessing the breakthrough potential and the PI's ability to lead the project. This initiative underscores the ERC's commitment to not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering its practical application for the benefit of society.
Find a Consultant to Support You
Breakdown
Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant is a Principal Investigator (PI). To be eligible, the PI's main ERC frontier research grant must be ongoing or end on or after 1 January 2025. The host institution (Applicant Legal Entity) must engage the Principal Investigator for at least the duration of the Proof of Concept project. Any type of legal entity, public or private, including a university, a research organisation, or an undertaking can host a Principal Investigator and their team.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a lump sum grant.
Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for a single applicant, the Principal Investigator, although the PI will be hosted by an eligible institution.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The host institution must be established in a Member State or an Associated Country as a legal entity created under applicable national law. Researchers of any nationality are eligible, provided they conduct their research activity in a Member State or Associated Country. Team members may be hosted by legal entities established anywhere, including outside the European Union or Associated Countries, if they bring added scientific value to the project.
Target Sector: This program targets all sectors of research, as it is open to ideas stemming from any ERC-funded project. The focus is on exploring the commercial and social innovation potential of that research, so it is relevant to any field with such potential.
Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries, Switzerland (specifically mentioned as associated to the entire Horizon Europe Programme for award procedures implementing Union budget for the year 2025 and onwards), Hungary (specifically mentioned as having some restrictions).
Project Stage: The project stage is Proof of Concept, aimed at exploring the commercial and social innovation potential of existing ERC-funded research.
Funding Amount: The funding amount is a single lump sum of EUR 150,000 for a period of 18 months.
Application Type: The application type is an open call with multiple cut-off dates.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.
Application Stages: The application process involves a single-step evaluation process. Experts evaluate each admissible and eligible proposal independently.
Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly stated, but the indicative budget for the ERC-2026-PoC call is EUR 60,000,000, and the indicative number of grants is 400.
Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. The lump sum is designed to cover all eligible costs.
Summary: The ERC Proof of Concept Grants 2026 (ERC-2026-PoC) is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program designed to help researchers explore the commercial and social innovation potential of their existing ERC-funded research. The grant provides a lump sum of EUR 150,000 for 18 months to Principal Investigators whose main ERC frontier research grant is ongoing or ends on or after 1 January 2025. The call is open to researchers of any nationality, but the host institution must be in an EU Member State or Associated Country. The evaluation process involves a single-step assessment by experts based on the excellence of the project, including its breakthrough innovation potential, approach, methodology, and the strategic lead and project management of the Principal Investigator. The call has multiple cut-off dates, and proposals must be submitted electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal. This grant aims to bridge the gap between research and innovation, enabling researchers to take their findings to the next level and explore their potential impact on society and the market. The indicative budget for the call is EUR 60,000,000, with an expected 400 grants to be awarded.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a lump sum grant.
Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for a single applicant, the Principal Investigator, although the PI will be hosted by an eligible institution.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The host institution must be established in a Member State or an Associated Country as a legal entity created under applicable national law. Researchers of any nationality are eligible, provided they conduct their research activity in a Member State or Associated Country. Team members may be hosted by legal entities established anywhere, including outside the European Union or Associated Countries, if they bring added scientific value to the project.
Target Sector: This program targets all sectors of research, as it is open to ideas stemming from any ERC-funded project. The focus is on exploring the commercial and social innovation potential of that research, so it is relevant to any field with such potential.
Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries, Switzerland (specifically mentioned as associated to the entire Horizon Europe Programme for award procedures implementing Union budget for the year 2025 and onwards), Hungary (specifically mentioned as having some restrictions).
Project Stage: The project stage is Proof of Concept, aimed at exploring the commercial and social innovation potential of existing ERC-funded research.
Funding Amount: The funding amount is a single lump sum of EUR 150,000 for a period of 18 months.
Application Type: The application type is an open call with multiple cut-off dates.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.
Application Stages: The application process involves a single-step evaluation process. Experts evaluate each admissible and eligible proposal independently.
Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly stated, but the indicative budget for the ERC-2026-PoC call is EUR 60,000,000, and the indicative number of grants is 400.
Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. The lump sum is designed to cover all eligible costs.
Summary: The ERC Proof of Concept Grants 2026 (ERC-2026-PoC) is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program designed to help researchers explore the commercial and social innovation potential of their existing ERC-funded research. The grant provides a lump sum of EUR 150,000 for 18 months to Principal Investigators whose main ERC frontier research grant is ongoing or ends on or after 1 January 2025. The call is open to researchers of any nationality, but the host institution must be in an EU Member State or Associated Country. The evaluation process involves a single-step assessment by experts based on the excellence of the project, including its breakthrough innovation potential, approach, methodology, and the strategic lead and project management of the Principal Investigator. The call has multiple cut-off dates, and proposals must be submitted electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal. This grant aims to bridge the gap between research and innovation, enabling researchers to take their findings to the next level and explore their potential impact on society and the market. The indicative budget for the call is EUR 60,000,000, with an expected 400 grants to be awarded.
Short Summary
Impact The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim to facilitate the exploration of the commercial and societal potential of existing ERC-funded research, enabling researchers to translate their findings into practical applications. | Impact | The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim to facilitate the exploration of the commercial and societal potential of existing ERC-funded research, enabling researchers to translate their findings into practical applications. |
Applicant Principal Investigators (PIs) with ongoing ERC frontier research grants or those that end on or after January 1, 2025, are required to demonstrate their ability to lead and manage the project effectively. | Applicant | Principal Investigators (PIs) with ongoing ERC frontier research grants or those that end on or after January 1, 2025, are required to demonstrate their ability to lead and manage the project effectively. |
Developments The funding will support proof-of-concept projects that test, validate, and demonstrate the innovation potential of ERC-funded research across various scientific fields. | Developments | The funding will support proof-of-concept projects that test, validate, and demonstrate the innovation potential of ERC-funded research across various scientific fields. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for Principal Investigators (PIs) who hold or have recently completed an ERC frontier research main grant. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for Principal Investigators (PIs) who hold or have recently completed an ERC frontier research main grant. |
Consortium This is a single applicant grant opportunity, specifically for Principal Investigators, without consortium requirements. | Consortium | This is a single applicant grant opportunity, specifically for Principal Investigators, without consortium requirements. |
Funding Amount The funding amount is a fixed lump sum of €150,000 for a project duration of 18 months. | Funding Amount | The funding amount is a fixed lump sum of €150,000 for a project duration of 18 months. |
Countries The funding is relevant for host institutions established in EU Member States and Associated Countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, which have hosted the largest number of funded projects. | Countries | The funding is relevant for host institutions established in EU Member States and Associated Countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, which have hosted the largest number of funded projects. |
Industry This funding targets all sectors of research, as it is open to projects stemming from any ERC-funded research. | Industry | This funding targets all sectors of research, as it is open to projects stemming from any ERC-funded research. |
Update Log
No updates recorded yet.
Discover with AI
Let our intelligent agent help you find the perfect funding opportunities tailored to your needs.
Try AI Agent →
EU Grant Database
Explore European funding opportunities in our comprehensive, up-to-date collection.
Browse Database →
Stay Informed
Get notified when grants change, deadlines approach, or new opportunities match your interests.
Configure Notifications →
Track Your Favorites
Follow grants you're interested in and keep them organized in one place. Get updates on changes and deadlines.
Use the Follow button above ↑
‘Proof of market’ to improve valorisation and commercialisation of Horizon generated R&I results (IA)
Call for ProposalOpen
The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48 is part of the European Commission's initiative aimed at enhancing the valorization and commercialization of research and...
April 21st, 2026
Demonstrators for clusters of social circular enterprises (IA)
Call for ProposalOpen
The grant opportunity titled "Demonstrators for clusters of social circular enterprises (IA)" is part of Horizon Europe's focus on innovation actions aligned with the transition towards a circular...
April 14th, 2026
HORIZON-EIC-2026-BAS-01-ECOSYSTEM
Call for ProposalOpen
The HORIZON-EIC-2026-BAS-01-ECOSYSTEM call under the Horizon Europe program is an EU funding opportunity designed to provide financial support for accessing services from ecosystem partners. This...
March 26th, 2026
EIC 2026 Pathfinder Open
Call for ProposalForthcoming
The EIC Pathfinder Open 2026 is a funding initiative under the Horizon Europe program, aimed at supporting collaborative research projects that focus on high-risk, high-gain technologies with the...
May 12th, 2026
Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs (CSA)
Call for ProposalOpen
The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs" is categorized under the Coordination and Support...
April 21st, 2026
Pillar III: European Citizens' Hackathon Championship
Call for ProposalOpen
The grant opportunity titled "Pillar III: European Citizens' Hackathon Championship," identified as HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-06, is part of the Horizon Europe framework. It is set to open on...
March 12th, 2026
Advancing lead markets and proof-of-concept for deep tech solutions contributing to EU Missions
Call for ProposalOpen
The EU funding opportunity titled "HORIZON-MISS-2026-07-CROSS-03: Advancing lead markets and proof-of-concept for deep tech solutions contributing to EU Missions" falls under the Horizon Europe...
March 31st, 2026
Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs (CSA)
Call for ProposalForthcoming
The funding opportunity HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47, part of the Horizon Europe Programme, seeks to create pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups, and...
February 2nd, 2027
Open Topic: Innovative solutions for the sustainable and circular transformation of SMEs
Call for ProposalOpen
The Horizon Europe grant opportunity focuses on promoting the sustainable and circular transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through innovative solutions. The main objectives...
February 17th, 2026
EIC STEP Scale Up
Call for ProposalOpen
The EIC STEP Scale Up is an equity investment program under the Horizon Europe framework, targeting ambitious scale-up companies (SMEs and small mid-cap firms) with groundbreaking innovations in...
November 25th, 2026
Digital enablers and building-blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication for Space solutions (Space Partnership)
Call for ProposalForthcoming
The Horizon Europe opportunity labeled as HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31 focuses on creating digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunication, aimed at...
September 3rd, 2026
Developing and embedding upcycling technologies into viable business (Processes4Planet partnership) (IA)
Call for ProposalOpen
The EU funding opportunity focuses on developing and embedding upcycling technologies into viable businesses under the Horizon Europe program, specifically through the Processes4Planet partnership....
April 14th, 2026