ERC: "Almost unmanageable numbers of applications" leading to changes in the work programmes (M.Leptin)

"A steady increase in the number of grant applications is leading to almost unmanageable numbers of applications in some panels, and the administrative burden of handling proposals and the burden for reviewers have increased accordingly", says Maria Leptin, President of the ERC, in an explanatory note about the recent changes introduced in the ERC evaluation procedures, published on 15/09/2025.

On 02/06/2025, the European Research Council announced changes notably to the submission of applications, the evaluation of proposals and the eligibility of applicants to the 2026 and 2027 work programmes.

Among the measures to streamline the workload of evaluation panels, the President explains that the number of reviewers will be reduced to three, as "the most time-consuming task for the panels is reading and judging the applications before the first panel meeting".

Changes have also been made to the way applicants will receive feedback. Panel members will no longer provide both a qualitative rating on a five-point ordinal scale and a written comment on the applicant. Instead, reviewers will…