ERC revises changes to eligibility criteria for grant competitions

After announcing new restrictions on reapplying for European Research Council grants, the ERC Scientific Council has decided to revise some of the changes.

On 29/04/2026, the ERC Scientific Council said it "has listened to the concerns from members of the research community about the recent announcement on changes to the re-submission rules...The Scientific Council has decided to readjust some of the announced changes."

The Scientific Council presented a series of revisions to the 2027 Work Programme eligibility rules on 16/04/2026. These include reviewing resubmission restrictions to "reduce pressure on the evaluation system". For the 2027 Work Programme calls, applicants who :

• received a C score at Step 1 in the 2024, 2025 or 2026 Synergy Grant calls, or a B score at Step 1 in the 2025 or 2026 Synergy calls, are not eligible to apply for the 2027 Synergy Grant;
• did not pass Step 1 of the 2026 ERC Plus Grant competition may not apply to the 2027 ERC Plus call;
• applied to the 2026 Advanced Grant are not eligible to apply for the 2027 Synergy Grant, regardless of their evaluation…