Call in-depth analysis

Identifying the right moment to apply and understanding what defines an ERC project are fundamental to a successful application. This seminar distinguishes ERC-level work from incremental or observational research, and helps participants judge the strength of their idea and whether the moment is right. It breaks down the formal evaluation criteria to show what reviewers actually reward in a competitive proposal. The seminar pays particular attention to how these criteria have recently changed, with the first step now focused on the quality of the idea and feasibility judged only at the second, alongside other Work Programme updates such as the revised eligibility rules. It also addresses the choice of panel and keywords, a strategic decision that determines which reviewers assess the proposal and how well it fits their expertise, and how to read their profiles and the likely panel composition. By setting out the competitive traits of successful PIs, illustrated with real examples and current ERC statistics, it gives participants a concrete benchmark against which to assess their own positioning.

Proposal Best Practices

This seminar takes participants section by section through both parts of the proposal, from the cover page and Scientific Proposal I to Scientific Proposal II, setting out what each section needs to achieve and how to write it. For Part B1, this means identifying the challenge and the limitations and barriers that define it, then developing the vision, objectives and research approach that answer it. It also addresses how to position the work against the state of the art and argue for the project’s timeliness, including the role of any preliminary results. For Part B2 it covers the design of logical work units, the workplan and its feasibility, and the risk assessment. Throughout, the seminar draws heavily on real examples from ERC proposals to illustrate what works in each section, and reflects the latest template changes, including the clearer separation between B1 and B2. It also shows how to present the CV and track record so that they reinforce the PI’s fit for the project, and flags the weaknesses that most often undermine otherwise strong applications.