Hot Grants: European Research Council - Independent Researcher Grant

Submitted by moderator on Thu, 05/08/2010 - 12:21.

European Research Council recently published the 2011 call for the Starting Independent Researcher Grant.

The scheme is part of the 7th Framework program/Ideas Subprogram of the European Commission and it addresses internationally active postdoctoral researchers who wish to START or CONSOLIDATE their independent research career supported by a team of scholars operating in one of the Member States of the European Union or in an associated country.

European Research Council - Starting Independent Researcher Grant

Objective:

The Starting Grant is designed to support researchers (Principal Investigators) at the stage at which they are STARTING or CONSOLIDATING their own independent research team or program. The scheme will support the creation (STARTERS) of independent and excellent new individual research teams and will strengthen others that have been recently created (CONSOLIDATORS).

Eligibility criteria:

- nationals of any country may apply
- no age-limit
- researchers having been awarded their PhD 2-12 years prior to the publication of the call: July 20, 2010

Competitive applicants:
- have an impressive record of early achievements (see Guide for Applicants once available)
- have produced at least one important publication without the participation of the PhD supervisor
- can prove the ability to manage a grant of this size both scientifically and financially

Funding:
- research costs of max. EUR 1.500.000 for up to 5 years (pro-rated for a shorter period)
- an additional amount of EUR 500.000 a) for researchers coming to Europe from a third country, b) for the purchase of major equipment

Eligible costs:
- personnel costs (principle investigator and team members)
- equipment and consumables
- travel costs
- publication costs
- indirect costs (not exceeding 20% of the direct research costs incurred)

Evaluation:
- sole criterion is EXCELLENCE - of the principal investigator, the team, and the project.
- applicants are divided into two streams: STARTERS (2-7 years of experience post PhD) and CONSOLIDATORS (8-12 years of experience post PhD)

Application deadlines:
- October 14, 2010 - Physical Sciences
- November 9 , 2010 - Life Sciences
- November 24 , 2010 - Social Sciences

For furter details, please consult the ERC:
http://erc.europa.eu/pdf/ERC_Guide_for_Applicant.pdf