ERC Consolidator Grant: Up to €2 Million for Mid-Career Researchers

The ERC Consolidator Grant (CoG) supports mid-career researchers who are ready to consolidate their independence and establish or strengthen their research groups. Providing up to €2 million over five years, it targets scientists 7-12 years post-PhD who have already demonstrated significant achievements but need substantial funding to pursue ambitious, high-risk/high-gain research that could reshape their field.

This is the natural progression for researchers who have moved beyond the early-career stage (ERC Starting Grant eligibility) but are not yet at the senior level targeted by Advanced Grants. Success rates are typically 10-14%, and winning a Consolidator Grant establishes you as a European research leader with international recognition.

At a Glance

What This Grant Covers

The Consolidator Grant provides exceptional resources for establishing a world-class research program:

• Total budget: Up to €2,000,000 over five years (60 months)
• Indirect costs: An additional 25% of direct costs is provided to the host institution
• Personnel: Hire postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, technicians, and support staff
• Equipment: Purchase major instruments and research infrastructure
• Travel: Attend conferences, visit collaborators, conduct fieldwork
• Consumables: Cover all direct research expenses
• No co-funding required: ERC covers the full cost

The ERC provides maximum flexibility in how funds are allocated. You can shift resources between budget categories as your research evolves, allowing you to respond to discoveries and opportunities that emerge during the project.

Eligibility Requirements

Career stage: You must be 7-12 years post-PhD at the call deadline. Extensions are available for:

• Maternity leave: 18 months per child born after PhD
• Paternity leave: The actual time taken
• Long-term illness, clinical training, national service: Documented time
• Career breaks for other reasons: Case-by-case consideration

Track record: For Consolidator Grants, you need an “excellent” track record demonstrating:

• A significant number of publications in major journals, including several as corresponding/senior author
• Evidence of leading independent research (not just collaborating on others’ projects)
• International recognition: invited talks, awards, editorial roles, review panel service
• Successful supervision of students and postdocs
• For relevant fields: patents, clinical trials, software, policy impact, or artistic works

Host institution: Research must be conducted at a legal entity in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country. You need a commitment from the host before grant signature, though you can apply before finalizing arrangements.

Time commitment: Minimum 40% of working time on the ERC project, with substantial presence in Europe during the grant period.

The Application Process

ERC Consolidator Grants use a two-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 (all applicants):

• Extended synopsis (5 pages) outlining the research project
• CV and track record (max 2 pages)
• Approximately 30-35% proceed to Stage 2

Stage 2 (shortlisted applicants):

• Full scientific proposal (15 pages maximum)
• Detailed work packages and timeline
• Budget justification
• Most panels conduct interviews (typically 25-30 minutes)

Evaluation criteria (equally weighted):

1. Principal Investigator excellence: Track record, ability to lead, creative capacity
2. Project excellence: Groundbreaking nature, ambition, feasibility, methodology

Timeline for the 2025 Call

• Call opens: September 2024
• Submission deadline: February 12, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)
• Stage 1 results: May-June 2025
• Interviews (if applicable): July-August 2025
• Final results: September-October 2025
• Grant start: Usually 12-18 months after deadline

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. Demonstrate clear independence from your PhD and postdoc mentors. By the Consolidator stage, reviewers expect you to have established your own research identity. Show how your current research direction differs from your training environment.

2. Prove you can manage a significant research group. Include evidence of supervising students and postdocs, managing budgets, and leading multi-person projects. Leadership is central to the Consolidator evaluation.

3. Position your project as field-transforming. The ERC funds breakthrough science. Articulate how success would change your discipline—new paradigms, resolved major questions, or opened research frontiers.

4. Show international recognition. Invited keynotes, awards, editorial positions, and service on major review panels all signal that the community recognizes your standing.

5. Balance ambition with a credible work plan. Present challenging goals but demonstrate you have the expertise, methods, and contingency plans to deliver. Include go/no-go decision points.

6. Prepare rigorously for interviews. If your panel interviews, expect 8-10 minutes of presentation followed by 15-20 minutes of tough questions. Practice with colleagues who can simulate panel dynamics.

7. Get feedback from previous ERC holders. Many Consolidator Grant holders are willing to share their applications and provide advice. Their experience is invaluable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underplaying your track record: At this career stage, reviewers expect substantial achievements. Don’t be modest—clearly articulate your impact.
• Proposing incremental research: The ERC is not for “next logical steps.” Projects must be genuinely ambitious and potentially transformative.
• Vague independence claims: Simply stating you are independent is not enough. Provide concrete evidence: grants won, papers published without former mentors, new collaborations initiated.
• Neglecting feasibility: Ambitious is good; unrealistic is not. Show that methods are proven or that you have clear strategies to develop them.
• Weak host institution support: A strong commitment letter from your host demonstrating resources, space, and strategic alignment is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes Consolidator from Starting and Advanced Grants? Starting Grants (2-7 years post-PhD) target researchers establishing independence. Consolidator Grants (7-12 years) support those strengthening established programs. Advanced Grants (no time limit) recognize senior leaders with exceptional track records.

Can I apply if I already hold a permanent position? Yes. Many successful applicants are associate professors, readers, or equivalent. What matters is your career stage and track record.

Is preliminary data required? Not formally, but demonstrating that your approach is feasible—through publications, pilot studies, or methodological expertise—strengthens your application.

Can I apply simultaneously to different ERC grant types? No. You cannot have proposals under evaluation for Starting, Consolidator, or Advanced Grants at the same time.

What if my proposal is rejected? You can reapply in future calls. Many successful applicants were rejected once or twice before winning. Use the Evaluation Summary Report to strengthen your next submission.

Can the grant be moved between institutions? Yes. ERC grants are “portable.” If you move to another eligible institution in Europe, you can take the grant with you.

What Makes a Winning Proposal?

Successful Consolidator Grant proposals share key characteristics:

• Crystal-clear scientific vision: Reviewers immediately understand the big question and why it matters
• Demonstrated leadership capacity: Evidence of building and managing a research team
• International standing: Recognition from the field through awards, invitations, and citations
• Ambitious but credible methodology: High-risk research with realistic approaches and contingency plans
• Strong host environment: Institutional support and access to necessary facilities
• Coherent narrative: All elements—track record, project, and context—tell a unified story of a researcher ready to transform their field