An ERC grant at Ghent University
Are you a dedicated and creative researcher with a highly innovative research idea?
- Ghent University invites you work in a first-class research environment in the vibrant city of Ghent.
- Ghent University actively promotes its participation in the ERC-programme. The university offers a ten-year appointment, potentially to be extended, to both young and established researchers who successfully obtained an ERC Grant.
- Find a suitable research group to join in our Research Explorer.
- Check out the support from the EU team and how you can obtain a formal approval to apply.
- Find out what Ghent University can offer you as academic staff
Funding and grants
ERC provides funding for the implementation of ground-breaking research for a period of 5 years.
This programme, managed by the European Research Council (ERC) provides a distinctive funding mechanism devoted to scientific excellence for all scientific fields.
The following types of grants are available:
ERC Starting Grants
- up to 1.5 mio euro for 5 years, for researchers with 2-7 years postdoctoral experience*
- Website ERC on Starting Grants
ERC Consolidator Grants
- up to 2 mio euro for 5 years, for researchers with 7-12 years postdoctoral experience*
- Website ERC on Consolidator Grants
ERC Advanced Grants
- up to 2.5 mio euro for 5 years, for established senior researchers
- Website ERC on Advanced Grants
ERC Synergy Grants
- up to 10 mio euro for 6 years, for a group of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs)
- Website ERC on Synergy Grants
*Extensions of the eligibility period are possible based on documented absence for parental leave, long-term illness, military service or clinical training. Check the ERC Work Programme on the ERC website for more details.
ERC Plus Grants (new!)
ERC Plus is a new funding scheme to support outstanding principal investigators with bold ideas and a vision for transformative research that goes beyond the scope of existing ERC programmes.
It has been launched by the ERC in 2025, with a first call expected in Work Programme 2026 and a submission deadline of 2 September 2026.
- up to 7 mio euro for 7 years, for established researchers with an outstanding track record
- Webinar on the new ERC Plus grants
ERC grants awarded to Ghent University Principal Investigators
Since 2007, Ghent University has hosted over 200 ERC-projects.
In 2025, we reached the milestone of having hosted 150 ERC grantees.
What can Ghent University offer you?
As an applicant
- Full support in administrative and financial issues of your application, including providing a Host Support Letter.
- Support in the proposal writing stage: screening of your CV and project idea, and review of your proposal.
As a successful ERC-grantee
- A ten-year appointment, potentially to be extended
- A wide range of career development opportunities
- Administrative support by the EU team
Contact: EU-team@UGent.be
More information
- On the ERC programme
- On working at Ghent University
- On living in Ghent