ERC Proof of Concept Grants
ERC-2026-POC
Objectives
The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim at facilitating exploration of the commercial and social innovation potential of ERC funded research and are therefore available only to Principal Investigators whose proposals draw substantially on their ERC funded research.
Scope
Size of ERC Proof of Concept Grants: The financial contribution will be awarded as a single lump sum of EUR 150 000 for a period of eighteen months. Extensions of the duration of Proof of concept projects may be granted only exceptionally.
The lump sum will cover the beneficiaries' direct and indirect eligible costs for the project: if the project is implemented properly the amounts will be paid regardless of the costs actually incurred. The lump sum is designed to cover the beneficiaries’ personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs, other cost categories, and indirect costs.
Profile of the ERC Proof of Concept Eligible Principal Investigator
The ERC Proof of Concept Grant is open to Principal Investigators whose ERC main frontier research grant is ongoing, or Principal Investigators whose ERC main frontier research grant ends on or after 1 January 2025. For further information please see the ERC Work Programme 2026.
