The support program for JU researchers applying for ERC grants is aimed at creating convenient conditions for applying for prestigious individual grants of the European Research Council

The support program for researchers at the Jagiellonian University applying for grants from the European Research Council (ERC) aims to create favorable conditions for applying for prestigious individual grants from the European Research Council.

The program includes support for researchers for the following ERC grants:

1. ERC Starting Grant – support projects carried out by an individual researcher who can employ researchers of any nationality as team members. It is also possible to have one or more team members located in a non-European country.
   Vacancies for team members interested in joining an ERC led research project, can be published on the Euraxess-Jobs portal.
   Starting Grants may be awarded up to € 1.5 million for a period of 5 years. (pro rata for projects of shorter duration). However, an additional € 0.5 million can be made available to cover eligible “start-up” costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country and/or the purchase of major equipment and/or access to large facilities. An ERC grant can cover up to 100% of the total eligible direct costs of the research plus a contribution of 25% of the total eligible costs towards indirect costs.
2. ERC Consolidator Grant – are designed to support researchers of any nationality at the stage of consolidating their own research team or programme. This grant scheme will strengthen recently created independent and excellent research teams. The ERC Consolidator grant is a way of addressing the fact that researchers face challenges when they are consolidating their independent careers in Europe. The current situation limits or delays the emergence of the next generation of researchers in Europe. This grant offers researchers a unique opportunity to consolidate their position.
   Size of the grant: up to €2 million
   Duration: up to five years In order to apply, researchers must have:
   > 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD
   > a promising track record of early achievements in their research field and career stage
   > a ground-breaking research proposal
   Grants are awarded to the Host Institution with the explicit commitment that this institution offers appropriate conditions for the Principal Investigator independently to direct the research and manage its funding for the duration of the project.
   The PI does not necessarily need to be working at the Host Institution at the time when the proposal is submitted. However, a mutual agreement and the Host Institution’s commitment on how the relationship will be established are necessary, should the proposal be successful.
3. ERC Advanced Grant – provide an opportunity to wellestablished and outstanding scientists of any nationality to pursue innovative, high-risk research that opens new directions in a field of their choice. The ERC supports frontier research that opens new directions and breakthroughs and encourages unconventional approaches and investigations at the interface between disciplines.
   Size of the grant: up to €2.5 million
   Duration: up to five years In order to apply, researchers must have:
   > an exceptional scientific leadership profile
   > an excellent scientific track record of recognised achievements in the last 10 years
   > a ground-breaking research proposal

Support under the program may include:

• obtaining the right to one semester of full-time leave from didactic classes;
• obtaining the right to a reduced dimension of the teaching up to ¼ a year
• co-financing of stay (travel expenses, hotel allowances, dietary allowances, local travel allowances) in a foreign research center up to PLN 15,000. The settlement takes place in accordance with the rules of directing employees, PhD students and students abroad for scientific, didactic or training purposes.

Settlement takes place in accordance with the applicable rules of the Jagiellonian University in the directing staff and students abroad for research, teaching or training.

In addition, the support progam includes:

1. consultations on the research idea with external, national and foreign, experts;
2. CWN mediation in contacts with the National Contact Point and the Regional Contact Point for European Union Research Programs;
3. individual meetings and CWN administrative support at the stage of preparing the application form;
4. CWN assistance in developing an application for an ERC grant in the field of editing, graphics and visual;
5. CWN support in applying for NCN grants within the Uwertura calls to finance internships in research teams that are already implementing ERC grants.