Talent@Unipd: Call Starting Grant 2026

The ERC supports frontier research through competitive calls for ambitious projects in any field of knowledge, carried out by researchers of high international standing and proposed in agreement with a Host Institution based in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.

Candidates, of any age and nationality, who have defended their first PhD thesis no fewer than 2 and no more than 7 years before 1 January 2026. Extensions are provided for in cases of maternity or paternity, long-term illness, national military service, disability, clinical training, disasters (geological, meteorological or man-made), and asylum applications.

The project proposal must demonstrate that it is innovative and visionary. Based on the recent changes introduced in the 2024 call, the evaluation focuses primarily on the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of the proposed research. The focus is therefore on the project, and the candidate consequently receives a qualitative assessment in relation to the project idea and their ability to carry it through successfully. A competitive candidate must demonstrate that they are creative and original and that they have the potential to conduct the proposed research independently.

The CV of most PI funded by the ERC typically includes:

• excellent research outputs (including publications, patents, etc.);
• invitations to internationally recognised conferences;
• awards of international significance;
• periods of research at prestigious institutions;
• awarding of research funding as PI.

The CV may also highlight:

• career breaks;
• specific or non-conventional career paths (including outside academia);
• particular contributions to the scientific community.

If you believe you have an ambitious project idea and intend to choose the University of Padua as the host institution, you must complete the application form available at https://forms.gle/KU6J9sJYD6pNxSL68 by 30 April 2025, by 1.00 pm, uploading the following documents:

• CV and track record
• description of the project idea of no more than 4,000 characters (including spaces)
• signed declaration of “Commitment of the PI”

All information received will be treated confidentially.

Incomplete applications and/or applications not drawn up in accordance with the templates provided will not be taken into consideration.

Selected candidates will be supported in all stages of preparation and submission of the ERC project proposal only subject to acceptance of the application by the host Departments.

Once selected for the Talent@Unipd programme, candidates must send by email to the International Research Office the “Host Institution Support Letter”, required to submit the ERC project proposal, signed by the Director of the Department chosen as the research host.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the host Department well in advance and obtain the Host Institution Support Letter signed by the Director of the Structure.

The deadlines for submitting the letter to the International Research Office will be communicated at the end of the selection process. In the absence of a commitment from the Department, the candidate will be automatically excluded from the programme.

Selected candidates may then benefit from the following consultancy services.

A) During the submission phase of the ERC Starting Grant 2026 project

• Enhancement of the CV and project idea through targeted interviews.
• Support at every stage of proposal preparation (Part B1 and B2) and revision of drafts.
• Preparation of the budget and the section concerning the justification of the requested resources.

B) If the first ERC evaluation step is passed and the candidate is invited to interview

• Support in preparing for the interview and organisation of mock interviews.

C) If the candidate is awarded ERC funding at UNIPD

• The PI, with the agreement of the Department hosting the research, may be offered a permanent position at the University of Padua, in compliance with the regulations in force.
• The PI may benefit from certain benefits provided for in the University Regulations.
• The PI will be supported throughout the negotiation phase with the ERCEA and, subsequently, in the management and reporting of the project, alongside the Department where the research is carried out.

D) If the project receives an excellent evaluation (A category) but is not funded by the ERC due to budget limitations

The University of Padua offers the opportunity to participate in the call Supporting TAlent in ReSearch@University of Padua - STARS Grants (Wild Cards scheme), for alternative funding. 

ERC Funded Projects | ERC: European Research Council (europa.eu)   

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