Talent@Unipd: Call Starting Grant 2027

Based on the changes announced with the new Work Programme for the 2027 call (awaiting publication), Talent@Unipd candidates, of any age and nationality, who have discussed the first dissertation of PhD from 0 to a maximum of 10 years on 1 January 2027 are eligible for the call. Extensions are provided in case of maternity or paternity, long-term illness, national military service, disability, clinical training, disasters (geological, meteorological or man-made), asylum request.

The project proposal must prove to be innovative and visionary. The evaluation mainly focuses on the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of the proposed research. The focus is therefore on the project and the candidate receives a qualitative evaluation in relation to the project idea and their ability to complete it successfully. A competitive candidate must demonstrate that he or she is creative and original and that he or she has the potential to conduct the proposed research independently. 

The course track of most ERC-funded IPs typically includes: 

• excellent research products (including publications, patents, etc.).
• invitations to internationally recognized conferences;  
• awards of international relevance;
• research periods at prestigious institutions;
• allocation of research funding as PI.

The CV may also include:

• career breaks;
• particular or unconventional career paths (including outside the academy);
• contributions to the scientific community.

If you believe you have an ambitious project idea, in any field of knowledge, and you intend to choose the University of Padova as your host institution, you must fill out the application form available at the link https://forms.gle/imNLarsFFZ9rCr596 by 18 May 2026, at 1.00 pm, uploading the following documents:

• CV and track-record
• Description of up to 4,000 characters (including spaces) of the project idea
• signed declaration of "Commitment of the PI

All information received will be treated confidentially.
Applications that are incomplete and/or drafted in a manner that does not conform to the templates provided will not be
taken into consideration.

The selected candidates will be supported in all phases of preparation and presentation of the ERC project proposal only after acceptance of their application by the host Departments.

Candidates, once selected in syllabus Talent@Unipd, must send by email to the International Research Office the "Host Institution Support Letter", necessary to submit the ERC project proposal, signed by the Director of the Department chosen as campus of research.

It will be 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 Facility.

The timing for the submission of the letter to the International Research Office will be communicated at the end of the selection. In the absence of commitment on the part of the Department, the candidate will be automatically excluded from the syllabus.

Selected candidates will then be able to take advantage of the following consulting services.

A) In the presentation phase of the ERC Starting Grant 2027 project

• Enhancement of the CV and the project idea through targeted interviews.
• Support at every stage of proposal preparation (part B1 and B2) and proofreading.
• Elaboration of the budget and the section related to the justification of the required resources.

B) If you pass the first step of the ERC assessment and are called to the interview

• Support in the preparation of the interview and organization of mock interviews.

C) If you are awarded ERC funding at UNIPD

• The PI, with the agreement of the Research Campus Department, may be the recipient of a permanent position at the University of Padua, in accordance with current legislation.
• The PI will be able to enjoy some benefits provided for by the University Regulations.
• The PI will be accompanied throughout the negotiation phase with 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 rating (band A) at the second step, but is not funded by the ERC due to budget constraints

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

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

Success Stories @ Unipd | ERC grantees & ERC meets MSCA

ERC grantees at Unipd