Talent@Unipd: Call Starting Grant 2025

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 at least 2 years and at most 7 years before 1 January 2025. Extensions are available in cases of maternity or paternity, long-term illness, national military service, clinical training, natural disaster, asylum request.

The project idea must demonstrate that it is innovative and visionary. Following 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 PIs funded by the ERC typically includes:

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

The CV may also include:

• career breaks;
• particular or non-conventional career paths (including outside academia);
• specific 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 the link https://forms.gle/kffZknYUNBJfZ9tF8 by 3 June 2024, by 1.00 p.m., 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.

Incomplete applications and/or applications drafted in a manner that does not comply with the templates provided will not be taken into consideration.

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

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. In the absence of a commitment by the Department, the candidate will be deemed excluded from the programme.

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.

Candidates will then be able to benefit from the following consultancy services.

A) During the submission phase of the ERC Starting Grant 2025 project

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

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 by 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 band) but is not funded by the ERC due to budget limitations

The University of Padua offers the possibility of participating 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)         

Success Stories @ Unipd | ERC grantees & ERC meets MSCA

ERC grantees at Unipd