Talent@Unipd: Call Consolidator Grant 2026

The ERC supports frontier research through competitive calls for ambitious and visionary projects in any field of knowledge, conducted by researchers of high international profile and proposed in agreement with a Host Institution campused in an EU Member State or an associated country.

People of any age and nationality, who have defended the first PhD dissertation from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 12 years on the date of January 1, 2026 (eligibility window: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2018). Exceptions are provided for maternity, paternity or parental leave, long-term illness or national service, disability, clinical training, disasters (geological, meteorological or man-made), asylum claim, gender-based violence or other type of violence (actions aimed at causing physical or psychological harm).

The project proposal must prove to be innovative and visionary. Based on the recent changes in the 2024 call, 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, as a result, a qualitative evaluation in relation to the project idea and his or her ability to successfully complete it. It is therefore necessary to demonstrate creativity and originality, and the potential to conduct the proposed research independently.

The course track of most ERC-funded IPs must demonstrate their scientific independence and advanced knowledge in their field, typically including:

• 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 an IP;
• Ability to manage a research group as a team leader.

In the CV they can also be reported

• 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 and 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/BtaiF8ae5yGDnN5A7 by 29 August 2025, at 1.00 pm, uploading the following documents:

• CV and track-record;
• description of a maximum of 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 way that does not conform to the forms provided will not be considered.

Candidates, once selected in the Talent @Unipd syllabus, 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 research campus.

It will be the responsibility of the applicant to contact the host department well in advance and obtain the Host Institution Support Letter signed by the director of the facility.

The deadline for submitting the letter to the International Research Office will be communicated at the end of the selection process. In the absence of commitment from the department, the candidate will be automatically excluded from the syllabus.

Those who apply can then take advantage of some consulting services:

A) during the presentation of the ERC Consolidator Grant 2026 project

• enhancement of the CV and the project idea through targeted interviews;
• support at every stage of the preparation of the proposal (Part II and Part II of the scientific proposal) and revision of the drafts;
• Preparation of the budget and the section relating 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 the winner of the ERC funding at Unipd

• the PI, with the agreement of the research campus department, may be assigned a position at the University of Padova, 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) 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. 

Examples of funded projects:

ERC Funded Projects | ERC: European Research Council (europa.eu)
Success Stories @ Unipd | ERC grantees & ERC meets MSCA
ERC grantees at Unipd