Talent@Unipd: Call Consolidator Grant 2027

On the basis of the changes announced with the new Work Programme for the 2027 call, female and male candidates of any age and nationality are eligible to apply for the Talent@Unipd call, provided that they have defended their first PhD thesis no fewer than five and no more than fifteen years before 1 January 2027.
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), asylum seeking, gender-based violence or any other form of violence

The project proposal must demonstrate that it is innovative and visionary. 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 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 possess the potential to conduct the proposed research independently. 

The CV of most PIs funded by the ERC must demonstrate their scientific independence and advanced knowledge in their field, typically including: 

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

The CV may also indicate:

• career breaks;
• particular or non-conventional career paths (including outside academia);
• particular 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 Padua as the host institution, complete the application form by 28 August 2026, by 13:00, uploading the following documents:

• CV and track record;
• description of the project idea, of no more than 4,000 characters;
• signed “Commitment of the PI” declaration.

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 are supported in all stages of preparing and submitting the ERC project proposal only subject to acceptance of their 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.

Candidates are responsible for contacting the host Department well in advance and obtaining 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 deemed excluded from the programme.

Selected candidates will then be able to benefit from the following advisory services.

A) During the submission phase of the ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 project

• Enhancement of the CV and project idea through targeted interviews.
• Support at every stage of preparing the proposal (Part B1 and B2) and review of drafts.
• Preparation of the budget and the section relating to 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 accordance with the regulations in force.
• The PI may benefit from certain benefits provided for by 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 (band A) at the second step, but is not funded by the ERC because of budget limitations

The University of Padua offers the opportunity to take part in the call 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 a Unipd