ERC Advanced Grants already provide support established top researchers who want to explore new, groundbreaking paths in their research.
ERC Advanced Grant calls are open to all topics and disciplines. The applications are processed exclusively according to the criterion of scientific excellence assessed. The evaluation is carried out by around 12-16 experts (panel members), who are currently working in 28 groups (evaluation panels). The panels are assigned to one of three scientific domains:
- Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Social Sciences and Humanities
All ERC applicants must assign their project to one or two of the evaluation panels.
The evaluation takes place in two stages . In the first stage a short application is evaluated by the respective ERC panel according to the sub-criteria Excellence of the Project and Excellence of the Principal Investigator. In the second stage the evaluation is carried out on the basis of the complete application and – new in Horizon Europe – also with the help of an interview with the panel.
In the second stage, the application is also assessed by external referees (remote referees). However, the decision regarding funding rests with the panel members, who are often not specialists in the applicant's research area, but rather act as generalists.