This training is open for researchers (Principal Investigators) who have been invited to a remote interview with ERC panel members after successfully completing the first evaluation stage within the ERC Consolidator Grant Call 2026.
During the training, participants will have the opportunity to rehearse their presentation for the interview and the ensuing discussion session and to receive feedback and tips to support their preparation for the hearing. The training is organised as a mock interview in a more “generalistic setting“ with questions from fellow candidates and the trainer to prepare for core aspects of the interview, which may include surprising questions by panel members.
There will be three independent online training days (9 am – 5 pm CET), consisting each of a general part on the interview situation followed by two mock interview sessions (one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
Since the number of training slots per day is limited and we would like to cluster the mock sessions around the ERC scientific domains (PE, LS, SH) as much as is viable, we kindly ask participants to register for the training by 29 July, indicating all training days and sessions (morning/afternoon) which are possible. We will send a confirmation of participation by 4 August.
Training dates
• 20 August
• 2 September
• 4 September
Time plan per training day
9 am – 9:45 am What to keep in mind for the interview
9:45 am – 1 pm Mock Session A
1:30 pm – 5 pm Mock Session B
Please note that this training is for Principal Investigators who submitted their ERC Consolidator Grant Proposal with an Austrian host institution.
Complementary to the interview training, we also plan a separate online session on 17 August at 3 pm CET with ERC Consolidator Grantees from previous rounds to share their experiences from the Consolidator Grant Call online interview and answer questions by candidates.