mERCury, the network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for the European Research Council (ERC), is organising a webinar for researchers interested in the Advanced Grant. The event will guide participants from shaping a truly “groundbreaking” idea to understanding the evaluation process of the European Research Council (ERC). The programme includes insights into the ERC’s approach to frontier research, a session dedicated to the evaluation process, and testimonials from Advanced grantees across Social Sciences and Humanities (SH), Physical Sciences and Engineering (PE) and Life Sciences (LS) domains, with the participation of ERC Scientific Officers and ERC Panel Members. 

Registration is open until 25 April 2026 registration form. All information related to this webinar is available in the announcement on the mERCury website.

Programme in brief

10:00 - 10:10 Welcome and mERCury project presentation

10:10 - 11:10 Session 1 - What does groundbreaking really mean?

• Beyond incremental: ERC’s understanding of groundbreaking frontier research. 
• Perspectives from ERC Advanced grantees

11:10 - 11:20 Q&A

11:20 - 12:20 Session 2 - Inside the ERC evaluation process

• From proposal submission to panel meeting – and what annoys panelists most
• Panel discussion with ERC Panel Members

12:20 - 12:30 Q&A

12:30 - 13:20 Session 3 - Testimonials from ERC Advanced grantees

13:20 - 13:30 Q&A

On 12 May the ERC Advanced Grants 2026 call – Belgian webinar takes place.