This information webinar on the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant call for proposals 2026 is organised by the National Contact Points (NCPs) for ERC in Belgium (NCP Federal BE, NCP Flanders and NCP-FNRS) to inform potential applicants and host institutions. It is also aimed at researchers who are considering applying in the future.

The ERC Advanced Grant Call 2026 opening indicative date is 28 May 2026 with a deadline on 27 August 2025. The 2026 ERC Advanced Grant call will be made available on the European Commission Funding and Tender Portal.

The call will be open to established research leaders of any nationality and from any field of research (bottom-up approach), with a recognized track-record of research achievements. There is no minimum or maximum age limit. The amount of the grant is up to € 2.5 million for 5 years (or up to €4.5 million in specific cases). This is a lump-sum call.

Participation to this webinar is free but restricted to researchers wishing to apply with a Belgian host institution, or staff members of Belgian host institutions. Registration is mandatory via this registration form which is available also via this webpage.

Programme of the webinar

10.00    Welcome

10.05    Overview on the ERC Advanced Grant call

 Mireia Tomàs Giner, ERC National Contact Point, NCP-FNRS

10.35    Questions & Answers

10.50    Perspectives from a grant holder, including Questions & Answers

 Patrick Meyfroidt, LUDEMO project (2024 call, SH7 panel), Université catholique de Louvain

11.20    Perspectives from a panel member, including Questions & Answers

 Frank Kooy, Universiteit Antwerpen (2024 call, LS5 panel)

11.55    End of the webinar 

On 29 April the mERCury webinar - Towards an ERC Advanced Grant: From groundbreaking idea to successful proposal takes place.