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Horizon ERC Synergy

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Call for Proposals Open! 

ERC Synergy Grants are large-scale collaborative grants for a group of two to four Principal Investigators (PIs), of which one PI can be located outside the EU or Associated Countries. 

Synergy Grants aim to support ambitious research problems that could not be addressed by the individual PIs and their teams working alone. Lists of successful projects are available from the Synergy Grants webpage.

Applications can be made in any field of research. Proposals are evaluated on the sole criterion of scientific excellence. 

If you are interested in applying, please reach out now to your EU colleagues. 

Eligibility

Applications can include one Principal Investigator located outside the European Union and Associated Countries. 

UQ researchers are eligible to be Principal Investigators on ERC Synergy Grants if the rest of their research team are located inside one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries.  PIs based in countries associated only with Pillar II (including New Zealand) will be the single non-EU PI on a team. 

Principal Investigators will be assessed appropriate to their career stage. 

Award Amount

Funding is up to €10,000,000 for projects of up to 6 years, with an additional €4,000,000 potentially available for major equipment and other significant costs. 

Assessment and Key Dates:

There is a three-step assessment process with unsuccessful applicants notified after the assessment of each step.  

Registration of Interest to UQR&I: Now Open!

Applications due to UQ R&I: 22 October 2025

Applications close with EU: 5 November 2025

Results of Step 1: April 2026

Results of Step 2: August 2026

Results of Step 3 (Outcomes): October 2026

How to Apply

Documentation for ERC Synergy Grants is available from (and submission occurs via) the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. A suite of compulsory templates to support applicants is available via this portal.

Applications must be submitted by the Corresponding Principal Investigator’s Host Institution.

All applications will require an institutional letter of support. To arrange this, please forward your UQ Funding Application Certification and completed budget tool to UQR&I by 22 October 2025.

Queries regarding the ERC Synergy Scheme should be directed to UQR&I at internationalgrants@research.uq.edu.au