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ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Objective: The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim at facilitating exploration of the commercial and social innovation potential of ERC funded research and are therefore available only to Principal Investigators whose proposals draw substantially on their ERC funded research. Scope: Size of ERC Proof of Concept Grants : The financial contribution will be awarded as a single lump sum of EUR 150 000 for a period of eighteen months . Extensions of the duration of Proof of concept projects may be granted only exceptionally. The lump sum will cover the beneficiaries' direct and indirect eligible costs for the project: if the project is implemented properly the amounts will be paid regardless of the costs actually incurred. The lump sum is designed to cover the beneficiaries’ personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs, other cost categories, and indirect costs. Profile of the ERC Proof of Concept Eligible Principal Investigator The ERC Proof of Concept Grant is open to Principal Investigators whose ERC main frontier research grant is ongoing, or Principal Investigators whose ERC main frontier research grant ends on or after 1 January 2025. For further information please see the ERC Work Programme 2026.
Programme areas: Excellent Science, Horizon Europe (HORIZON), European Research Council (ERC)
Keywords: ERC, ERC-2026-POC, European Research Council, Frontier Research, HORIZON-ERC-2026, Lump sum, POC, POC2026, Proof of Concept, Proof of Concept Lump sum
Deadline stages: 2026-03-17, 2026-09-17
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Search similar grants →Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe (including EEA/EFTA countries, and other associated third countries). Action type: HORIZON-ERC-POC HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants. Additional conditions: "> General conditions 1. Admissibility and Eligibility Conditions The conditions specific to the ERC grants are described in the ERC Work Programme 2026 under the heading “ Admissibility, Eligibility, and Resubmission Restrictions” and in the ERC Rules for Submission and Evaluation . An overview is provided below: Eligible Principal Investigator : The ERC Proof of Concept Grant 2026 call is open to Principal Investigators whose ERC main frontier research grant is ongoing , or Principal... See the official call documentation on the F&T Portal for full eligibility criteria and participation rules. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates €60M total budget (~$64.8M USD) ; up to €150K per project ; ~400 grants expected Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is September 17, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
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2026 RCF Proof of Concept Funding is sponsored by Research Council of Finland. This funding scheme promotes the economic and societal utilization of research results, encouraging researchers to test their findings in practical settings or develop new approaches to address the needs of industry, public administration, or the third sector.
The UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept grant is offered by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Innovate UK that funds research commercialisation activities to develop new products, processes, and services from UK research via venture creation, licensing, or other commercialisation routes. The program supports researchers across all disciplines in demonstrating the feasibility and commercial potential of their discoveries; discovery or curiosity-driven research is not funded. FEC (full economic cost) awards can be up to £250,000 for up to nine months, with UKRI funding 80% of FEC. Eligible applicants must be based in a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. The intention to submit deadline is May 7, 2026, with a full application deadline of May 13, 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.