RI-LINKS2UA - Strengthening Research and Innovation Links towards Ukraine

Objectives

Advanced Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they are already established research leaders with a recognised track record of research achievements. Applicant Principal Investigators must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal.

Size of ERC Advanced Grants

Advanced Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of EUR 2 500 000 for a period of 5 years. However, up to an additional EUR 1 000 000 can be requested in the proposal to cover (a) eligible "start-up" costs for Principal Investigators moving to the EU or an Associated Country from elsewhere as a consequence of receiving the ERC grant, and/or (b) the purchase of major equipment and/or (c) access to large facilities.

Profile of the ERC Advanced Grant Principal Investigator

ERC Advanced Grant Principal Investigators are expected to be active researchers and to have a track record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years which must be presented in the application. There is little prospect of an application succeeding in the absence of such a record, which identifies investigators as exceptional leaders in terms of originality and significance of their research contributions.

Thus, in most fields, Principal Investigators of Advanced Grant proposals will be expected to demonstrate a record of achievements appropriate to the field and at least matching one or more of the following benchmarks:

• 10 publications as main author (or in those fields where alphabetic order of authorship is the norm, joint author) in major international peer-reviewed multidisciplinary scientific journals, and/or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed conferences proceedings of their respective field;
• 3 major research monographs, of which at least one is translated into another language. This benchmark is relevant to research fields where publication of monographs is the norm (e.g. humanities and social sciences).

Other alternative benchmarks that may be considered (individually or in combination) as indicative of an exceptional record and recognition in the last 10 years:

• 5 granted patents;
• 10 invited presentations in wellestablished internationally organised conferences and advanced schools;
• 3 research expeditions led by the applicant Principal Investigator;
• 3 well-established international conferences or congresses where the applicant was involved in their organisation as a member of the steering and/or organising committee;
• International recognition through scientific or artistic prizes/awards or membership in well-regarded Academies or artefact with documented use (for example, architectural or engineering design, methods or tools);
• Major contributions to launching the careers of outstanding researchers;
• Recognised leadership in industrial innovation.

Ten-year track record

In the Track Record the applicant Principal Investigator should list (if applicable):

1. Up to ten representative publications, from the last ten years, as main author (or in those fields where alphabetic order of authorship is the norm, joint author) in major international peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary scientific journals and/or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings of their respective research fields (properly referenced, field relevant bibliometric indicators may also be included);
2. Research monographs and any translations thereof;
3. Granted patents;
4. Invited presentations to internationally established conferences and/or international advanced schools;
5. Research expeditions that the applicant Principal Investigator has led;
6. Organisation of international conferences in the field of the applicant (membership in the steering and/or organising committee);
7. Prizes/ Awards/ Academy memberships;
8. Major contributions to the early careers of excellent researchers;
9. Examples of leadership in industrial innovation or design.

If a Principal Investigator so chooses, his or her achievements over a longer period than the past ten years can be considered in the following circumstances which should be highlighted in the CV.

For maternity, the track record considered can be extended by 18 months, or if longer by the amount of leave actually taken, for each child born before or during the last ten years. For paternity, the track record considered can be extended by the amount of paternity leave actually taken for each child born before or during the last ten years. For long-term illness, clinical qualification or national service the track record considered can be extended by the amount of leave actually taken by the Principal Investigator and clearly explained in the career break section of their CV for each incident which occurred during the last ten years.

Expected time commitment of the Advanced Grant Principal Investigator

The question of whether the Principal Investigator demonstrates the level of commitment to the project necessary for its execution and demonstrates the willingness to devote a significant amount of time to the project forms a key part of the evaluation.

Principal Investigators funded through the ERC Advanced Grants shall spend a minimum of 50% of their total working time in an EU Member State or Associated Country and a minimum of 30% of their total working time on the ERC project.

Principal Investigators shall ensure a sufficient time commitment and presence throughout the course of the project to guarantee its proper execution. The time commitment will be monitored, and in cases where the actual commitment is below the minimum levels set out above, or the levels indicated in the proposal (see proposal description below), appropriate measures may be taken, up to and including reduction of the grant and suspension or termination of grants in accordance with the grant agreement.

It is also expected that Principal Investigators will be able to start their project within six months of receiving an invitation letter from the ERC.