The PI's main ERC grant must be ongoing or have ended after 1 January 2025, and the proof-of-concept idea must arise substantially from that ERC-funded research. One application per call is allowed.

What burden and restrictions apply?

An 18-month lump-sum Horizon Europe action must deliver the agreed proof-of-concept work and comply with host, ethics and grant requirements. Only further work exploring innovation potential of an idea arising from the PI's ERC-funded research; one submission per call and normally at most three PoC awards per main grant, six for Synergy.

What evidence exists?

ERC awarded 300 Proof of Concept grants totaling €45 million in 2025 The 2026 first deadline selected 136 projects Current award totals are available, but no complete comparable eligible-application denominator is published on the checked page.

ERC Proof of Concept Grant

€150,000 lump sum for an 18-month proof-of-concept project · European Research Council · deadline 2026-09-17

ERC Proof of Concept Grant is a grant programme from European Research Council for Principal investigators with an eligible active or recently completed ERC frontier-research grant in an EU Member State or associated country Current lifecycle: open; next verified deadline 2026-09-17. Real economics: €150,000 lump sum for an 18-month proof-of-concept project.

Tier 3governmenteuresearch-commercializationgrant

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	European Research Council
Amount	€150,000 lump sum for an 18-month proof-of-concept project
Deadline	2026-09-17
Decision time	Expected feedback for the 17 September cut-off is 14 January 2027.
Eligibility	The PI's main ERC grant must be ongoing or have ended after 1 January 2025, and the proof-of-concept idea must arise substantially from that ERC-funded research. One application per call is allowed.
Restrictions	An 18-month lump-sum Horizon Europe action must deliver the agreed proof-of-concept work and comply with host, ethics and grant requirements. Only further work exploring innovation potential of an idea arising from the PI's ERC-funded research; one submission per call and normally at most three PoC awards per main grant, six for Synergy.
Status	open

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Prepare the administrative form, Part B and host support
Submit through Funding & Tenders before the cut-off
Pass eligibility
Receive independent single-stage evaluation on excellence
Accept the lump-sum agreement if selected

Background

European Research Council operates ERC Proof of Concept Grant. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. ERC awarded 300 Proof of Concept grants totaling €45 million in 2025 The 2026 first deadline selected 136 projects

How the application really works

Prepare the administrative form, Part B and host support → Submit through Funding & Tenders before the cut-off → Pass eligibility → Receive independent single-stage evaluation on excellence → Accept the lump-sum agreement if selected

Tips

Show direct fit with all fields arising from ERC-funded frontier research.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is open.
An 18-month lump-sum Horizon Europe action must deliver the agreed proof-of-concept work and comply with host, ethics and grant requirements.
Only further work exploring innovation potential of an idea arising from the PI's ERC-funded research; one submission per call and normally at most three PoC awards per main grant, six for Synergy.

Track record

ERC awarded 300 Proof of Concept grants totaling €45 million in 2025
The 2026 first deadline selected 136 projects

Current award totals are available, but no complete comparable eligible-application denominator is published on the checked page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: open. Next verified deadline: 2026-09-17.
What is the real economic value?: €150,000 lump sum for an 18-month proof-of-concept project
Who is eligible?: The PI's main ERC grant must be ongoing or have ended after 1 January 2025, and the proof-of-concept idea must arise substantially from that ERC-funded research. One application per call is allowed.
How does selection work?: Prepare the administrative form, Part B and host support; Submit through Funding & Tenders before the cut-off; Pass eligibility; Receive independent single-stage evaluation on excellence; Accept the lump-sum agreement if selected. Expected feedback for the 17 September cut-off is 14 January 2027.
What burden and restrictions apply?: An 18-month lump-sum Horizon Europe action must deliver the agreed proof-of-concept work and comply with host, ethics and grant requirements. Only further work exploring innovation potential of an idea arising from the PI's ERC-funded research; one submission per call and normally at most three PoC awards per main grant, six for Synergy.
What evidence exists?: ERC awarded 300 Proof of Concept grants totaling €45 million in 2025 The 2026 first deadline selected 136 projects Current award totals are available, but no complete comparable eligible-application denominator is published on the checked page.

Sources

erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/proof-concept — Official live deadline, amount, eligibility, process, restrictions, materials and latest results (checked 2026-08-10)
erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/timeframe-advanced-proof-concept-2026-evaluation — Official feedback date for the September cut-off (checked 2026-08-10)