The EU Mentoring Network was initiated by the Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Dr Monika Stoll, and Professor Dr Ryan Gilmour, who also serves as the chair of the programme. It provides structured support to researchers at career stages R2 and R3 throughout the entire application process for ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants. The network is coordinated by the Zukunftslabor.
The European Research Council (ERC) funds ground-breaking, curiosity-driven frontier research. Funding is not tied to any theme and is open to all disciplines and fields. The decisive criteria for an award are the excellence of the research project and of the applicant. ERC Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants are individual grants awarded to the principal investigator and are portable between host institutions.
Proposals can only be submitted in response to an open call. Calls are generally opened once a year. A researcher may hold no more than one Starting Grant and one Consolidator Grant over the course of their career.
Starting Grants
Starting Grants may be applied for where the PhD was awarded no more than ten years before 1 January of the call year. The date of the PhD defence is the reference point. An application is therefore possible immediately after completion of the doctorate.
The grant covers up to €1.5 million for a project duration of up to five years.
Consolidator Grants
Consolidator Grants may be applied for where the PhD was awarded between five and fifteen years before 1 January of the call year.
The grant covers up to €2 million for a project duration of up to five years.
Extension of the eligibility window
These periods are extended in cases of documented career breaks, for example maternity leave, parental leave, prolonged illness, clinical training, or experience of violence. Extensions are granted on the basis of appropriate supporting evidence.
The EU Mentoring Network is aimed at postdoctoral early-career researchers with an outstanding academic record. It is addressed specifically to researchers at career stages R2 and R3 as defined by the European Framework for Research Careers: Recognised Researchers (R2), who hold a PhD but are not yet fully independent, and Established Researchers (R3), who have developed a degree of research independence.
The programme therefore addresses researchers preparing an ERC Starting or Consolidator Grant application. For a Starting Grant, the PhD must have been awarded no more than ten years before 1 January of the call year; for a Consolidator Grant, between five and fifteen years before that date. Documented career breaks, such as parental leave or prolonged illness, extend these periods. A competitive application requires that applicants have established themselves as experts in their field through independent publications.
The programme is organised in annual cohorts. Throughout the application process, mentees are supported by the consultants at ERS GmbH and by their personal mentors. A training programme provides a thorough introduction to all parts of the proposal, explains the work of the evaluation panels, and prepares mentees for the interview stage.
As experienced researchers with considerable experience in EU projects, mentors support and advise the early-career researchers throughout the entire application phase. As part of a tandem mentoring approach consisting of a mentor from a related discipline and a mentor from another discipline, participants work closely with the ERS GmbH advisors, who provide professional support throughout the application process.
The mentors maintain personal contact with mentees throughout the application process, provide strategic advice and offer insights into their experiences with applications and selection interviews.
European Research Services (ERS) GmbH has proven expertise in advising on ERC application formats. Professional application advisors support and optimise the mentees' entire application process by providing needs-oriented and relevant training and advice. ERS consultants work in a close network together with the mentors.
The advisors at ERS GmbH offer the mentees a differentiated insight into the assessment process. The mentees gain an insight into the criteria used by reviewers to categorise and evaluate previous academic achievements and project applications.
The ERS GmbH training programme provides information and knowledge about the application process, the panels in the selection procedure and the components of the application. The working sessions provide a sound introduction to all parts of the application. In addition, extensive information materials are provided and assistance is given with all parts of the application, such as budgeting.
The ERS GmbH consultants are available as contact persons at all times, comment on parts of the application, provide support in complying with the necessary administrative processes and prepare for the selection interviews.
The call for the Class of 2027 is open. Applications may be submitted until 1 September 2026. The Class of 2027 will start on 1 November 2026.
Applications are made using the application template provided. Please attach a current CV and an overview of your track record to date.
Questions about the call are welcome and can be directed to Dr Agnes Laba: agnes.laba@uni-muenster.de