The European Research Council (ERC) has confirmed that the call for Consolidator Grants 2026 closed on 13 January 2026, attracting a total of 3,060 applications from researchers across Europe and beyond
The figures, released on 16 January 2026, provide an early indication of demand for one of Europe’s most prestigious funding schemes for mid-career researchers.
Consolidator Grants are designed to support excellent scientists and scholars who are consolidating their independent research teams or programmes. With substantial funding and intense competition, the call remains a key indicator of trends in European research.
Application numbers show mixed trends
The 2026 call recorded a slight 2% decrease compared to the 2025 round, suggesting a stabilisation following last year’s high level of interest. At the same time, the number of applications represents a 32% increase over the 2024 call, underlining the continued attractiveness of ERC funding in a competitive global research environment.
These figures point to sustained confidence in the ERC as a funding body, particularly at a time when researchers face increasing pressure from limited national budgets and rising research costs.
Physical sciences and engineering lead the way
As in previous years, the Physical Sciences and Engineering domain attracted the largest share of applications. A total of 1,238 proposals were submitted in this area, accounting for 40.5% of all applications. This shows strong activity in fields such as physics, engineering, computer science, and related disciplines, where ERC grants are often seen as essential for pursuing high-risk, high-gain research.
The Social Sciences and Humanities followed closely, with 1,086 submissions representing 35.5% of the total. This substantial share highlights the continued vitality of research addressing societal, economic, cultural, and political challenges in Europe and globally.
Life Sciences received 736 applications, corresponding to 24% of submissions. While smaller in absolute terms, this remains a robust showing for disciplines spanning biology, medicine, and health-related research.
Gender balance remains unchanged
Women submitted 38% of the proposals in the 2026 call, the same proportion as in 2025. While this indicates stability, it also suggests that progress toward greater gender balance among applicants has stalled.
The ERC has consistently highlighted gender equality as a priority, and these figures will likely renew discussions about how to further encourage and support women researchers at the consolidator stage of their careers.
Funding outlook and next steps
Under its Work Programme 2026, the ERC has earmarked €673 million for Consolidator Grants. This budget is expected to fund around 328 projects, meaning that roughly one in ten applications is likely to be successful. The highly selective nature of the scheme underscores both its prestige and the intensity of competition.
The evaluation of proposals is now underway, involving peer review by leading international experts. Applicants will face a rigorous assessment process focused on scientific excellence, the originality of the research idea, and the applicant’s potential to deliver ambitious results.
The ERC expects to announce the projects selected for funding in autumn 2026. For thousands of researchers, the coming months will be marked by anticipation, as the outcome of this process could shape the direction of their research careers and contribute significantly to Europe’s scientific and scholarly landscape.
