It is now the time to register!

For many of you, getting scientific recognition and independence, but more importantly being able to secure a permanent academic position, means being the recipient of a program of excellence. ERC is one such a program, but we all know of course that it is a highly competitive one and that the success rates are not extremely high, if not to say low…

However, if you are an ambitious postdoc with a great idea, then grab this opportunity.

The deadline for the ERC CoG is on January 13, 2026, and researchers are eligible for the ERC CoG if they have graduated their PhD thesis between 7 and 12 years. 

The Forschungsservice@BOKU is here to support candidates for such calls. FOS is currently running an ERC Mentoring program for Starting and Consolidator grants. A framework of this program can be found here (after login only). This program aims to support ERC candidates, from drafting their proposals, conducting proofreading, until preparing them for the hearing. And this is done together with the help of an experienced mentor. So, do not worry, you won´t be alone!

IMPORTANT: To enrol on this program, please contact us already NOW and before September 15, 2025, at projektsupport(at)boku.ac.at. If you are unsure whether your CV and/or your project´s idea fits the ERC Call, contact us and we will discuss this together.

Important dates for the ERC CoG 2026 to already enter in your calendar:

  • Brainstorming session (before the 150925 at the Cieslar Haus): I organise 1.5-hr individual brainstorming session for each potential candidate who might want to submit an ERC. Contact us per email before the September 15, 2025. During this meeting we also discuss who could potentially take the role of mentor (an experienced researcher at BOKU).
  • ERC CoG Writing Workshop (230925, 9 am - 3 pm at Türkenschanze, room TBD later). I hold a workshop where candidates can read previously accepted ERC applications and where we look at proposal´s structure (B1 and B2).
  • ERC Kick Off Mentoring Program (031025 from 9 am to 10 am via zoom). This short meeting marks the starting point of the Mentee-Mentor pairing process. I first introduce the rules of the BOKU Mentoring Program. The pairs can then discuss how they plan to further communicate, and exchange information related to the ERC application and their agenda.
  • ERC Presentation (121125 at Cieslar Haus). Each candidate will be able to present key elements of their ERC in a 10-min ppt presentation in front of a panel composed of the mentor, an expert from BOKU and myself (Olivier Guillaume). During the following discussion, the members will judge whether some readjustments of the ERC application are necessary and provide advice. A 1-hr slot is proposed for each candidate.
  • Webinar on the ERC Budget (261125, from 2 to 3 pm via zoom). During this short webinar, I explain to the candidates which costs are eligible and how they should construct their budget and enter the financial data in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and in our internal ePM system.
  • Deadline for ePM (101225). Due to the strategic nature of the ERC CoG, the candidates must complete the ePM by the December 10, 2025, at latest, which is approximatively 2 weeks before the Rektoratssitzung.
  • Rektoratssitzung for ERC CoG (231225). Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Christian Obinger, will validate all the applications for ERC CoG during this meeting.
  • ERC CoG Deadline (130126 at 5 pm). You have to submit your application via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. This portal will already be opened for you to start registering your application from the September 25, 2025. I highly recommend to start to insert administrative information earlier on to familiarise yourself with this portal. Please, do not wait until the January 13, 2026, to finalize your application. Do it one or two days ahead!

  • Proofreading. FoS can conduct proofreading for all candidates enrolled in our mentoring program. My availability will be discussed together with the candidates in due time. 

    Optional: Course on how to create effective scientific graphics (100925, 9 am to 12 am).

    Being able to quickly draw the attention of a reader, who can be a publication reviewer or a grant evaluator, can be efficiently done by presenting the concept of the study or the working plan in a graph. BOKU offers for the first time a course opens to our researchers to improve their skills in designing graphics. 

    Information & registration:  https://boku.ac.at/personalentwicklung/themen/personalentwicklung/fortbildungsprogramm-ws-2025-26/forschung-und-projekte/pe67w25-how-to-create-effective-scientific-graphics

Finally, FFG is also supporting candidates for ERC CoG. So, check their offers online regularly: https://www.ffg.at/events.

National Contact Point in Austria for: ylva.huber@ffg.at

Do not hesitate to also check regularly our webpage, where we inform researchers about upcoming calls: https://boku.ac.at/fos

02.09.2025