ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-POC)

Call Updates

Dec 18, 2020 5:44:39 PM

An overview of the evaluation results for the third deadline (Flash call info) is now available under the 'Topic conditions & documents' section on the topic page.

Sep 23, 2020 10:51:07 AM 

A total of 205 proposals were submitted in response to the third and final deadline (17 September 2020) of the ERC 2020 Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot Call (ERC-2020-PoC). This represents an 18% decrease compared to the third cut-off deadline of 2019.
Overall the ERC 2020 Proof of Concept call received 531 proposals (2% more than 2019 call).

The ERC-2020-PoC call is closed.

The tentative dates for the next call ERC-2021-PoC, have been published on the ERC website: opening for submission on the Participant Portal on 14th January 2021, with 3 cut-off dates (deadlines): 16 March 2021 - 17 June 2021 and 20 October 2021 (17:00:00 time zone Brussels time).
Please note that the dates are subject to the adoption of Horizon Europe and the ERC Work Programme 2021.

Jul 29, 2020 5:17:29 PM

An overview of the evaluation results for the second deadline (Flash call info) is now available under the 'Topic conditions & documents' section on the topic page.

May 19, 2020 6:34:56 PM

For the third and last deadline of the ERC-2020-POC  – Proof of Concept Call (cut off date: 17 September 2020 at 17:00 (Brussels local time):
As a result of the difficulties applicants face due to the COVID-19 outbreak (and as already applied for the second cut off),  the blue ink signature of the legal representative can be replaced by their electronic signature and the stamp of the host institution is no longer a mandatory element in the Annex 1 “Commitment of the host institution”.

May 7, 2020 5:57:59 PM

A total of 178 proposals were submitted in response to the second intermediate deadline (07 May 2020) of the ERC 2020 Proof of Concept call (ERC-2020-PoC). This represents 35% of submissions more than received for the second-cut off of the 2019 call, and 30 proposals more than the first cut-off for this 2020 call.
The final deadline for submission to this call is 17 September 2020 (17:00:00 Brussels local time).

NB: According to the rules on restrictions on applications (ERC 2020 WP), a Principal Investigator may submit only ONE PoC application per call.

Apr 3, 2020 7:03:40 PM

As a result of the difficulties applicants face due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have extended the deadline for the second cut off of the ERC-2020-POC  – Proof of Concept Call (initially foreseen on 23 April 2020): the new second cut off deadline is 07 May 2020 17:00 - Brussels Local Time.

Further to the above, for applications received before the extended deadline of the second cut-off: the blue ink signature of the legal representative can be replaced by their electronic signature and the stamp of the host institution is no longer a mandatory element in the Annex 1 “Commitment of the host institution”.

Jan 27, 2020 11:49:51 AM

A total of 148 proposals were submitted in response to the first intermediate deadline of this call (initially 21 January 2020, but extended 48 hours to 23 January due to IT issues with EU login).
This represents 11 proposals more (8%) than for the first cut-off for the 2019 call.
The second intermediate deadline for submission is 23 April 2020, and the final deadline for submission is 17 September 2020 at 17:00 (Brussels local time).
According to the new rules on restrictions on applications (ERC 2020 WP), a Principal Investigator may submit only one application per call.

Jan 22, 2020 10:32:41 AM

Due to the persistent problems with EU Login applicants are still blocked from submitting their proposals to the first deadline of the ERC Proof of Concept 2020.
The ERC has therefore decided to extend the deadline by another 24 hours. The new cut-off deadline in the submission system will be tomorrow 23 January at 17:00 (Brussels time).

Nov 4, 2019 12:53:48 PM

The submission session is now available for: ERC-2020-POC(ERC-POC-LS)

Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant ID: ERC-2020-POC

Type of action:
ERC-POC-LS ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot

Deadline Model : multiple cut-off
Planned opening date: 15 October 2019
Deadline: 21 January 2020 17:00:00 Brussels time , 23 April 2020 17:00:00 Brussels time , 17 September 2020 17:00:00 Brussels time

Horizon 2020

Call name: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant
Call ID: ERC-2020-PoC

Scope:

Objectives:

The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim to maximise the value of the excellent research that the ERC funds, by funding further work (i.e. activities which were not scheduled to be funded by the original ERC frontier research grant) to verify the innovation potential of ideas arising from ERC funded projects. Proof of Concept Grants are therefore on offer only to Principal Investigators whose proposals draw substantially on their ERC funded research.

Size of ERC Proof of Concept Grants:

The financial contribution will be awarded as a lump sum of EUR 150 000 for a period of 18 months. The ERC expects that normally proof of concept projects should be completed within 12 months. However, to allow for those projects that require more preparation time, projects will be signed for 18 months. Given this initial flexibility, extensions of the duration of proof of concept projects may be granted only exceptionally.
The lump sum offered will cover the beneficiaries' direct and indirect eligible costs for the project: if the project is implemented properly the amounts will be paid regardless of the costs actually incurred. Specifically, the lump sum has been designed to cover 100% of the eligible direct costs and indirect costs calculated by applying a flat-rate of 25% to the direct cost categories.

Profile of the ERC Proof of Concept Eligible Principal Investigator:

All Principal Investigators in an ERC frontier research project, that is either ongoing or has ended less than 12 months before 1 January 2020, are eligible to participate and apply for an ERC Proof of Concept Grant.

For further information please see the ERC Work Programme 2020.