Expression of Interest Programme for ERC Grants

Shape Your Research Future: SFU’s Expression of Interest Programme for Aspiring ERC Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grant Applicants

Are you an ambitious researcher with a vision for independent, innovative research? Sigmund Freud Private University (SFU) welcomes expressions of interest from scholars eager to develop pioneering ERC projects in an inspiring, multicultural environment.

Why SFU Vienna?

1. Cutting-Edge Infrastructure and Diverse Academic Community at SFU

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Benefit from close cooperation with experts across psychology, psychotherapy science, medicine, and law, fostering innovative and cross-cutting research approaches.
• Modern research infrastructure: Access up-to-date facilities, digital resources, and research support systems tailored to high-level academic projects.
• Supportive environment: Engage in a dynamic academic culture that actively supports grant writing, project development, and international networking.

2. Vienna: A City of Inspiration and Opportunity

• Central European hub: Vienna’s central location and role as a leading center for global organizations, research institutions, and start-ups offer outstanding networking and career opportunities.
• Cultural richness: Enjoy a stimulating backdrop of world-class museums, music, art, and culinary delights for both academic and personal growth.

3. A Multicultural Collaborative Context

• Research Support Center: Facilitates networking with national and international researchers and provides resources to navigate the proposal process, including practical guides, tutorials, and materials.
• Diverse Community: Join a vibrant academic environment that values cross-cultural exchange and perspectives.

Join Our Express of Interest Programme

Who should Apply?

Early-career researchers (StG: 2–7 years post-PhD) and consolidating leaders (CoG: 7–12 years post-PhD) and established research leaders (AdG) seeking a dynamic institution to anchor their ERC projects.

What We Offer:

• Feedback on synopses and full proposals to align with ERC excellence criteria
• Support with ERC proposal preparation, including budgeting, administrative guidance, and submission procedures
• Facilitation of cross-departmental and cross-disciplinary partnerships to encourage innovative and high-impact research proposals
• Support in building international consortia, attending ERC-related workshops, and enhancing applicant profiles through SFU-hosted events and partnerships
• Mock evaluations, and internal peer review panels to refine scientific content and ensure alignment with ERC expectations

Apply Now!

Deadline: Rolling admission of proposals for the ERC-2025-ADG open call and forthcoming ERC 2026 calls will be accepted until 15 August 2025:

Required documents:

– Application Form (Part B1 of the ERC template)

• ERC Starting Grant (Link: https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant):
  ERC StG call opens in July 2025, deadline October 2025  (Application form: „2a-erc_stg_b1_application form.rtf“)

• ERC Consolidator Grant (Link: https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/consolidator-grant):
  ERC CoG call opens in September 2025, deadline January 2026 (Application form: „2b-erc_cog_b1_application form.rtf“)
  

• ERC Advanced Grant (Link: https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/advanced-grant):
  ERC AdG call opens in May 2026, deadline August 2026 (Application form: „2c-erc_adg_b1_application form.rtf“)
  

– Declaration Form to confirm the applicant’s intent to choose SFU as host institution

– Statement on Host Institution (max. 1 page) outlining reasons for selecting SFU

– Funding ID summarizing all current grants and on-going / submitted grant applications of the PI

Submission:
Submit your full application in a single PDF file (Applicant’s First Name_SFU_EoI ) via email to: research@sfu.ac.at.
Applicants will be notified by e-mail regarding the results of their application by September 15th, 2025. (Nota bene: A special procedure will be implemented for AdG proposals submitted in 2025.)

Learn More:
https://www.sfu.ac.at/de/

Data Protection Notice:
The personal data collected as part of this Expression of Interest call will be processed by Sigmund Freud Private University (SFU) solely for the purpose of evaluating and managing ERC grant applications. Data will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).