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Funding callLife sciences · International

ERC Synergy Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG)

The ERC Synergy Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG), from the European Research Council, supports groups of two to four principal investigators jointly addressing an ambitious research problem in any field, with the call expected to open on 17 February 2027 and close on 11 May 2027. This guide covers research areas consistent with the scheme, eligibility and readiness checks, what panels typically value and how to plan a joint proposal.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
11 May 2027
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
European Research Council
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
11 May 2027
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
European Research Council
Country
International
Scheme type
Project grant
Funding
As stated in the call documents
Eligibility
Groups of two to four principal investigators jointly addressing an ambitious research problem in any field; call opens 17 February 2027 and all PIs must remain eligible throughout evaluation.
Scope
Life sciences

Topics consistent with the call

  • Interdisciplinary life sciences problems requiring combined experimental and computational expertise
  • Integrative studies of complex biological systems across molecular, cellular and organismal scales
  • Research combining physical sciences or engineering with biology and medicine
  • Ambitious problems in neuroscience requiring complementary methods and expertise
  • Questions at the interface of life sciences, social sciences and humanities

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. Confirm that the group comprises two to four principal investigators who meet ERC eligibility rules.
  2. Define a research problem that genuinely requires the combined expertise of all PIs.
  3. Check that each PI can remain eligible throughout the evaluation period.
  4. Confirm host institution arrangements, budget rules and call dates in the ERC work programme.
  5. Prepare a complete, institutionally approved application before 11 May 2027.

Why This Funding Call Matters

Some of the most ambitious research problems cannot be solved by a single investigator, however capable. The Synergy Grant is designed for such problems, funding small groups of principal investigators who bring complementary skills, knowledge and resources. Because it is open to any field, it allows teams to propose work that crosses disciplinary boundaries without fitting a predefined theme. For established researchers, it offers the chance to pursue a shared high-risk, high-gain programme that would be difficult to fund through individual grants.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Molecular and cell biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Computational and systems biology
  • Biophysics and bioengineering
  • Biomedical and translational research

Institutions and sectors

  • Universities
  • Public research organisations
  • Research institutes and hospitals
  • Other host institutions eligible under ERC rules

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A research problem of exceptional ambition that goes beyond the current state of the art.
  2. A clear case that the synergy between PIs is essential to achieving the goals.
  3. Strong track records of each PI relative to their career stage.
  4. A feasible plan that integrates methods, resources and responsibilities across the group.

Ideas You Could Develop

Mapping brain-wide circuit dynamicsA joint programme combining large-scale neural recording, connectomics and theoretical modelling to explain how distributed circuits support decision-making.
Cellular decision-making across scalesA collaboration linking single-molecule biophysics, cell imaging and mathematical modelling to understand how cells make fate decisions.
Host-microbiome co-evolutionA programme uniting microbiology, evolutionary biology and immunology to study how host and microbial communities shape each other over time.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 11 May 2027. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 16 Mar 2027

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 30 Mar 2027

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 13 Apr 2027

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 27 Apr 2027

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 6 May 2027

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 11 May 2027

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

The European Research Council is looking for groups of two to four principal investigators who together address an ambitious research problem that none could tackle alone. Strong proposals typically show scientific excellence, a convincing rationale for the synergy, a well-integrated work plan and PIs who remain eligible throughout evaluation. Eligibility conditions, budget rules, call dates and submission requirements should be confirmed in the ERC work programme and official call documents.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 11 May 2027. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

Synergy Grant groups often include principal investigators at different host institutions, and ERC rules set out where PIs and host institutions may be based. Applicants should confirm current location and host institution requirements in the ERC work programme and call documents before forming the group.

Groups of two to four principal investigators jointly addressing an ambitious research problem in any field; call opens 17 February 2027 and all PIs must remain eligible throughout evaluation. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. European Research Council. (2026). ERC Synergy Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG). Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/synergy-grant

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). ERC Synergy Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG). Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/erc-synergy-grant-2027-erc-2027-syg/

  • ERC
  • Synergy Grant
  • Collaborative research
  • Frontier research
  • Europe

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ERC Synergy Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG)Next deadline 11 May 2027

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