Fundraising & Project Management
Investigator Career Grants Processes
Fundraising & Project Management
Investigator Career Grants Processes
Our individual support consists of:
- Feedback on CV and guidance for which call to focus on and timing for submitting a proposal.
- Individualized proposal support with sparring and feedback on drafts.
- Interview training for those who pass on to second round evaluation.
- Meetings with foundations, general information meetings and training activities across AAU.
Our support to the Departments consists of:
- Feedback on potential applicants, and guidance for linking funding opportunities with talent development.
- Elaboration of specific calls based on the Department's priorities and needs.
Career Grants processes
ERC proces
Early spring
Process announcement
October
StG Deadline
January
CoG Deadline
August
AdG Deadline
DEADLINES
According to the ERC Work Programme, the tentative dates for the different instruments are expected in the following months:
- ERC Starting Grant - October
- ERC Consolidator Grant - January
- ERC Advanced Grant - August
- ERC Synergy Grant - November
KEY DATES AND STEPS IN THE SUPPORT PROCESS FOR 2025 CALLS
- March: Identification of participants for the ERC webinars
- February: ERC information meeting for all interested hosted by Fundraising & Project Management. Will be advertised separately.
- April 23 and 29: Two ERC webinars with an external consultant and Fundraising & Project Management.
- May: Follow-up workshop with Fundraising & Project Management.
- June: Individual meetings with F&P. Focus on profile assessment, ERC panel selection, and ERC proposal plan.
- June onwards: Individual support based on needs and timing of the proposal.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE ERC PROCESS?
- Researchers who plan to submit an ERC proposal for the upcoming deadlines.
- Researchers who want to develop an ERC proposal in a 2-3 year horizon.
- If needed, Fundraising & Project Management will ask Departments to prioritize candidates.
THE ERC PROFILES
- Starting Grant profile: PhD age of 2-7 years. Independent research profile. At least one significant publication in top journals/proceedings. Early signs of leadership potential. Previous grant (e.g. postdoc grant). International profile and mobility.
- Consolidator Grant profile: PhD age 7-12 years. At least 4-5 significant publications in top journals/proceedings. A clear independent profile and an established track record as PI. Acknowledged profile in the international community. Mobility and strong international collaboration.
- Advanced Grant profile: No specific PhD age. Established resarch leaders. A track record of significant research achievements within the last 10 years.
The ERC grant supports excellent researchers in pursuing a ground-breaking idea with the potential for breakthrough contributions to their own research field and beyond.
COSTS
Fundraising & Project Management covers the cost of the ERC webinars. Any additional costs e.g. for covering individual sessions with the external consultant must be covered by the Department.
Find support and tools
Specialized funding support
Fundraising and Project Management's Investigator Career Grants Team focuses on investigator-driven grants (forskningslederbevillinger), such as proposals for The European Research Council (ERC), Sapere Aude, and similar PI-driven grants offered by the Danish private foundations, including Villum Fonden, and Novo Nordisk Foundation.
HOW WE WORK
We offer competitiveness assessment of researchers’ profiles and comprehensive guidance and support for individual researchers, proposal feedback, and interview training. We work closely with local fundraisers and management to identify coming applicants and help AAU faculties and departments to promote and target these types of funding opportunities. We offer a course on ERC, as well as webinars and info meetings about different career grants.
OUR CORE ACTIVITIES ARE
- Individual support to applicants
- Identification of future applicants in cooperation with departments and faculties
- CV analysis and strategic advice
- Information and training
