ERC Synergy Grants 2027 (ERC-2027-SyG)

Eligibility

The conditions specific to ERC grants are set out in the ERC Work Programme 2027 and the ERC Rules of Submission and Evaluation under Horizon Europe. ERC Synergy Grants support ambitious frontier research projects that can only be addressed through the combined expertise of a small group of Principal Investigators (PIs). Applications are welcomed from all scientific disciplines, including interdisciplinary research, except proposals falling within the scope of the Euratom Treaty, which must be submitted through the relevant Euratom programme. To be admissible, proposals must be complete, submitted by eligible PIs before the call deadline, and clearly align with the objectives of the Synergy Grant scheme. For the 2027 call (ERC-2027-SyG), the call opens on 17 February 2027 and closes on 11 May 2027. The grant provides up to €10 million for a maximum of 72 months, with up to €4 million additional funding available in justified cases. 

Synergy Grant groups must comprise two to four active and innovative PIs, each with a competitive track record appropriate to their career stage. PIs may be of any age, nationality, and country of residence at the time of application. Each PI must commit at least 30% of their working time to the project and, where hosted by an institution in the EU or an Associated Country, spend at least 50% of their working time in the EU or an Associated Country. Host institutions must normally be established in the EU or an Associated Country, although in a Synergy Grant one host institution (other than the corresponding host institution) may be located outside these countries, subject to the conditions set out in the Work Programme. The ERC expects the composition of the Synergy Grant Group to remain unchanged for the duration of the project; any departure of a PI is exceptional and subject to scientific review and continued eligibility. Applicants should also be aware that submission and resubmission restrictions apply based on participation and evaluation outcomes in previous ERC calls. 

Summary

The aim of the Synergy Grant is to support a small group (hereafter, the Synergy Grant Group) of two to four innovative and active Principal Investigators jointly addressing ambitious research problems that cannot be tackled by any single Principal Investigator and their team alone. Principal Investigators of any professional seniority, and with a competitive track record matching their career stage can apply. One of the Principal Investigators (except the Corresponding Principal Investigator) of the Synergy Grant Group may be hosted and engaged by an institution outside of the EU or an Associated Country

Overhead

25% on eligible cost categories

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Horizon Europe Pillar I & II funding opportunities require submission of an internal Notice of Intent (iNOI) to Research Services. 

The 2026 iNOI process will offer two (2) intake deadlines (January and May).

Submission of an iNOI is mandatory for applicants seeking partnership and application support. INOIs will be used to inform Research Services of the supports required for development of your research proposal.

Preparing a Horizon Europe application typically requires several months of thorough preparation; applicants forming or joining a consortium are encouraged to allocate at least six (6) months to develop, write, and refine their proposal. 

Deadlines for submission of a 2026 iNOI are organized by submission deadline for the Horizon Europe opportunity selected by the applicant. These timelines are designed to ensure sufficient time is available for RSO and UCI to provide meaningful partnership and application development support to UCalgary applicants leading up to application submission. 

In the event you are unsure which iNOI deadline applies to you, or you have not yet selected a specific Horizon Europe opportunity, please connect with us at horizoneurope@ucalgary.ca for assistance identifying the correct iNOI intake period.

The deadline to submit is 12 p.m. (noon) on the specified date, unless otherwise indicated.

Researchers are encouraged to submit their iNOI proposals as early as possible. 

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application