Quick answer
No. You do not need to already hold a permanent position at a university or research institute when you submit an ERC Starting Grant proposal. You do need an eligible Host Institution that supports the application and is prepared to host and engage you if the proposal is funded.
The official ERC Starting Grant page states that the PI does not need to be employed by the Host Institution at proposal submission, while a mutual agreement and commitment are necessary if the proposal is successful.
Official source: ERC Starting Grant
Permanent employment and Host Institution commitment are different things
Applicants sometimes collapse two separate questions into one:
- Do I already need a permanent academic job?
- Do I need a Host Institution for the ERC application?
The answer to the first is no. The answer to the second is yes.
The Host Institution must provide suitable conditions for the PI to independently lead the research and manage the funding if the proposal succeeds.
| Requirement | At submission | If funded |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent academic position | No | Not an ERC-wide requirement |
| Eligible Host Institution identified | Yes | Yes |
| Host Institution commitment | Yes | Yes |
| Already employed by that Host Institution | No | Appropriate engagement is required for the grant |
| Research team already hired | No | Team is recruited/organised according to the funded programme |
Can a postdoc without a permanent position apply?
Yes, provided the applicant meets the current eligibility conditions and has an eligible Host Institution supporting the application.
The more important scientific question is whether the applicant is ready to lead an independent research programme.
The proposal and CV should make it clear that the scientific direction is intellectually owned by the PI rather than simply continuing a former supervisor's programme.
Read: ERC CV, Track Record and scientific independence ->
The ERC proposal can be part of the transition to independence
Alessandro's perspective
I would not interpret "find a Host Institution" as "first secure a permanent academic job." Those are different questions.
A strong ERC idea can precede the permanent position. The proposal itself can become part of a serious discussion with prospective Host Institutions because it describes a potential five-year research programme, team and scientific direction.
That does not mean an ERC application automatically produces a job offer. Institutional employment policies vary. It means that an applicant can approach potential hosts with a concrete scientific programme rather than waiting for a permanent position before beginning the ERC process.
When should you approach prospective Host Institutions?
Start early enough to discuss more than paperwork.
Useful topics include:
- scientific fit with the department or institute;
- independence and space to establish the programme;
- laboratory and infrastructure needs;
- equipment access;
- PhD and postdoctoral recruitment;
- administrative support;
- budget and institutional processes;
- the formal Host Institution commitment required for submission.
Host selection is part of research design because the environment influences what the programme can realistically execute.
How should you choose the Host Institution?
Institutional prestige can matter in a career, but it is not the only criterion for an ERC project.
Ask:
- Can I build an independent research group here?
- Are the facilities and technical support compatible with the programme?
- Is the surrounding expertise complementary rather than duplicative?
- Can I recruit the people the project needs?
- Will I have the scientific and operational freedom to lead the programme?
- Does the institution understand the commitments involved in hosting an ERC PI?
The right Host Institution is the place where the proposed research programme can become real, not simply the most recognisable institutional name.
Does winning an ERC automatically give you a permanent position?
No. ERC funding and institutional employment status are separate matters.
Some universities or national systems may have specific policies linking major grant success to recruitment or career progression, while others do not. Applicants should discuss the relevant employment arrangement directly with the prospective Host Institution.
Do not interpret an institution-specific policy as a general ERC rule.
What if you want to move later?
ERC grants have a portability framework, but transfers are subject to the grant agreement and applicable ERC rules.
If portability is relevant to your situation, use the current official documentation and discuss the practical implications with the Host Institution and ERC support rather than relying on a general summary.
A simple way to think about it
You do not need:
a permanent academic position first
You do need:
a strong scientific idea + an eligible Host Institution + institutional commitment + a credible environment for the research
Before submission, confirm
- current Starting Grant eligibility;
- Host Institution eligibility;
- Host Institution commitment;
- conditions for PI independence;
- facilities and infrastructure;
- team recruitment feasibility;
- employment/engagement arrangements if funded;
- the current ERC call documents.
Related resources
- ERC Starting Grant eligibility 2027
- ERC Host Institution guide
- ERC CV and Track Record
- ERC Start Here
Developing an ERC Starting Grant idea?
If you are deciding whether the scientific concept, Host Institution and independence case are sufficiently developed, Arvacore can review the proposal strategy before you invest heavily in a full draft.