In its capacity as UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the European Research Council (ERC), the UK Research Office, in partnership with institutions from across the UK, is holding a series of information events for researchers who are interested in applying for the ERC Starting Grants or Advanced Grants:

• King’s College London (KCL), Tuesday 21st August 2012;
• University of Leicester, Wednesday 22nd August 2012;
• University College London (UCL), Wednesday 5th September 2012*;
• University of Glasgow, Wednesday 12th September 2012; and
• Natural History Museum (NHM), London, Tuesday 16th October 2012 (Advanced Grants only)

(*travel may take longer than usual due to the Paralympics)

Aim of each session
Each session will provide participants with an overview of the ERC Starting Grants or Advanced Grants schemes. Participants should gain a deeper understanding of the proposal format and the key issues they are required to address in planning, writing and costing an ERC Grant proposal. There will also be an opportunity to ask some questions. Attendance will be free of charge, thanks to the support from the organisations hosting the events.

Who should attend?
The sessions are aimed at researchers based in, or moving to, the UK who are planning to submit a proposal to the ERC Starting or Advanced Grants calls. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be eligible for the 2013 Starting Grant call, the Principal Investigator must have been awarded his/her first PhD at least 2 and up to 7 years prior to the publication date of the call for proposals (10 July 2012). This is extendable up to 11.5 years in certain strict cases.

Please note that UKRO intends to hold some additional events on the ERC Consolidator Grants in autumn 2012, which will be advertised in due course. However, those interested in the Consolidator Grants are welcome to attend the Starting Grant events if they wish, since both schemes are similar.

Programme outline
For the events at KCL, Leicester, UCL and Glasgow:

• The morning session will cover Starting Grants.
  It will start at 09:30 promptly (with registration from 9:10) and close at 13:15.
• The afternoon session will cover Advanced Grants.
  It will start at 14:00 promptly (with registration from 13:40) and close at 17:45.

For the event at the NHM:

• There will be a single session on Advanced Grants.
  It will start at 09:30 promptly (with registration from 9:10) and close at 13:15.

Please note that it is only necessary to attend one session and lunch will not be provided.

Additional Information:

Event flyer (.pdf)
Event web page, which includes a link to the registration form.
UKRO subscriber web pages on the ERC