A “cold, hard look at yourself” is necessary before a Consolidator Grant bid, advises winner
Top tips
- Time your application carefully, taking into account your likely rating on the European Research Council’s scale.
- Advice from academic peers can be just as valuable, if not more, than that from consultants.
- Always keep in mind the ERC’s requirement for ground-breaking, excellent research.
- Apply only with something you are passionate about.
Among the most prestigious mid-career grants in Europe, the European Research Council’s Consolidator Grants are for researchers of any nationality with between seven to 12 years’ experience since completing their PhD.