ERC Proof of Concept Grant – Belgian webinar

Webinar

This information webinar on the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept Grant is organised by the National Contact Points (NCPs) for ERC at NCP Flanders and NCP-FNRS to inform researchers wishing to apply with a Belgian host institution and staff members of Belgian host institutions.

This funding is exclusively available to researchers (Principal Investigators or PIs) having received an ERC main grant (i.e Starting, Consolidator, Advanced or Synergy) that is ongoing or has ended less than 12 months before the 1^st of January of the year that gives its name to the call. For the 2026 call, only PIs in an ongoing ERC main project or whose grant has ended on or after the 1^st of January 2025 are eligible to apply.

The ERC Proof of Concept Grant 2026 call was expected to open on 13 November 2025 with a first deadline for application (or cut-off date) on 17 March 2026 and a second one on 17 September 2026. These dates have however an expected delay of about 3 weeks and the Proof of Concept webpage of the ERC website shows the most up-to-date information. The provisional details can be found in the ERC work programme 2026. The call will be published on the European Commission Funding and Tender Portal.

Participation to the webinar is free but restricted to researchers wishing to apply with a Belgian host institution, or staff members of Belgian host institutions. Registration is required.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the organisers:

NCP-FNRS:
Mireia Tomàs Giner

NCP Flanders:
Margot Beereboom

HORIZON-EUROPE

Programme
Registration

Welcome
10:00
Overview on the ERC Proof of Concept Grant call
Line Fredslund VOLKERS, Call Coordinator ERC Proof-of-Concept, ERC Executive Agency

10:05
Questions & Answers
10:30
Perspectives from a grant holder including Questions & Answers
Virginie Van Ingelgom, DACAT project (2023 call), UCLouvain

10:45
Perspectives from a panel member, including Questions & Answers
Pr Dr Ir Michel Morant, 2024 call, Expert Innovation and Knowledge Transfer - ex-CEO TT Office and Company at University of Liege

11:10
Perspectives from a grant holder including Questions & Answers
Wim De Malsche, 3D PIV (2019 call), VORTEX SENSOR (2022 call) and EVO-LC (2022 call), Vrije Universiteit Brussel

11:35
End of the webinar
12:00

Please fill in the registration form. Registrations will have to be validated and this can take some time, thank you for your patience. After validation you will receive your personal link to participate to this Zoom webinar.

It would be useful to gather your questions in advance to allow an information webinar that would better address your needs. You can pose them at the end of the registration form (in the “Questions and comments” box) and/or contact (one of) the organisers later.