ERA Chairs

ERA Chairs aim to attract outstanding scientists and innovators to universities, research organisations or research infrastructures in Widening countries. The objective is to foster brain circulation, create pockets of excellence, and strengthen institutional culture and performance. The scheme intends to boost research excellence, international competitiveness, and institutional reforms in alignment with European Research Area (ERA) priorities. Projects result in strengthened mobility, research capacity, human capital, and links between research and innovation actors throughout Europe.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Government organization, Company, Other
Start date	6 Apr 2027
End date	14 Sep 2027
Max funding	Up to 2,500,000 EUR per project
Budget	175,000,000 EUR allocated for the call in 2027
Coverage	Covers salaries, recruitment, travel and administrative expenses related to the ERA Chair holder and research team, as well as consumables and equipment (up to 10% of the EU contribution)

Grant application conditions

Eligible applicants	Legal entities (universities, research organisations, research infrastructures) established in Widening countries may apply as mono-beneficiaries.
Coordinator requirements	Participation as coordinators is limited to legal entities established in Widening countries, as defined in Horizon Europe regulation.
ERA Chair holder eligibility	ERA Chair holders must be outstanding researchers and/or innovators in any scientific domain and may not have a current contractual relationship with the coordinator institution.
Team recruitment	The ERA Chair must establish a new research team fully integrated into the coordinator’s institution. Recruitment must be open, transparent, and merit-based, conducted by an international panel chaired by the ERA Chair.
FTE commitment	ERA Chair holder must commit at least 50% FTE (including on-site presence) until the permanent appointment of a research group leader by month 36. If not appointed, the ERA Chair should remain committed at least 20% FTE for the remaining project duration.
Research group composition	Leader of the newly created research group must be appointed permanently within the first 3 years through an open process monitored by the European Commission. At least 20% of the new research group must have permanent positions. No more than 50% of the group should have had a prior contractual link to the host institution.
Project duration	Expected action duration is 5 years.
Contractual arrangements	All arrangements, time commitments, on-site presence, salary, travel, allowances, and perks must be indicated in the proposal.
Sustainability	Proposals must show the structural reforms and the team’s long-term sustainability beyond Horizon Europe funding.
Gender equality and ERA compliance	Proposals must address gender equality in line with ERA objectives. Applicants must demonstrate or foresee compliance with the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements