The British Academy ERC Starting Grants Webinar 2026 will provide free guidance for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences who are preparing applications for the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. The online session is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, from 14:30 to 16:00 BST.
The webinar is being organized by the British Academy as part of its European Research and Collaboration programme. It will focus on helping researchers understand the ERC proposal and evaluation process, including important considerations when planning, writing and costing a Starting Grant proposal.
What Is the British Academy ERC Starting Grants Webinar?
The British Academy runs ERC-focused webinars for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences who are interested in applying for European Research Council grants.
The sessions are led by British Academy Fellows with experience of ERC grants and evaluation panels. Their purpose is to help researchers better understand how ERC proposals are structured and evaluated and what applicants need to address when preparing their applications.
The September webinar specifically focuses on the ERC Starting Grant 2027 call, which opened on July 22, 2026, and has an application deadline of October 14, 2026.
British Academy ERC Webinar 2026: Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Webinar | ERC Starting Grants Webinar |
| Organizer | British Academy |
| Target audience | UK-based researchers in humanities and social sciences |
| Date | September 28, 2026 |
| Time | 14:30–16:00 BST |
| Format | Online webinar |
| Main topic | ERC Starting Grant 2027 |
| Webinar registration deadline | September 25, 2026 at 12:00 midday |
| B1 draft submission deadline | September 17, 2026 at 12:00 midday |
| Cost | Free |
| Recording | Not recorded |
The British Academy confirms that the webinar will not be recorded, making advance registration particularly important for researchers who want to attend.
Who Can Attend?
The webinar is intended for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences who are interested in applying for ERC funding.
The ERC itself accepts Starting Grant applications from researchers of any nationality, provided they meet the applicable eligibility requirements and have an appropriate host institution in an EU Member State or associated country.
For the British Academy webinar, however, the stated target audience is specifically UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences. Researchers outside this group should check the British Academy’s stated eligibility and audience requirements before registering.
What Will the Webinar Cover?
The session is designed to provide practical insight into the ERC application process.
According to the British Academy, participants will gain a deeper understanding of:
- The ERC proposal format
- How proposals are evaluated
- Key issues to consider when planning a proposal
- How to structure and write an ERC application
- Costing a research proposal
- Important considerations for preparing an application
The webinar will be led by Professor Patrick Haggard FBA and other British Academy Fellows with experience of ERC grants and/or evaluation panels.
Opportunity to Receive B1 Proposal Feedback
One of the most useful features of the webinar is the opportunity for selected researchers to have their B1 draft proposal reviewed by the panel.
Researchers who want their proposal considered for feedback must indicate their interest on the webinar registration form and send their B1 draft to the British Academy by September 17, 2026 at 12:00 midday.
However, submission does not guarantee that the proposal will be reviewed.
If selected, the proposal will be discussed during the webinar with names and personal details removed. This allows participants to receive guidance while protecting the identity of the researcher and other personal information.
ERC Starting Grant 2027
The webinar is particularly timely because the ERC Starting Grant 2027 call is currently open.
The ERC states that Starting Grants are aimed at talented early-career researchers who have already produced excellent supervised work, are ready to conduct research independently, and show potential to become research leaders. Researchers of any nationality can apply.
The standard eligibility window is 0–10 years from completion of the PhD, although extensions can be granted in certain circumstances, including parental leave, illness, national service, clinical training and other qualifying situations. The ERC uses the certified date of successful PhD defence when calculating the eligibility window.
ERC Starting Grant Funding
The ERC Starting Grant can provide substantial research funding.
For the current scheme, Starting Grants may provide up to €1.5 million for a period of five years. An additional €1 million may be available for certain eligible costs when properly justified. For Principal Investigators relocating to the EU or an associated country from a non-associated third country, the additional funding ceiling can be up to €2 million.
The ERC states that grants can cover up to 100% of eligible direct research costs, together with a contribution of 25% of total eligible costs toward indirect costs.
ERC Starting Grant Research Areas
ERC grants operate on a bottom-up basis, meaning applicants can propose research in any field rather than being restricted to predetermined research priorities.
The ERC organizes evaluation across three broad domains:
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Social Sciences and Humanities
This makes the Starting Grant relevant to researchers across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Host Institution Requirement
An ERC application requires a single Principal Investigator to submit the proposal on behalf of a host institution.
The host institution must provide appropriate conditions for the researcher to independently lead the research and manage the funding. The host can be a legal entity in an EU Member State or associated country.
The researcher does not necessarily need to be employed by the host institution when the proposal is submitted, although an agreement and commitment are required if the proposal is successful.
Important Webinar Deadlines
Researchers interested in the British Academy session should keep track of three important dates:
September 17, 2026 at 12:00 midday: Deadline for sending a B1 draft proposal for consideration for webinar feedback.
September 25, 2026 at 12:00 midday: Registration deadline for attending the webinar.
September 28, 2026 from 14:30–16:00 BST: Webinar takes place.
The British Academy emphasizes that not every submitted B1 proposal will be reviewed.
How to Prepare
Researchers planning to attend should consider preparing their ERC proposal materials before the webinar.
Useful preparation may include reviewing the current ERC Starting Grant call, developing the core research idea, identifying an appropriate host institution and beginning work on the B1 proposal.
The ERC itself recommends allowing sufficient time for peers, National Contact Points and other researchers to review a draft before submission.
Final Thoughts
The British Academy ERC Starting Grants Webinar 2026 is a valuable free guidance opportunity for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences preparing for the ERC Starting Grant competition.
The September 28 session will provide insight into proposal preparation, evaluation, planning, writing and costing, while selected researchers may also receive feedback on their B1 draft proposals.
With the ERC Starting Grant 2027 deadline set for October 14, 2026, researchers who are considering an application should use the webinar as an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the competition and refine their proposals before the ERC deadline.
SEO Keywords: British Academy ERC Starting Grants Webinar 2026, ERC Starting Grant 2027, ERC Starting Grants UK, British Academy webinar 2026, free research webinar UK, ERC funding humanities social sciences, ERC grants humanities, ERC grants social sciences, ERC Starting Grant deadline 2026, European Research Council Starting Grant, UK researchers ERC funding, academic funding opportunities 2026
Also Check
McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants 2027: Up to $200,000 for Chicago Nonprofits Supporting Youth Workforce Readiness and Food Access
First Gen Fellowship 2026: $1,000 Grants for First-Generation College Students Facing Financial Hardship in the United States
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CculATjfuTNKDISQGtP0uw?s=cl&p=a&mlu=4&ilr=4
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7isAg6buMKEWUmte0K
Facebook Page:
2 thoughts on “British Academy ERC Starting Grants Webinar 2026: Free Guidance for UK Researchers in Humanities and Social Sciences”