Applying for an ERC Proof of Concept Grant requires a submission of a full proposal. The submission will be followed by a one-step evaluation procedure.

For application the following rules have to be considered:

• Only ERC grant holders (StG/CoG/AdG/SyG) are eligible to apply for an ERC Proof of Concept-funding
• By the time of the application the original ERC-project has to be either ongoing or has ended less than 12 months before the publication of the call
• Only one proof of concept grant may be awarded per each ERC-funded project

A complete proposal includes the following components

• Administrative Forms (to be edited online via EPSS)
• A Proposal which must not exceed 7 pages (upload as PDF via EPSS)
• Supporting documentation (upload as PDF via EPSS): 1. Binding statement of the host institution confirming support and the independence of the Principal Investigator 2. Ethical issues annex

The administrative forms ask for the following information:

• Administrative data concerning the Principal Investigator, the scientific project as well as a representative of the host institution (A1)
• Data concerning the host institution (A2) and the estimated research budget (A3).

The research proposal contains 4 sections:

• Section 1 has to contain a description of the idea drawn from the ERC funded project. This should include an indication of the ERC-funded project itself as well as a demonstration of the relation between the ERC-funded project and the idea drawn from it.
   
• Section 2 has to contain an early-stage innovation strategy. This includes a clear description of the innovation potential of the idea as well as of economic and social benefits. Furthermore, the commercialization process to be followed has to be defined.Depending on the commercialization strategy, the following activities should be described if applicable:

• Technical testing and reporting
• Market analysis
• Clarification of intellectual property rights
• Plans for industry contacts

• Section 3 has to contain a plausible plan of activities. This includes a project-management plan and a description of the team.
   
• Section 4 has to contain a proper justified budget.

The research proposal must not exceed 7 pages. Proposal material presented beyond this limit may not be evaluated by evaluators.

Regarding the supporting documentation, it has to be noted that proposals without the binding statement of the host institution will not be considered for evaluation.