Yes, when submitting a proposal for an ERC Starting Grant, the Principal Investigator must submit a Commitment Letter signed by the legal representative of the hosting institution. A template for the Commitment Letter is available in EPSS and in the Guide for Applicants.

In this statement, the hosting institution confirms its association and support to the proposal and confirms that the Principal Investigator will have full scientific responsibility for the project. Host institutions also have to confirm that they intend to sign a Supplementary Agreement with the Principal Investigator if the grant is funded by the ERC. This Supplementary Agreement covers the rights and obligations of both contracting parties according to the requirements laid down in Annex II of the Grant Agreement and the Model Supplementary Agreement provided by the ERC.