Following a surge in applications in 2025, some European Research Council panels see up to 250 proposals per call. But reviewers say they are managing
Photo credits: Tanja Tepavac / Unsplash
Academics reviewing applications for European Research Council (ERC) funding are feeling the strain of a rising workload, but are not yet at breaking point, according to feedback received by Science|Business.
ERC proposals are evaluated by 91 peer review panels, which meet twice a year to shortlist applications that will be evaluated in depth, then to interview applicants and decide on the final ranking. Each panel handles between 50 and 150 proposals on average. While some see lower volumes, others have seen the workload top 250 applications in recent rounds. For example, success rates have fallen from 14.8% in 2023 to 12.2% in 2025 for applications to ERC starting grants, and from 14.5% to 11.2% for ERC consolidator grants.
“It was hard work and we had a lot of proposals to triage, around 20-25 each at the early stage, and then maybe eight to read in greater depth in the second round,” said…
Discover the latest in research funding every Tuesday with Funding Newswire. Dive into detailed articles with our monthly or yearly subscriptions or start with a free trial
NOTE: if you're a part of one of our Network member organisations, you get free access by signing up with your institutional email. Verify your eligibility here.
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and the fortnightly R&D Express, tracking reforms and investments in central and eastern Europe. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.