23/02/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 25 February, the European Research Council (ERC) will launch its first call for projects under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (see EUROPE 12649/13). ‘Starting Grants’ are designed to help top European researchers set up their own independent research teams or programmes. They represent a total budget of €619 million. The deadline for applications is 8 April. Further calls will follow, in line with the ERC 2021 work programme (https://bit.ly/3pUdHAJ ) launched on Monday 22 February. The call for ‘Consolidator Grants’ - €633 million in total - will be open from 11 March to 20 April. A €626 million call for ‘Advanced Grants’ will be launched on 20 May for senior researchers and will be open until 31 August. (AC)