Designed exclusively for researchers who have previously received ERC funding, the PoC helps bridge the gap between frontier research and innovation by supporting activities that validate the commercial or societal potential of research outcomes.
The ERC PoC represents an important step in Europe’s innovation ecosystem. By enabling researchers to validate, protect, and develop promising discoveries, the programme helps transform excellent science into impactful solutions that benefit industry, society, and the economy.
For researchers with breakthrough ideas emerging from ERC-funded projects, the PoC offers a valuable opportunity to move beyond the laboratory and begin the journey toward real-world innovation.
What is the ERC Proof-of-Concept Grant?
The ERC PoC is an additional funding scheme that enables ERC grant holders to explore the innovation potential of their research results. Rather than funding new scientific discoveries, the grant focuses on demonstrating feasibility, reducing technical and commercial risks, and preparing innovations for the next stage of development.
Each grant provides up to €150,000 for projects with a duration of up to 18 months, allowing researchers to investigate whether their discoveries can be translated into practical applications.
What activities does the grant support?
PoC funding is intentionally flexible and can support a wide range of knowledge valorisation and innovation-focused activities, including:
- Market research and competitive analysis
- Intellectual property protection and patent strategy
- Prototype development and validation
- Technology demonstration and testing
- Business model development
- Regulatory and commercialization planning
- Customer discovery and stakeholder engagement
The objective is to generate evidence that demonstrates the viability and value of an innovation before seeking further investment or commercialisation opportunities.
Who can apply?
Eligibility for the ERC PoC is limited to researchers who hold or have recently completed an eligible ERC frontier research grant. Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed PoC project builds directly upon results generated through their ERC-funded research.
Because the scheme focuses on knowledge transfer, proposals are evaluated not only on technical merit but also on their innovation potential and implementation strategy.
Why Proof-of-Concept matters
Many promising research outcomes fail to reach the market because they are considered too early for investors, yet too applied for traditional research funding. Proof-of-Concept funding helps address this challenge by providing resources to validate technologies, reduce uncertainty, and demonstrate commercial readiness.
Successful PoC projects often lead to:
- Start-up creation
- Technology licensing agreements
- Industry collaborations
- Follow-on public or private investment
- New products and services with societal impact
By supporting these activities, the ERC helps ensure that publicly funded research delivers tangible economic and social benefits.
What to consider before applying for an ERC PoC?
- Does the project build directly on results from an eligible ERC grant?
- What is the innovation potential? Whose needs is the project addressing and how?
- Any IP, market, and implementation considerations?
What do the reviewers look for?
- Eligibility & excellence: clear innovation potential stemming directly from the ERC-funded research.
- A convincing route to impact: clear users, needs, value proposition, and exploitation route.
- Feasibility: a feasible implementation plan with focused activities, milestones, risks, and budget.
How can Fundament help you in developing a strong ERC Proof-of-Concept Proposal?
Fundament can help you develop a competitive ERC PoC proposal by clearly articulating:
- The innovation opportunity arising from the ERC-funded research
- The problem being addressed and the target users or customers
- A realistic work plan with measurable milestones
- Potential risks and mitigation strategies
- The expected pathway toward commercialisation or societal uptake
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