ERC Reading Day 2026

The British Academy will host an ERC Proposal Reading Day for UK-based social science and humanities researchers preparing applications for European Research Council (ERC) Starting and Consolidator Grants.

The Reading Day offers prospective applicants the opportunity to read successful ERC grant proposals in the social sciences and humanities, gaining insight into how competitive proposals are structured, positioned, and articulated.

Fifty successful grant applications have been made available thanks to the generosity of current and former grant holders.

The Reading Day is intended to inform and inspire your own proposal development, while recognising that ideas and text must not be copied.

Reading successful ERC grant applications is a good opportunity to understand how to:

• Present your own research ideas clearly and compellingly
• Structure your research into a well-organised programme
• Thoughtfully position your research within wider contexts

The Reading Day is open to researchers eligible for Starting and Consolidator grants.

The Reading Day consists of an individual, in‑person reading session (two hours).

Participants will be asked to pre-select up to three proposals from a list organised by panel during registration. Printed copies will be provided on the day.

We suggest that you aim to read three grants so you have the benefit of comparative judgement.

Participants are encouraged to select grants within their broader research area. In addition, reviewing grants outside their immediate field may be beneficial, offering insight into how research themes are structured, including the development of Work Packages and the articulation of research questions.

Please note that the Reading Day does not include tutorials or advice-sessions on the ERC although there will be a short introductory video at the start of each session.

• Participation requires prior registration
• Phones, smart glasses and any other devices with recording or photography capability will not be permitted in the room. Laptops will be allowed for note-taking, and stickers will be provided to cover laptop cameras
• Photocopying or photographing the applications is strictly prohibited
• Participants will be required to sign a Declaration of Confidentiality upon registration
• To benefit fully from the session, participants should be involved in preparing a proposal and have prior knowledge of the different ERC grant schemes, eligibility conditions, and proposal documentation

You will be able to select one of the following timeslots during registration:

• 9:30–11:30
• 12:00–14:00
• 14:30–16:30

As places are limited, please only register if you are able to attend. Registration will close on Wednesday 20 May.

If your plans change, we kindly ask that you cancel your registration as soon as possible so that your place can be offered to another participant.

Rail travel to London (standard/economy class) can be reimbursed by the British Academy.

Please register using your institutional email address.

For any questions, please contact [email protected]