ERC Applications for Starters & Consolidators: Tips & Tricks
General context
The ERC (European Research Council) supports excellent scientists at different steps in their career. It provides highly competitive grants for both beginning and experienced scientists.
This training provides you with unique insights in the application process of ERC funding. You will learn what reviewers are looking for. Unique hands-on exercises with real VIB ERC applications will help you to craft a strong application, assess its strengths and remedy its weaknesses. We will show you the basics of a strong abstract, the key steps in writing proposals (including SWOT analysis), and mitigation plans. Finally, we will help you in composing the strongest possible CV.
To provide researchers with a good understanding of:
- The ERC criteria and how reviewers use them to evaluate the excellence of applicants and proposals.
- How to formulate a strong research question and write a research proposal that takes the specificities of the panel into account.
- How to build your CV.
This training will give you the insights to write a highly competitive grant proposal that meets the stringent ERC standards and bring you closer to achieving your goals.
The training is highly interactive and provides all practical information on how to translate your research idea into an ERC application. Several eye-opening VIB examples will teach you how to improve your own proposal.
During the course, you will get feedback on your CV and a short abstract, which we will ask you to submit during the registration process.
Senior postdocs and group leaders at VIB who are looking to start or consolidate an independent research team and are planning to write an ERC starting or consolidator grant application.
- This training is free for VIB participants.
- Registration fee for non-VIB participants is € 50 (VAT incl).
- The course is not open for industry.
- Note that upon no show without valid justification you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information.
Trainers
Lieve Ongena
Senior Science Policy and Grants Manager
Lieve Ongena is an experienced science policy manager with deep knowledge in R&D strategy for the Biotech and Life Sciences sectors. She specializes in guiding researchers through European and international funding landscapes, with a strong track record in EU programs such as MSCA and ERC. Her approach combines strategic advisory with practical training, leveraging real-world examples to enhance research competitiveness and increased success.
Holding a PhD in Molecular Biology (Ghent University, 1989), Lieve advanced her research through European postdoctoral fellowships at Kyoto and Chiba Universities in Japan. She later served as policy advisor and business development manager at Innogenetics (now Fujirebio), one of Flanders’ pioneering biotech spin-offs, before joining VIB as a science policy advisor in 2000. Her career bridges scientific research, policy development, and cross-cultural partnerships, with a unique specialization in Japan–Europe research relations.
Elien Vandermarliere
International Grants Office Manager
Elien Vandermarliere is International Grants Office Manager at VIB, where she leads strategic support for international funding applications under Horizon Europe. She guides scientists at all career stages through highly competitive funding schemes such as ERC and MSCA, combining practical insights with strategic advice to help applicants strengthen the clarity, impact, and competitiveness of their proposals.
Elien holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from KU Leuven (2008), where she specialized in structural biology and protein crystallography. She broadened her expertise during postdoctoral research in bioinformatics and proteomics at Ghent University and VIB, contributing to research projects and mentoring students. Beyond her institutional role, Elien actively contributes to the European research community as a member of the EU-LIFE grants working group and as a reviewer for EU projects. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and funding strategy experience makes her a trusted trainer for researchers aiming to succeed in highly competitive funding landscapes.
Practical info
10 September 2020
Ghent - Clemenspoort
Overwale 3
9000 Ghent
Belgium
10 September 2020
Ghent - Clemenspoort
The Clemenspoort, the Clemenshuis, and the Clemenshof are integrated into a network of other buildings on the grounds of the former Redemptorist monastery, now the Overwale street.
Located just 250 meters from Ghent St. Pieters Station.
10 September 2020
Ghent - Clemenspoort
40 bike parking lots available.
10 September 2020
Ghent - Clemenspoort
Parking facilities available (€ 1.80 per hour). GPS address: Sint-Denijslaan 251. Take the driveway of the HoGent Sports Hall (not the HoGent Campus) and drive all the way to the end - past the HoGent parking areas. If you are registered in the 411 app, activate your license plate under the option 'Garage parking via license plate'. The barrier will open automatically, and payment will be processed via 4411.
10 September 2020
Ghent - Clemenspoort
+32 476 46 10 40