insights from 11 ERC Starting Grant winners

on Under the Microscope podcast.

Proposal writing is exhausting.

Specially at the beginning of your career as an independent researcher.

If you’re an early career scientist based in Europe then you’re probably applying for the ERC Starting Grant 2027.

Now…ERC grants are highly competitive and application process can be intimidating for scientists.

Imposter syndrome is at all time high.

Am I good enough😬 How do I even talk about my work 😳 What if my proposal isn’t ambitious enough🫣

When I’m overwhelmed and doubting myself, listening with someone who has been through the grind really helps!

This is exactly what I have for you today.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing 11 ERC Starting grant winners on my podcast - Under the Microscope🎙️

On each episode of my podcast, the guest scientist speaks very candidly about their research, their career journey, and their three wishes for science community. You get to see the human side of scientists.🧡

ICYMI, Under the Microscope is an independently run self-financed podcast where we spotlight materials and nanoscience. As the host and executive producer I’m very happy and proud to share that we’re in the 8th season and we’ve produced 300+ episodes featuring scientists from 40 countries.🥳

Read blogpost about 11 ERC Starting Grant winners

Typical podcast conversation flow:

  1. Please explain your research in simple words (max 5 lines)
  2. Could you share your career journey with us so far?
  3. Which research project are you most proud of and could you explain it in simple words in the section we call #InOtherwords?
  4. Other than research, what else do like about your life a scientist?
  5. If you had 3 wishes to improve your research experience, what would you ask for (not promising anything here!)?
  6. How are you and your institute adopting AI?

11 ERC Starting Grant winners blogpost with episode links

As an ERC applicant, most valuable sections for you:

  • Questions 1 and 3: scientists talk about their research funded by ERC Starting grant scheme.
  • Questions 2 and 5: scientists talk about the application process and research funding landscape.

Forward this email to your friends or colleagues applying for ERC Starting Grant 2027.🧡

Lastly, official resources kits for Starting Grant 2027 and Consolidator 2027 got massive updates this week. You can purchase these official resources kits by following links in PS item number 3 and 4.

Cheers,
Pranoti Kshirsagar Founder, The Science Talk

PS: If, apart from my email, you also need help strengthen SciComm strategy, I think you’ll be happy about:

  1. Personal branding workshop on Aug 25 (online) where I teach you essential elements of building your personal brand in digital spaces in the age of AI. Register for Personal Branding Workshop.
  2. Impact strategy for research proposals where I work with principal investigators who want professional science communication that matches the ambition and budget of their grant proposal. More details are on my website.

In case you missed it: special shoutout from ERC for The Science Talk podcast. Episode guest - Anna Sandak, ERC Consolidator grantee and coordinator of EIC-Pathfinder project REMEDY

  1. ERC Starting Grant Resource Kit 51 official resources, organised in 11 sections including core webpages, ERC classes, compliance & AI guidance, and examples of winner grants - all in one pdf. Access ERC Starting Grant Kit

  2. ERC Consolidator Grant Resource Kit 50 official resources, organised in 8 sections including core webpages, evaluation & panels, videos & webinars, results & examples, compliance & requirements, and examples of winner grants - all in one pdf. Access ERC Consolidator Grant Kit.