The European Research Council (ERC) is a prestigious program that supports the highest level of creative and challenging frontier research. It is one of the key components of Horizon Europe. For Korean researchers, the ERC is more than just a source of research funding — it is a valuable opportunity to demonstrate international research competitiveness and leadership. However, European Union programs like the ERC may still be unfamiliar to many in Korea, and a clear understanding of its structure, application procedures, and preparation process is essential.

This handbook has been prepared to offer practical support to Korean researchers aiming to apply for the ERC for the first time. We believe that this handbook will serve as a small yet meaningful guide on that journey.

Download: The ERC Application Guidebook for Korean Researchers

Table of Contents:

The ERC Application Guidebook for Korean Researchers: A Step by Step Handbook

1. Introduction to the ERC and Horizon Europe
2. Who is Eligible to Apply
3. How to Prepare your ERC Application
4. Writing a Competitive ERC Proposal
5. Understanding the ERC Evaluation Process
6. Additional Resources

Appendix: Useful tools

1. Quick Reference Tools
2. Proposal template Part B1 (ERC Starting Grant 2025)
3. Proposal template Part B2 (ERC Starting Grant 2025)
4. Host Institution Letter Template

For further information and guidance, you can also check our ERC Webinar for Korea. Here are the presentation materials from the 2024 edition:

• https://k-erc.eu/2024/10/uncategorized/21405/
• https://k-erc.eu/2024/10/eu-research-career/21480/