Navigating ERC Funding: Insights for Researchers

June 17, 2026 Written by ttoweb

The Bilkent University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and the Middle East Technical University (METU) Project Development Office (PDO) successfully co-hosted “Navigating ERC Funding: Insights for Researchers” at the Bilkent UNAM Conference Hall.

The European Research Council (ERC) stands as the premier tier of frontier research funding in Europe. To support our research community in navigating this highly competitive landscape, today’s event focused heavily on strategic alignment. Specifically, we explored how to effectively translate groundbreaking scientific concepts into proposals that meet the rigorous standards of ERC evaluation panels.

The event featured a comprehensive program delivered by distinguished national experts and grant recipients:

  • Aslı VURAL (ERC National Contact Point, TÜBİTAK) delivered an essential briefing on ERC funding schemes, structural frameworks, and recent policy updates.
  • Prof. Dr. Efe TOKDEMİR (Bilkent University, ERC 2025 Consolidator Grant Holder) provided detailed reflections on navigating the evaluation process within the Social Sciences and Humanities (SH2) panel.
  • Dr. Mustafa YÜCEL (METU Institute of Marine Sciences, ERC 2021 Consolidator Grant Holder & ERC Ambassador) shared his personal journey within the Physical Sciences and Engineering (PE10) domain, while highlighting the objectives of the newly established ERC Ambassadors Network.

The event concluded with an open discussion, “Beyond the Grant: ERC Conversations.” This session brought together our grant holders, TÜBİTAK, and institutional specialists to address the operational, administrative, and legal compliance structures required throughout the project lifecycle.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed speakers, panelists, and the many researchers from various institutions whose active participation contributed to the success of this event. Developing a competitive ERC proposal is a monumental undertaking; the Bilkent TTO and METU PDO remain fully committed to serving as institutional partners, offering robust support from conceptualization through to final submission.

ERC

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