European Union Research Grants

Many grants exist to fund European Union research.

A political and economic union of 27 European countries, the European Union has interested researchers and institutions since its creation in 1993. However, researchers--both institutional and individual--may be surprised to know that significant funding exists for projects focusing on the European Union. Whether researching economic policy or scientific discoveries, researchers working on topics related to the European Union should look into the funding options that exist to help support their projects.

Fulbright

Many scholars are aware of the Fulbright program, which funds research projects by Americans abroad. However, fewer know that the Fulbright also exists for regional projects and that a special commission exists for those researching the European Union. Unlike Fulbrights for study in other countries, young professionals must have two years of post-bachelor's work experience. Researchers should create a project based on the European Union, preferably in two or more member states. They must become affiliated with an institution or institutions within the European Union where they will conduct their research. Although prospective Fulbright grant recipients may be able to complete their projects knowing only English, a basic understanding of the country's language is highly recommended, and is required for applicants who plan to study at the master's level. Fulbright research grants to the European Union last for nine months.

Fulbright Program

IIE/Headquarters

809 United Nations Plaza

New York, NY 10017-3580

212-984-5330

us.fulbrightonline.org

European Commission (via European Union Grants Advisor)

The European Union Grants Advisor, powered by Microsoft, does not award grants itself; however, it does help prospective applicants narrow down the European Union research grants given out by the European Commission for which they are eligible. Because the grants given by the Commission are numerous and vary widely by country, the Grants Advisor service functions as more than a search engine. Not only does it allow individuals and institutions to search for funding opportunities, but it also provides free access to advisors who help evaluate a company's eligibility and notifications when new grants are released. Listed grants may include funding for agricultural, political or economic research, among many other fields, in a wide variety of amounts.

European Commission

Avenue du Bourget n° 1

1140 Evere, Brussels

Belgium

32-2-299-11-11

ec.europa.eu

European Research Council

For scientists looking to pursue research focused on issues affecting the European Union, the European Research Council (ERC) awards grants to researchers of any nationality, as long as they carry out their research in a European Union member state or associated country. The council does not limit the fields of eligible research. The ERC awards two kinds of grants: Starting Grants, for researchers with between two and ten years of post-doctoral experience, and Advanced Grants, for researchers with at least ten years of experience in their field. Grants, meant to support principal investigators as well as their research teams, offer a maximum of 2,000,000€ for Starting Grants or 3,500,000€ for Advanced Grants and may be for as long as five years. Interested applicants must find a host institution to engage the principal investigator.

European Research Council

Place Rogier 16

COV 2 , BE-1049 Brussels

Belgium

32-2-298-7804

erc.europa.eu

References

• European Research Council: How to Get Funding
• European Union Grants Advisor Search
• US Fulbright Online: Program Resources, European Union