ERA Chairs 2027: EUR 1.5 to 2.5 million to attract an outstanding scientist and build a research group at institutions in Widening countries, including Ukraine

Horizon Europe has announced the ERA Chairs 2027 funding call under topic HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01. The measure is designed to help universities and research organisations in Widening countries, including Ukraine, attract high-calibre scientists and innovators to foster research excellence.

Grants range from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 2,500,000 per project for an execution period of five years. All project submissions must be completed before the call deadline on September 14, 2027.

What is funded

The grant provides financial support to establish and run a new research group led by an exceptional researcher or innovator. The initiative is intended to build sustained scientific capacity, elevate institutional standards, and boost international competitiveness over a five-year period.

Funding covers the operational and personnel requirements needed to embed the chair holder and their research team within the host organisation. Specific eligible cost structures follow the standard Horizon Europe regulations outlined in the call documentation.

Who can apply

The call is open to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), research institutes, and research infrastructures. Eligible organisations must be located in Widening countries, which explicitly include Ukraine.

Proposals are submitted under a mono-beneficiary model, meaning a single eligible institution applies directly without needing a cross-border consortium. While the host organisation must be based in an eligible country, the chair holder may come from any country worldwide.

Conditions and requirements

The nominated chair holder must not hold an existing employment contract with the applicant institution prior to the project. Once appointed, the researcher must commit at least 50% of their full-time equivalent to the initiative and maintain a regular on-site presence at the host entity.

The host organisation is required to recruit the group leader through an open, transparent recruitment procedure and award a permanent appointment. This condition aims to anchor scientific leadership within the institution beyond the initial funding period.

Practical tip. Review your internal human resources procedures in advance to ensure your institution can conduct an open international competition and offer a permanent contract. You must also verify early that prospective candidates have no active employment ties to your organisation to remain fully compliant.

How to apply

Applications must be prepared and submitted online through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Beneficiaries must complete the standardized electronic proposal forms and submit all required annexes before the deadline on September 14, 2027.

Because this is a mono-beneficiary call, the applicant institution manages the full submission independently. Detailed guidance notes and evaluation standards are made available directly within the portal workspace.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: ec.europa.eu.