The European Commission adopted on 20 July 2026 the 2027 work programme for the European Research Council (ERC) under Horizon Europe's Pillar I 'Excellent Science', setting a maximum EU contribution of EUR 2 810 750 000. The implementing decision, referenced as C(2026)4907, finances the ERC component of the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe and adopts the work programme as set out in the Annex. The budget is financed from budget line 01.020101 of the 2027 EU general budget, but implementation depends on the availability of appropriations in the adopted 2027 budget or provisional twelfths system.
The decision provides flexibility for managing the work programme: cumulated changes to action allocations not exceeding 20% of the maximum contribution are not considered substantial, provided they do not significantly affect the nature of the action or the work programme objective. The maximum contribution increase shall not exceed 20%. Additionally, grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to bodies selected according to criteria set out in the Annex. The contribution is without prejudice to resources transferred for a Member State's benefit under Article 15(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation (EU) 2021/695, financed from budget lines 05.020900 (ERDF) and 05.030700 (Cohesion Fund).
This is the first time in over 180 days that the Commission has published a specific ERC work programme decision, marking a significant step in the annual planning for the EU's flagship research funding scheme. The ERC, under Pillar I, supports frontier research across all fields, and the 2027 budget of €2.81 billion represents a substantial investment. The flexibility to reallocate up to 20% of funds without triggering a substantial change allows the ERC to adapt to emerging research opportunities or administrative needs. The provision for direct grants without calls for proposals could expedite funding for exceptional cases, though it may raise concerns about transparency and competition among researchers.
Stakeholders most impacted include EU researchers and research institutions, who will benefit from continued funding but may face uncertainty if direct grants bypass competitive calls. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD) oversees the implementation, while the ERC Scientific Council will manage the work programme. The European Parliament and the Council will monitor the use of the budget, particularly given the flexibility clauses. The decision also affects national research agencies in Member States, as the budget may be complemented by cohesion policy funds under Article 15(5). Overall, the adoption locks in funding for frontier research in 2027, with built-in administrative flexibility to manage the programme efficiently.