The European Research Council has announced the second call for proposals within the "Starting Independent Researcher Grants" programme. ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grants aim to support up-and-coming research leaders who are about to establish or consolidate a proper research team and to start conducting independent research in Europe. Young researchers of all nationalities can apply for the programme, 3 to 8 years of postdoc research experience are required. Proposals are seclected on the grounds of academic excellency only - they are due by the end of October this year.

Many universities in Germany such as Frankfurt University organise preparatory workshops in order to support candidatures from their ranks.

Further Information

ERC: Starting Independent Researcher Grants
http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=65

Frankfurt University: preparatory workshops
http://www.forschungsfoerderung.uni-frankfurt.de/