The European Research Council (ERC) has reversed some of its planned restrictions on scientists reapplying for grants after researchers signed an open letter criticising the move.��

In a statement, ERC president Maria Leptin said the research funding body had decided not to change resubmission rules for four of its main grant schemes under the 2027 Work Programme, namely starting, consolidator, advanced and ERC Plus grants.

But Leptin also said the funding body would introduce “wider restrictions” when it comes to applications for Synergy Grants, which fund teams of researchers working together to solve problems.��

The U-turn comes after the ERC announced on 16 April that it would take��“painful measures”, including restricting unsuccessful applicants from resubmitting for up to three years, to limit grant application numbers and alleviate “growing pressure” on selection panels.��

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Under those rules, anyone who received a C score at the first stage of either the ERC’s main grant call or its Work Programme in 2024, 2025 or 2026 would be prohibited from applying into the 2027 programme. Those receiving B scores in 2025 or 2026 could not apply in 2027.��

The move was met with swift criticism,��with more than 1,000 researchers��signing an open letter urging the ERC to reconsider its plans, claiming longer waiting periods would “discourage bold ideas in favour of ‘safe’ proposals”.��

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In her latest statement, Leptin thanked members of the community who responded to the earlier changes, saying feedback showed “concern about the change in the rules for resubmission”.��

“We value the useful and interesting suggestions in these responses. While many of the ideas had already been evaluated and considered by the ScC [Science Council], we will carefully review the suggestions and continue to consider how we can work together to ensure a viable ERC into the future,” she said.

“It is vital that we address the increasing number of applications, while maintaining an assessment process of the very highest quality.”

The rules for eligibility under the 2027 Work Programme will now remain the same.��Applicants who received a low “C” score at the first stage in 2025 or 2026 will not be allowed to apply again in 2027. Those who received a “B” score at the first stage in 2026 are also ineligible.

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The reversal means that researchers who applied in the 2024 cohort remain eligible to reapply.

For ERC Plus Grants, which support more senior researchers, the rules are stricter. As well as the same limits on C and B scores, researchers who were not selected at the first stage in the 2026 call will also not be able to reapply in 2027.

seher.asaf@timeshighereducation.com��