RCN or ERC?
Both RCN (Research Council of Norway) and ERC (European Research Council) grants are very competitive, but ERC is considered even more competitive and prestigious. ERC budgets are typically larger than their RCN counterparts. Talk to the research advisor or your cluster leader/supervisor if you are unsure which is the best fit.?
For RCN applications, RITMO's research adviser will be your contact point for administrative and budgetary concerns.?
For ERC applications, RITMO's research adviser will be your contact point for administrative and budgetary concerns if you are affiliated with RITMO-IMV. If you are affiliated with RITMO-PSI or RITMO-IFI, you will need to coordinate with the EU advisor at your department. RITMO can still contribute with giving feedback etc., but the application will be followed up by the departments.
The RCN's FRIPRO calls are open-ended. The ERC's calls have a set deadline. Link to the project types and upcoming deadlines can be found in the Expression of interest form.?
Who is involved in your application?
PI: “Principal Investigator” / Project Leader = you
Head of RITMO: Alexander Refsum Jensenius
Research Advisor: Marit Johanne Furunes
Feedback group: 2-3 people from the PI group at RITMO + the research advisor
Schedule
Apart from the common activities, the applicant sets up their own schedule (in coordination with the research advisor). For ERC applications, a schedule will be set up that fits with the deadline.?A good project application can take 6-9 months to develop, keep that in mind when you are planning your own process.?
| What | Responsible | Deadline/Date |
|---|---|---|
| Express interest via web form | PI | 15 January |
Pitch to the leadership and PI group (for new projects and external applicants) | PI | 27 January, 13:15-15:00 |
Food&Pitch (to the whole centre) | PI | TBA |
| Project workshop | PI | 14/15 April (Tour de RITMO) |
| Set up first budget draft | PI, Research advisor, and controller | Individual deadline for each PI |
| Submit first draft to feedback group | PI | Individual deadline for each PI |
| Feedback from readers | Feedback group | 3-4 weeks after submission of draft |
| Budget approval from Departments | Research advisor | Approx. four weeks before planned submission |
| Submit second draft to leadership and RA | PI | Approx. two weeks before planned submission |
| Finalize budget (No budget changes after this) | PI and Research advisor | Approx. two weeks before planned submission |
| Feedback and final approval on second draft | Leadership and Research advisor | Approx. one week before planned submission |
| Finalize and submit proposal | PI | After you have received final approval |
Budgeting
The research adviser and project controller will help you set up, revise and finalize your budget. FRIPRO projects must start 8-18 months after your submit your application. ERC start dates are stipulated in the call.?
You do not need prior knowledge of project finances.
The research adviser will contact you to set up a meeting.
Other relevant information
Funded projects will merge back into their home departments (IMV, PSI or IFI) after the end of RITMO.?
Info pages from the funders
- RCN's website about FRIPRO
- European Research Council's website on which ERC grant scheme is best suited for your research project.
Webinars
- Research Council of Norway's webinar about changes to the FRIPRO calls.
- European Research Council's webinar on the 2026 ERC calls (to be updated when ERC posts updated webinars).