Host Your ERC Project at ICL – In Multidisciplinary, Globally Engaged, Human-Centred Research Environment
At the Institut Catholique de Lille (ICL), a multidisciplinary university with a strong focus on humanistic values and social innovation, researchers are committed to addressing the major challenges of contemporary societies. With its five faculties and a dynamic network of research centres, the ICL fosters high-level research in areas such as law, ethics, political science, engineering, education, health, sustainability and environment, societal transitions, theology and more. The ICL actively participates in European and international research programmes, encouraging collaboration across disciplines and borders. More information is available at https://www.univ-catholille.fr/en/research-presentation/.
Priority topics include the following areas. Nonetheless, the call remains open to any project relevant to the disciplines and expertise of the host research teams
- “Silver Society” and vulnerability/disability.
- Cities, territories and human-centered intelligent mobility.
- Industry of the future for a positive impact on the environment and humanity.
- Geopolitics and risks.
The ICL strongly values diversity, academic freedom and the internationalisation of research.
If you are applying for an ERC Starting Grant (ERC StG) or Consolidator Grant (ERC CoG), we invite you to submit a formal request to the ICL for institutional support prior to your submission to the ERC.
For ERC Advanced Grants and Proof of Concept Grants please contact the Research Vice-Rectorate (recherche@univ-catholille.fr) directly to initiate a preliminary discussion regarding potential hosting arrangements.
Should your application be selected through our internal evaluation process, and subsequently positively evaluated by the ERC, the ICL will offer you a hosting agreement and, where relevant, a contract for the duration of the grant, according to the terms discussed with your host faculty or research unit.
Eligibility and Profile
In line with ERC rules:
- Candidates of any nationality may apply.
- For Starting Grants: 2 to 7 years of experience after completion of PhD and a promising scientific track record.
- For Consolidator Grants: more than 7 and up to 12 years of experience after PhD and a strong track record of achievements.
Your research project must be compatible with the priorities of one or more ICL research centres or laboratories. Interdisciplinary and societally relevant approaches are particularly welcome.
Support and Hosting Conditions
Selected candidates will be required to sign mutual commitment agreement specifying the terms of support and hosting by the Institut Catholique de Lille, as well as the mutual rights and obligations. This contract commits the candidate to submit an ERC project proposal under the affiliation of the Institut Catholique de Lille.
Selected candidates hosted at the ICL will benefit from:
- A dedicated supervisor or mentor from the host unit
- Extended support in grant preparation and grant management by the ICL’s Vice-Rectorate for Research and Funding Office Hub Financement.
- Access to internal research infrastructures and collaboration networks.
- Possibility of co-financing or complementary support from ICL strategic programmes (Vision 2030, SMOS-IN/OUT) and regional support resources (FRAPPE).
- Support for integration into the local academic and social environment (housing, mobility, French language, etc.)
How to Apply for ICL Hosting Support
- A detailed CV
- A summary of your ERC proposal (5 pages)
- A short motivation letter, explaining your choice of the ICL as host institution
- An indication of the ICL faculty or research unit you wish to join
- At least one academic letter of recommendation
Please send your application by email to recherche@univ-catholille.fr.
We guarantee strict confidentiality of all personal data and project concepts shared with us.
Timeline
- Internal deadline for requesting ICL support – at least two months before the relevant call launch.
- Selected applicants will be invited for an interview (remote or in-person) with a pre-selection panel composed of ICL academic and administrative staff.
Note on employment conditions
An employment or hosting agreement will be offered only upon successful selection of your ERC project. Employment conditions will depend on the grant budget and the hosting faculty or institute, and will comply with French and institutional regulations.
