Present a competitive Project
1. Department's internal procedure
Researchers wishing to propose the Department of Physics and Astronomy as the Host Institution for their application to competitive funding calls such as ERC, Rita Levi Montalcini, and FIS must contact the Competitive Calls Pre-Evaluation Committee (CPBC) well in advance of the call deadlines. The required documentation is the same as that to be sent as an attachment to the Rector (see following paragraph, University procedure), namely an up-to-date curriculum vitae and a provisional title and abstract of the project they intend to submit.
|
Type of call |
Deadline to Contact the CPBC |
|
ERC-Starting Grant |
15/6 |
|
ERC-Consolidator Grant |
30/9 |
|
ERC-Advanced Grant |
15/5 |
|
Rita Levi Montalcini |
Preferably within one week of the call's release date |
|
FIS |
Preferably within one week of the call's release date |
The function of the CPBC is to facilitate the interaction between the proposing researchers and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. This is intended to foster mutual understanding and build a shared pathway towards a successful application, converging the interests and aspirations of the proposer with the resources and needs of the Department, including its teaching mission.
Positively evaluated candidates will be invited to hold a presentation seminar open to the entire department, including Master's students. Where possible, and compatible with the call timelines, the seminar should be held at least one month before the official deadline.
In the days following the seminar, the Department's Steering and Self-Assessment Committee (CIA) will discuss the request for Host Institution status and, if approved, will present it to the Department Council, which will likely deliberate and agree its approval.
As illustrated in the following paragraph, University procedure, the University has established an ERC Task Force (https://www.unifi.it/en/research-and-innovation/research/funding-opportunities/european-research-council-erc-programme) that can be contacted for assistance during the drafting phase of ERC projects (and eventual interviews).
Alice Bernamonti, Luca Chirolli, Francesca Intonti, Piergiulio Lenzi, Silvia Nava, Stefania Salvadori
Contacts:
CPBC Coordinator & Experimental Matter Physics, francesca.intonti@unifi.it
Theoretical Physics, alice.bernamonti@unifi.it
Theoretical Matter Physics, luca.chirolli@unifi.it
Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics, piergiulio.lenzi@unifi.it
Applied Physics, silvia.nava@unifi.it
Astrophysics, stefania.salvadori@unifi.it
2. University procedure for ERC calls (to be followed in parallel)
For those intending to submit an application to the ERC calls, the University's procedure must also be followed in parallel with the Department of Physics and Astronomy's internal steps:
Starting from 2025, the University of Florence has adopted specific University Guidelines regulating the participation methods for ERC calls by external or internal candidates who intend to indicate UNIFI as the Host Institution.
The guidelines are reported below and at the following link:
Professors or external researchers who intend to choose the University of Florence as their Host Institution for an ERC application may express their interest by writing to rettrice@unifi.it, attaching an updated curriculum vitae in the ERC format and an abstract of the project they intend to submit.
The request will be assessed, approximately within two weeks, taking into account the consistency of the candidate’s profile and project proposal with the criteria of the ERC Work Programme, as well as the University’s capacity to support and promote the specific project activities proposed.
The applications accepted can rely on the support of the European and International Research Projects Unit for the preparation of their proposals. In particular to:
- enhance their profile by setting up their CV and track record in the best possible way
- receive support from specialised personnel at all stages of proposal preparation
- prepare the budget with the assistance and guidance of expert staff
- prepare for the interview by means of simulations organised by the University in order to train candidates admitted to the second evaluation step.
In the event of admission to funding, a dedicated contact person will be assigned to follow the researcher through all the stages of negotiation and subsequent reporting.
Professors or researchers who have already won an ERC project and intend to transfer their project to Florence may contact the European and International Research Projects office to get in touch with the University structures, to agree on the terms and methods for the transfer of the grant and to receive assistance in all the steps required by the EU to formalise the transfer of the project.
For winners of individual ERC projects Italian Ministry for University and Research (MUR) Decree 919 of 22 July 2022 provides for the possibility of direct appointment under tenure track positions.
For technical-administrative support, please contact: ricercaue@unifi.it
Last update
07.01.2026