Q: For ERC Grant schemes: Advanced Grants: Could a researcher who is nearing retirement apply for the ERC Advanced Grant?

A: The aim of the ERC Advanced Grant is to "fund individual teams led by established, innovative and active Principal Investigators ... [who] pursue ground-breaking, high-risk research that opens new directions in their respective research fields or other domains." Therefore, if the applicant can prove - independently of his/her age - that this is the case, then he/she is welcome to apply. The commitment and official support of the host institution is nevertheless required for the whole duration of the grant. For more information, please refer to the ERC Work Programme (available at URL: http://erc.europa.eu/pdf/l-wp-201101_en.pdf), or the relevant ERC Guide for Applicants.