Q: For ERC Grant schemes: What is meant by "portability"? Can I change my host institution and take the grant with me?

A: The PI is expected to establish and conclude the funded research project in the original Host Institution, which supported the PI's grant application (applicant legal entity). However, the PI can move from one Host Institution to another if there is a specific and justifiable reason to do so. An agreement between the current and the new Host Institution should be provided. The portability applies only to the PI and not to the Host Institution. There is no formal requirement regarding the time of transfer of the Grant from one institution to another. However, the ERC expects that this would not normally be done within the first two years of the start of the project. Therefore, before providing its approval to such a transfer, the ERC will take into consideration if the time of the transfer is acceptable on a case by case basis.