Research Grant Templates Simplified

These changes directly impact how grant application interfaces should be designed. The template simplification focuses on Section 3 of Part B, reorganizing impact section points and eliminating information duplication. For UX designers building grant platforms, this means fewer redundant form fields and clearer information architecture. The shift to two-stage evaluation creates a dramatically different user journey. Researchers now submit shorter initial proposals, with full applications only required if shortlisted. This changes everything from form length to progress indicators to applicant guidance systems. For ERC grants specifically, proposals are now shorter and restructured into complementary 5+7 page sections that avoid redundancies. This template evolution reflects broader trends toward reducing administrative burden—a key concern for researchers who often cite paperwork complexity as a barrier to applying. Two major digital and AI funding opportunities are now open: a €90 million AI in Science call and the GenAI4EU Booster topic. These align with the commission's push toward trustworthy AI applications in sectors like advanced materials, agriculture, and healthcare. For anyone designing grant application systems or supporting applicants, the practical implications are immediate: update forms and guidance documents to match new templates, redesign user flows for two-stage processes, and prepare for higher application volumes as simplified forms lower barriers to entry.