One-day online workshop (9:00 a.m.to 15:30 p.m.) presented in English. The workshop is limited to 20 participants and primary for applicants for the next planned call ERC-2026-StG, deadline October 2025 (tbc).   You are a junior researcher and your PhD has been awarded at least 2, but not more than 7 years ago (extensions are possible under certain circumstances)?  Do you have a groundbreaking project idea, which you would like to pursue with your own project team? Then the funding program of the European Research Council (ERC) might be just right for you.   Content and aim of the programme ERC grants are highly regarded as a measure of excellence in the international research community and have a sustained positive effect on the career development of individual researchers. But how do you prepare for an ERC Grant effectively, if success rates are at 10-15%? The workshop provides essential guidance to navigate the ERC application process and prepare both the research project and the curriculum vitae to address the evaluation criteria successfully. Building on more than 12 years of professional experience with the ERC and nearly 100 successful proposals, the programme translates ERC-specific terminology, such as groundbreaking, innovative, high risk/high gain, for the individual setting and explains unwritten rules. It also covers typical profiles of ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant holders, a self-assessment, the critical importance of panel selection, understanding of who the reviewers are, and the timing of proposal submission.   Your benefits By participating in the programme, you will be better equipped to • Understand the highly competitive nature and logic of the ERC evaluation process • Decide at which career stage to submit your ERC proposal • Respond effectively to ERC objectives and evaluation criteria • Align your ERC project with your research track record • Tailor the two key parts of the proposal, B1 and B2, to different stages of the evaluation • Select the most appropriate evaluation panel • Prepare a realistic timeline for proposal development • Identify and harness existing professional support, both inhouse and external   Methods The hands-on programme consists of an interactive one-day workshop with two experienced trainers followed by optional individual consultancy sessions on the following two days. Participants are expected to prepare a one-page outline of their potential ERC project and a one-page CV prior to the workshop. The workshop employs theory input, plenary discussions, a self-assessment and a writing activity, as well as sharing of experiences. The optional individual consultancy session provides the opportunity to probe further into the feasibility of the research idea for ERC funding, review the individual track record and determine next steps.

Nachwuchsforschende werden mit verschiedenen Herausforderungen konfrontiert, die zu Konflikten führen können, zum Beispiel im Betreuungsverhältnis, innerhalb der Arbeitsgruppe, im Hinblick auf Finanzierungsfragen oder hinsichtlich des selbststrukturierten Arbeitens. Die herausfordernde Phase kann auch persönliche Probleme mit sich bringen. Sollten Sie sich in einer solchen oder ähnlichen Situation befinden, können Sie bei verschiedenen Anlaufstellen am KIT Unterstützung finden. Einen Überblick finden Sie auf unserer Webseite unter www.khys.kit.edu/Anlaufstellen. Unter anderem bietet das Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) in der Regel jeden Donnerstag von 15:00 bis 17:00 Uhr eine offene Sprechstunde zur Beratung in Konfliktfällen an. Dort können Sie in einem geschützten Rahmen Ihre Situation darlegen. In dieser Erstberatung informieren und beraten wir Sie individuell, wie Sie mit herausfordernden Situationen und Konflikten umgehen können und verweisen ggf. an weitere Stellen. Gerne können Sie auch einen individuellen Beratungstermin (auch per MS Teams) vereinbaren. Jutta Klein-Hitpaß steht Ihnen für Fragen oder Terminabsprachen gerne zur Verfügung.   --- ENGLISH --- Junior researchers face different challenges in their research period. These can lead to conflicts, for example concerning the supervising relationship, within a working group, regarding financing issues, or concerning self-structured working. This challenging phase can also lead to personal problems. Should you find yourself in such or similar situations, you can find support at various advisory offices at KIT. For an overview please refer to our website: https://www.khys.kit.edu/english/advisory-offices.php. KHYS offers open consultation hours in principle every Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. There you can safely discuss your situation. During this initial consultation, we offer information and advice on how to deal with challenging situations and conflicts. If applicable, we will refer you to other advisory offices. You are also welcome to make an appointment (also for an MS Teams meeting). Jutta Klein-Hitpaß will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to offer you an appointment.