Issue in Question
UKRO has received several queries about the extension to the eligibility window for European Research Council (ERC) Starter and Consolidator grants due to the long-term illness of the applicant or their family members. To be considered a long-term illness, the illness must last longer than 90 days. This can be calculated as a single period of illness or composed of multiple periods of the same illness adding up to at least 90 days.
Applicants to the Starter and Consolidator grants can request an extension to the eligibility window equal to the documented amount of leave taken by the applicant before the call deadline and after the date of successful defence of their first PhD degree. Questions have been raised about reduced working time commitments, and adjusted workloads.
Clarification
The ERC has confirmed that full-time and part-time leave, as well as reduced working capacity, can be accepted if properly documented. Request for eligibility extension for disability-related reasons can also be indicated for cases where working capacity was reduced due to disability. Part-time leave is also acceptable for applicants taking care of close family members who suffer from a long-term illness provided they have the necessary supporting documents. The leave can take place as a single continuous period or can consist for short periods of leave.
The documentation provided must mention the percentage of reduced work capacity and the period, as well as the reason for the reduced work capacity.
Supporting Documentation
Long-term illness of the applicant
The applicant must provide an official, signed document from the employer certifying start and end dates of the leave or a medical record that indicates work incapability with the start and end dates of the illness period(s) and the reason for the leave. If the leave resulted in part-time work/reduced working capacity, this will need to be clear in the document.
Official documentation explaining the long-term nature of the illness or condition (e.g. from a hospital, a doctor or an insurance company) must also be provided.
For disability-related reason(s), the applicants must provide an official document confirming the disability together with documentation certifying leave/part-time working/reduced working capacity resulting from the disability, with relevant start and end dates (if applicable).
Long-term illness of a family member (child, spouse, parent, or sibling)
The applicant must submit an official signed document from the employer certifying start and end dates of the leave. The document should also mention the reason for the leave and if it resulted in part-time work/reduced working capacity.
The applicant must also provide official documentation explaining the long-term nature of the illness or condition of the close family member (e.g. from a hospital, a doctor or an insurance company).
The supporting documents must also indicate the relationship with the individual who was ill.
Admissibility and Eligibility
This information only constitutes advice and the ERC will assess the eligibility and admissibility of the applicant and their documentation during the evaluation process. If an applicant does decide to submit a proposal and the eligibility is not clear, an ‘Admissibility and Eligibility Review Committee’ may be convened to discuss the case after the call deadline based on the documentation submitted.