Interview Trainings Starting Grants
The Interview is an important part of the ERC evaluation process. Here you can find out how the National Contact Point ERC can support you in this process.
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The Interview is an important part of the ERC evaluation process. Here you can find out how the National Contact Point ERC can support you in this process.
New Africa / stock.adobe.com
The interview is a crucial part of the ERC evaluation process. Here, you will learn how the NCP ERC can support you in this process. Once again this year, the National Contact Point ERC is organizing interview training sessions for the Starting Grants 2025. These trainings are available for applicants from all three domains (PE, LS, and SH) and will take place between late April and late May.
The general preparation training (Part I) for candidates from all domains lasts approximately 1.5 hours. In this general part of the interview training, you will receive:
There is no limit to the group size for Part I.
Part I Training (open to all candidates)
April 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Registration opens on March 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
We offer a total of twelve small group training sessions simulating the ERC interview situation. Each candidate will have approximately 30 minutes per session to present their proposal according to the respective panel’s guidelines, followed by a short Q&A session.
Each candidate will receive feedback from the trainer, an NCP ERC representative, and fellow participants, who will act as a mock panel for the Q&A simulation.
Group size is limited to 6 participants per session. Participants should have attended the preparation training (Part I) beforehand.
Sessions are primarily aimed at ERC grant candidates with a German host institution who have received an interview invitation and do not have access to training at their institution.
If you already have access to individual coaching elsewhere, we kindly ask you to use that opportunity so that NCP ERC training spots remain available for those without such resources.
Participation in only one domain specific training (Part II) is permitted.
All training sessions will be conducted online in English via Webex, like the ERC interviews themselves.
Participation is free of charge.
Registration follows the 'first come, first served' principle.
Please note that two different registration systems are used, and double registrations will be checked.
Part II: Small Group Training Sessions (Limited Spots)
Registration opens on March 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Please read the instructions below before registering, as different procedures apply due to NCP ERC being represented by two organizations: the EU Bureau of the BMBF at the DLR Project Management Agency (DLR-PT) and KoWi.
DLR-PT Training Dates
Registration: fully booked
KoWi Training Dates
Registration: fully booked
NCP ERC Contacts for Further Questions:
For DLR-PT registrations:
For KoWi registrations:
Registration is done via the Invitario online system. To complete your registration successfully, please upload the following documents (supported formats: pdf, ppt, doc, docx, jpg):
Additionally, you should upload Annex I of your invitation as soon as it is available. While Annex I is not required for registration, it contains essential panel guidelines for the interview. You may also optionally upload your interview presentation draft.
Key Information
Registration is not possible without uploading the B1 part and interview invitation. Each person can register for only one training session. Registration requires a personal email address as an identifier. Multiple registrations with the same email are not allowed. Registration pages remain open until the training dates, allowing modifications and additional document uploads if needed.
After Registration
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Within 2–3 working days, we will review your documents and inform you about your registration status:
Availability of Sessions
Training sessions are often fully booked within minutes. If a session is no longer displayed in Invitario, it means it is overbooked. If other sessions are available, you may select an alternative. Please note that displayed sessions do not guarantee available spots. Confirmation is sent only after document review.
Cancellation
If you are unable to attend, please cancel via your personalized access link and confirm by clicking the "Deregistration" button.
KoWi uses the Event Registration Platform idloom for Starting Grant Interview Training.
Each Part II interview training session has a specific registration link. Please register for your preferred date and then email the following two documents to us (acceptable formats: pdf, ppt, docx, jpg):
Please also send us Annex I of your invitation as soon as it is available. Annex I is usually sent a few weeks after the invitation and contains all panel-specific interview guidelines. If you wish, you can also send us your presentation draft prior to the training.
After registration, you will receive an automated confirmation from idloom. Once the training dates are fully booked, we will check whether the necessary documents (the invitation and Part B1) are available. You will then receive a binding confirmation, or be placed on the waiting list, or informed of a rejection. Please note that being placed on the waiting list does not guarantee participation; if a space becomes available, you will be notified.
General Training Note
The NCP ERC reserves the right to exclude participants up to the training day if the required documents are not submitted or other participation requirements are not met.
