MUR calls Italian ERC grantees back home with a €50M fund.

A new initiative by Italy’s Ministry of University and Research (MUR) 

With €50 million in funding, MUR aims to support former or current ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant holders currently working outside Italy, by giving them a real opportunity to return and continue their work on Italian soil, with strong financial backing and institutional support.

This initiative represents a significant step toward revitalizing Italy's research sector and offers a compelling opportunity for researchers worldwide to contribute to Italy's scientific advancement.

What Is the Opportunity?

MUR is inviting proposals from young researchers who have secured European Research Council (ERC) grants—specifically, ERC Starting or Consolidator Grants—and are currently based outside Italy. Each approved project can receive up to €1 million in funding, with a project duration of up to 36 months. Notably, 40% of the total funds are earmarked for projects in Southern Italy, aligning with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Fiscal Benefits and Incentives

Beyond the project funding itself, Italy continues to offer competitive tax incentives for returning professionals, including significant income tax reductions and simplified bureaucracy for researchers relocating from abroad.

The combination of generous funding, career support, and financial benefits makes this one of the strongest return pathways we’ve seen in recent years.

Global Context: A Strategic Moment

This MUR call arrives at a pivotal time. As The Economist recently reported in its analysis of a Gallup survey on global talent flows, the U.S.—long a magnet for academic excellence—is contemplating an outflow of graduate students. Countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Italy are projected as the top five destinations for mobile US graduate students.

How to Apply

Applications are open from April 15 to June 4, 2025. Interested candidates must submit their proposals through the MUR's online platform: https://www.gea.mur.gov.it. Detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on the official MUR website.