Division 2.2.3 Submission

Proposals, and where appropriate pre-registrations, are submitted electronically via the web-based electronic submission system operated by the Commission (currently EPSS).

Proposals for ‘frontier’ research actions will – pursuant to the provisions of the Ideas work programme – involve a Principal Investigator (PI) – a specified individual with scientific responsibility for the project. Proposals are submitted by the PI empowered by the proposed host institution, which is formally the applicant legal entity and to which the grant will be awarded^f1. Throughout the submission and peer review evaluation process the PI will be the main channel for communication between the ERCEA and the applicant legal entity.

The preparation and uploading of all the proposal data and the agreement to the conditions of use of the electronic submission system and terms of the peer review evaluation must take place prior to the attempt to submit a proposal.

The electronic submission system will carry out a number of basic verification checks. Only upon completion of these checks will the electronic submission system allow the applicant to submit. These checks do not replace the formal eligibility checks described in section 2.2.6 and cannot assure that the contents of these files respond to the requirements of the call. Submission is deemed to take place at the moment the PI initiates the final submission process, as indicated by the electronic submission system, and not at any point prior to this.

Proposals sent on removable electronic storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM or any similar electronic device), by e-mail or by fax will not be regarded as having been submitted, and will not be evaluated. In exceptional cases, if a PI has no means of accessing the electronic submission system, he/she may request permission from the ERCEA to submit on paper. The procedures related to such a request and formalities on paper submission are laid down in Annex A to these Rules.

A procedure for the withdrawal of a proposal will be given in the relevant Guide for Applicants. A withdrawn proposal will not subsequently be considered for peer review evaluation or selection.

If more than one submission of the same proposal is received, only the most recent eligible version is evaluated.

Proposals shall be kept under secure conditions at all times. When no longer needed, all copies other than those required for archiving and/or auditing purposes shall be destroyed.