ERC grantees recruitment and grant portability

If you are an ERC Grantee willing to pursue your research at Ca' Foscari University, here is what we can offer.

Ca' Foscari aims to attract excellent researchers, and supporting grant portability is a key way to empower them.

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What we can offer

ERC Grantees may be offered a tenure-track position or a permanent contract as Associate or Full Professor, depending on the candidate's profile and the type of ERC Grant (Starting, Consolidator, or Advanced) awarded. For Associate and Full Professors, the National Scientific Qualification (“Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale”) may be a preferential access criterion.

Further information: An academic career path in Italy

Entry salary grade can be negotiated, within the limits established by relevant national laws and regulations (see the estimated amounts under the section Tax benefits). You can discuss teaching modules and hours with your Department and may obtain a reduction in the teaching load during the project period (up to 60 hours per academic year).

Researchers and professors also also have the possibility of a promotion every two years, based on performance evaluation.

Moreover, Principal Investigators (PIs) of funded projects can request an ERC relocation grant (one-off bonus payment), calculated based on the maximum project grant amount and estimated indirect costs.

A further incentive for Principal Investigators is linked to their salary share reported on the ERC project, of which:

• up to a maximum of 45% of this amount can be requested by the PI as a salary top-up, partly on a monthly basis and partly after the reporting periods;
• at least 25% will remain available to the PI at the Department for further project-related activities for up to three years after the project ends.

Furthermore, part of the ERC project's indirect costs will be made available to the PI for autonomous use for research purposes. The details and figures will be discussed in a dedicated meeting regarding the portability of your project with the Ca' Foscari Research Managers.

For further information read the following document.

One off bonus payments, additional research funds and salary top up For participation in competitive Calls for Research and Internationalization Projects

311 K

Tax benefits for professors and researchers

Professors and researchers who have conducted research activities abroad for at least two consecutive years, and who subsequently establish tax residency in Italy, are eligible for significant tax benefits upon verification of all required documents and criteria.

Specifically, if they are hired by an Italian university as a "Professore/ssa" or "Ricercatore/trice," they can benefit from an exemption from personal income tax on 90% of the income received from their Italian employer.

Eligibility also extends to Italian citizens who are not registered with AIRE (Registry Office for Italian Citizens Residing Abroad).

The benefits are applied starting from the tax period in which the researcher or professor establishes tax residency in Italy and continue for the following five tax years, provided the individual maintains Italian tax residency throughout this period. The exemption duration is extended beyond the minimum under the following circumstances:

• 8-Year Extension: The exemption is extended to a total of eight tax periods if the individual has a minor dependent child (including those in pre-adoption foster care) or purchases a house in Italy. The property purchase can occur up to 12 months prior to acquiring tax residency or at any point after the individual becomes an Italian tax resident. These two conditions are not cumulative; they cannot be combined to achieve a longer extension.
• 11-Year Extension: In case the professor/researcher has at least 2 minor dependent children.
• 13-Year Extension: In case the professor/researcher has at least 3 minor dependent children.

Download the document outlining the yearly gross amounts and estimated net amounts, with and without tax benefits, for professors and researchers in Italy (updated: November 2025).

Salary Levels - Professors and Researchers Last update: November 2025

587 K

Transition process: what does the ERC portability entail?

The change of Host institution requires negotiation with the previous host institution and the European Commission: a team of experts will guide and support PIs throughout the process.

We are ready to discuss the portability at any time; to optimise a smooth transition we suggest you move your project at the very beginning, after receiving the evaluation results and before the Grant Agreement signature, or before the start date of the project.

Internal Formal Steps: Before you start working at Ca’ Foscari, internal and national approvals typically take at least 4-5 months (e.g., approvals by the Hosting Department Council, Academic Senate, Board of Directors, and the Italian Ministry of University and Research).

You will be welcomed before and upon your arrival: our Welcome Unit provides information and assistance to all international staff: this includes procedures related to Nulla Osta for embassies, visa request, health insurance, stay permit, fiscal code, family reunion, access to the university’s services (libraries, canteens, wifi, etc.).

Job services. In order to smooth the mobility process of your family as well, we also offer consultancy and guidance services aimed at facilitating the matching between your partner's employability requirements and our enterprises' network to address their needs, in order to find a new employment in Venice or in the surroundings. You can write to  erc@unive.it and ask for more information.

Your project team

You can include in your project team different kinds of research positions, including postdocs (junior and senior), PhD students and a grant administrator. All of them require a public selection, via public calls for applications. 

Download a summary table comparing the various contractual forms available in Italy, detailing their costs and characteristics, to facilitate your ERC grant transferability.

Data management and ethical requirements

The University’s Ethics Committee will address Principal Investigator queries and can approve the project's ethical requirements and Data Management Plans (DMPs) in accordance with contractual obligations under ERC and Horizon Europe. A specific support service on Data Management is currently available; support for Ethics issues will be launched soon.

For further information:

• ERC Grants
• Working in Research
• Excellence in research - HRS4R Acknowledged Institution

If you wish to submit an ERC proposal with Ca’ Foscari as host institution, you can contact us at   erc@unive.it.