Training Programme for European Research Leaders

How to Prepare a European Research Plan

(Training Programme for the Next Generation of European Research Leaders)

Overview of the Training Programme

The aim of this programme is to develop the next generation of European Research Leaders. The programme is also designed to help in the transfer of know-how of Leading Researchers to the Early Career Researchers. The programme can provide a Research Organisation (or a Research Group) with a template on how to Mentor or Coach future Research Leaders.

Researchers planning to operate at a European level require a number of special skills and activities;

1. Researchers must have scientific expertise in a well defined niche and they need to be recognised by their research community through scientific publications and scientific conferences;

2. Researchers need to Network Strategically at a European Level so they can develop personal contacts with key partners;

3. Researchers must have skills to identify opportunities for the funding of research projects - especially through the European Framework Programmes;

4. Researchers must have the skills to plan and prepare competitive proposals for European Research programmes.

The aim of this training programme is to develop skills 2,3 and in Early Career Researchers.

Target Audience

The European Framework for Research Careers describes four broad profiles of Researchers.

R1 First Stage Researcher (up to the point of PhD)

R2 Recognised Researcher (PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent)

R3 Established Researcher (researchers who have developed a level of independence.)

R4 Leading Researcher (researchers leading their research area or field)

This training programme is designed for Researchers in the categories R2 (Recognised Researchers) and R3 (Established Researcher).

Leading Researchers (R4) will be used to comment on the presentations made by the participants.

This process can be used to transfer know-how from the Leading Researchers to the Early Career Researchers.

Outcomes of the Training Programme

At the end of the programme the researchers will be able to present (Power Point) the following:

- Opportunities Identified in Horizon Europe (2021-2027);

- Strategic European Research Partners + Plan for Networking;

- Identify sources of Ideas for future proposals;

- Analysis of a Pillar II Topic (Horizon Europe);

- Template for Presentation at a Proposal Clinic (Pillar II);

- Presentation on the evolution of Framework 10 (2028-2034).

Workshop Presenters: Dr. Seán McCarthy and Sylvia McCarthy

Duration: Duration indicated for each workshop.

Workshop Notes: A pdf handout will be provided for each workshop.

Delivery of Course: Blended: On-line (Zoom); On-site; and eLearning (recorded)

Bookings and Enquiries: Send an email to mary.mccarthy@hyperion.ie

1. Skills for Newcomers to Horizon Europe

          Identifying Opportunities in Horizon Europe (2*45 Minutes)

Module 1: Horizon Europe Funding Landscape

Module 2: Identifying Opportunities in Pillar I (Excellent Science)

Module 3: Identifying Opportunities in Pillar II

Module 4: Identifying Opportunities in Pillar III (Innovative Europe)

Module 5: Identifying Opportunities in Widening Participation and Strengthening the ERA

Module 6: Third Party Funding

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Opportunities Identified in Horizon Europe

          Strategic Networking at a European Level (45 Minutes)

Module 1: Partners in Horizon Europe Proposals

Module 2: How Coordinators Select Partners for Proposals

Module 3: Strategic Networking for Marie S. Curie Proposals

Module 4: Strategic Networking for Pillar II Proposals

The Role of European Conferences and Workshops

Module 5: Sources of Ideas for European Research Proposals

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Strategic Partners + Plan for Networking

          How Horizon Europe Proposals are Evaluated (45 Minutes)

Module 1: How to Analyse an Evaluation System

Module 2: How Proposal Evaluators are Selected

Module 3: How Pillar I Proposals are Evaluated

Module 4: How Pillar II Proposals are Evaluated

Module 5: How Pillar III Proposals are Evaluated

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Plan for Evaluating Horizon Europe Proposals

2. Skills to Plan and Prepare Competitive Proposals for Pillar II

          Skills of Researchers with High Success Rates (45 Minutes)

Module 1: Sources of Information for Pillar II Proposals

Module 2: Profile of Researchers with High Success Rates

Module 3: How to Analyse a Pillar II Work Programme

Module 4: Selecting Partners for Pillar II Proposals

Module 5: Research Support Services for Pillar II

            Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Analysis of a Pillar II Topic, Potential Partners, Support Services

          How to Screen Pillar II Proposals (Proposal Clinics) (45 Minutes)

Module 1: How Pillar II Proposals are Evaluated (Remotely)

Module 2: The Final Selection of Proposals (Evaluation Committee )

Module 3: The Role of the Proposal Clinic

Module 4: Template for a Proposal Clinic

Module 5: From the Proposal Clinic to the Proposal Deadline

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Sample Proposal Clinic

        Proposal Intelligence for Pillar II Proposals (45 Minutes)

Module 1: From EU Policies to Pillar II Topics

Module 2: Expert Groups consulted on Global Challenges

Module 3: Expert Groups consulted on EU Industrial Leadership

Module 4: Proposal Intelligence Reports

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Proposal Intelligence for a Pillar II Topic

          How to Write the Impact on EU Policies (45 Minutes)

Module 1: From EU Policies to Pillar II Topics

Module 2: How Impact in Pillar II Proposals is Evaluated

Module 3: How to Explain Impact on Global Challenges

Module 4: How to Explain Impact on EU Industrial Policies

Module 5: Exploitation, Dissemination and Communication

Synergies with other EU Programmes

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Impact on Global Challenges and/or EU Industrial Leadership

3. Getting Ready for Framework 10

Getting Ready for Framework 10 (45 Minutes)

Module 1: Understanding the Concept of 'Lobbying'

Module 2: Lobbying in Horizon Europe

Module 3: Expert Groups Consulted in Preparing Horizon Europe

Module 4: Getting Ready for Framework 10

Module 5: The Role of Research Support in Lobbying for Framework 10

Presentations to Senior (Leading) Researchers: Current Status of Framework 10 + Trends

(The workshops do not cover Financial Rules, Legal Rules, Ethics, Data Management etc.)

Programme Designers and Presenters

Dr. Seán McCarthy

In 2021 the European Commission published a list of the top 100 universities and research organisations participating in Horizon 2020. Dr. McCarthy has delivered training courses in 78 of these top 100 universities and research organisations in Horizon 2020.Seán has been active in the Framework programmes since 1980. He has been involved in over 150 research proposals to the Framework programmes and has participated in over 60 Framework projects. In 16 of these projects Seán was the coordinator. Today, he does not participate in the Framework programmes but concentrates on designing and delivering training courses. Since 1995 over 80,000 participants have attended his courses in 29 countries. He has presented training courses on the Framework programmes in over 290 research centres throughout Europe (www.hyperion.ie/clients.htm).

Sylvia McCarthy

Sylvia is an EU Policy Analyst. Based in Brussels since 2008, Sylvia has worked in the European Parliament and various EU consultancies and representations.
Sylvia has a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies (University College Cork,Ireland) and a Master’s degree in International Politics and Europe (University of Warwick, UK).

Limitation of Liability

This webpage has been designed to help researchers prepare proposals for Horizon Europe. Every effort has been made to ensure complete and accurate information concerning the material presented in this webpage. However, Hyperion Ltd cannot be held legally responsible for any mistakes in printing or faulty instructions contained within the templates. The authors appreciate receiving notice of any errors or misprints.There are no warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, made with respect to the materials or any information provided to the user herein. Neither the author nor publisher shall be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the contents of this webpage.