How to Write a Competitive Proposal for Pillar II

How to Write a Competitive Proposal for Pillar II (Horizon Europe)

(On-site. Three 45-minute sessions)

Overview of the Course

This course explains why some researchers (and research organisations) have high success rates in Pillar II Proposals in Horizon Europe. This course can provide researchers with a plan on how to improve their success rates by learning how to screen proposal ideas, screen partners and prepare the proposal in an efficient way.

Hyperion provides training courses to 74 of the top 100 Universities and Research Centres in Europe

(The workshop does not cover Financial Rules, Legal Rules, Ethics, Data Management etc.)

Delivery of Course: On-site at the University or Research Centre

Target Audience: Researchers planning to participate in a Pillar II Proposal.

The course is NOT open to Private Consultants

Course Presenters: Dr. Seán McCarthy and Sylvia McCarthy (EU Policy Analyst)

Duration: 3 * 45 Minute Sessions (15 minute break between Sessions)

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

Contents of Course

Module 1: Profile of Researchers with High Success Rates

Skills of Researchers with High Success Rates

Converting Excellent ideas into Competitive Proposals

Research Support in Organisations with High Success Rates

Module 2: Horizon Europe Funding Landscape

Sources of Information on Pillar II

Structure and Terminology of Pillar II in Horizon Europe

Top-down versus Bottom-up programmes

Structure of a Pillar II Consortium

Horizon Europe Funding Landscape (Map)

Module 3: How to Analyse a Pillar II Work Programme

Proposal Intelligence for Pillar II Topics

From EU Policies to Pillar II Work Programmes

From Specific EU Policies to Pillar II Topics

How to Read a Pillar II Work Programme

Outputs, Outcomes and Impact Pathways

Module 4: Expert Groups Consulted in Pillar II Proposals

Funded Projects (Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe)

The role of CSAs (Coordination and Support Actions)

Expert Groups consulted for Grand Challenges

Expert Groups consulted for EU Industrial Leadership

European Networks and Associations

COST Actions

Module 5: Pillar II Proposal Questions and Evaluation Criteria

Scale and Significance of the project

Focus of the project

Structure of the consortium (Multi-actor approach)

The 'Skills Matrix'

Outputs, Outcomes and Impact Partners

Module 6: How Pillar II Proposals are Evaluated

How Evaluators are selected for Pillar II Proposals

Forms used by the Remote Evaluators

The Role of the Remote Evaluators

The Role of the Evaluation Committee

The role of Annex F (General Annexes)

The relevance of the Abstract

Module 7: Guideline for Writing Pillar II Proposals

The Role of Proposal Clinics

Template for Proposal Clinic Presentations

Selecting Strategic Partners

The Abstract (Template)

The Consensus Report

Compiling the Proposal (From the Proposal Clinic to the Deadline)

Programme Designers and Presenters

Dr. Seán McCarthy

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 130,000 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.