Horizon Europe Pillar II Course

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

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 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.

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

Delivery of Course: On-line (Zoom), On-site or eLearning (recorded)

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

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

Contents of Course

Module 1: Profile of Researchers with High Success Rates

Researchers with High Success Rates

Converting Excellent ideas into Competitive Proposals

From 'Telling' to 'Selling' proposal ideas

Strategy of Organisations with High Success Rates

Module 2: How to Analyse a Pillar II Work Programme

From EU Policies to Pillar II Work Programmes

From Specific EU Policies to Pillar II Topics

Outcomes and Impact Pathways

Module 3: Proposal Intelligence (Background to Pillar II Topics)

Background to Specific EU Policies

Expert Groups Consulted for Grand Challenges

The role of CSAs (Coordination and Support Actions)

Module 4: 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 5: How Pillar II Proposals are Evaluated

The Evaluation Process for Pillar II

Key Documents used in the Evaluation of Pillar II Proposals

The Role of the Remote Evaluators

The Role of the Evaluation Committee

Analysis of Pillar II Calls in Horizon Europe

Module 6: Internal Evaluation of Proposals (Proposal Clinics)

The Role of Proposal Clinics

Template for Proposal Clinic Presentations

Selecting Strategic Partners

The Abstract (Template)

The Consensus Report

Compiling the Proposal

Module 7: The Impact of Pillar II Projects on EU Policies

Output, Outcomes and Impact of Pillar II Topics

The EU Policy Making Process

The Impact of Research on Global Challenges

The Impact of Research on EU Industrial Leadership

Exploitation, Dissemination and Communication measures

Synergies with other EU Programmes

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.