Research Support for Horizon Europe Proposals

How to Support Researchers in Writing Competitive Proposals for Horizon Europe

(Training Course for Research Support Staff in Universities and Research Centres)

Overview of the Course

This training course is designed for research support staff who have to help researchers write competitive proposals for Horizon Europe. The course focuses on helping researchers convert excellent ideas into competitive proposals. The training course is based on over 40 years of working in European Research programmes and participation in over 60 research projects (16 as coordinator).

The workshop does NOT cover Financial Rules, Legal Rules, Ethics, Data Management etc.

Online Platform: ZOOM

Target Audience: Researchers Support Staff responsible for Horizon Europe. The course is suited to newly appointed Research Support Staff.

Course Presenters: Dr. Seán McCarthy and Sylvia McCarthy

Duration: 4 * 45 Minute Sessions (Course delivered as 2*45 minute sessions over two mornings)

Cost and Booking details: Email Mary mary.mccarthy@hyperion.ie

Contents of Course

Morning 1: (Typically Session 1: 11:00-11:45, Session 2: 12:00-12:45)

Session 1: The Role of the Research Support Office (45 minutes)

Module 1: Profile of Researchers with High Success Rates

Converting Excellent ideas into Competitive Proposals

From 'Telling' to 'Selling' proposal ideas

From EU Policies to Horizon Europe Work Programmes

'Bottom-up' versus 'Top-down' Programmes

Research Support Services for High Success Rates

Module 2: Supporting Researchers in Identifying Opportunities in Horizon Europe (45 minutes)

Horizon Europe Funding Landscape

Opportunities in Pillar I (Excellent Science)

Opportunities in Pillar II (Global Challenges and Industrial Leadership)

Opportunities in Pillar III (Innovative Europe)

Opportunities in Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area

Third Party Funding Opportunities

Session 2: Selecting Partners for Horizon Europe Proposals (45 minutes)

Module 3: Strategic Networking at a European Level

Partners in Horizon Europe Proposals

How Coordinators select Partners

Strategic Networking for Marie S. Curie Proposals

Strategic Networking for Pillar II Proposals

Module 4: Expert Groups Consulted in Pillar II Topics

The role of CSAs (Coordination and Support Actions)

KET (Key Enabling Technologies ) Expert Groups

ETIP (European Technology and Innovation Platforms)

31 Strategic European Value Chains

Morning 2: (Typically Session 1: 11:00-11:45, Session 2: 12:00-12:45)

Session 3: How Horizon Europe Proposals are Evaluated (45 minutes)

Module 5: How Pillar I and Pillar III Proposal are Evaluated

How ERC Proposals are Evaluated (Pillar I)

How Marie Curie Proposals are Evaluated (Pillar I)

How EIC Pathfinder Proposals are Evaluated (Pillar III)

Module 6: How Pillar II Proposal are Evaluated

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 (Horizon Europe)

Session 4: How to Support Researchers in Writing Pillar II Proposals (45 minutes)

Module 7: The EU Policy Making Process (The Impact of Research)

How to Analyse a Pillar II Work Programme

Concepts needed to Explain Impact in Pillar II Proposals

The EU Policy Making Process

Examples of Impact on EU Policies

Module 8: From the Proposal Idea to the Proposal Deadline

Strategy of Researchers with High Success Rates

How to Screen Proposal Ideas (Proposal Clinic)

The Proposal Clinic (Template)

From the Call to the Proposal Deadline

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.