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MSCA 2023 Doctoral Networks call – the most important changes and novelties

The 2023 call for MSCA Doctoral Networks is now open. We had a look at the updated Guide for Applicants and the Standard Proposal Template to identify the key changes to last year’s call. If you plan to resubmit your DN proposal, make sure to be aware of the most significant changes.

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How to tackle common challenges during grant preparation of MSCA Doctoral Networks

After the results of the 2022 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks (DN) call were published, many are now at the grant preparation stage. While this process is well-structured, many consortia may still experience some challenges. We discuss some possible challenges during the DN grant preparation and how to address these.

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Taking on the EIC Pathfinder Challenge: new directions in science and technology

The Pathfinder programme supports the research and development of bold ideas for future breakthrough technologies within Horizon EU. It encompasses two funding streams: Pathfinder Open, where applicants can propose any research topic, and Pathfinder Challenge, which provides funding for research projects of high societal, economic and political interest.

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Insights into the results of the 2022 MSCA call for Doctoral Networks

The European Commission has completed the evaluation of the proposals submitted for the 2022 MSCA Call for Doctoral Networks. The results of the 2022 call reveal higher success rates and higher funding thresholds compared to the previous 2021 call. Gain insights into the results.

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Upcoming Horizon Europe “Civil Security” calls – opportunities for you?

A variety of funding opportunities for research and innovation activities in Horizon Europe allow applicants to find the right call in digital infrastructure, technologies and societal factors, including cybersecurity.

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A strong business case for your Eurostars-3 application

With 29% of applications to Eurostars being funded, chances of success are already high. However, there are always ways to increase your chances. One way to make your project stand out and convince the evaluators is to describe your specific business case and the market potential of the project results.

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Be smart – choose Eurostars: Eurostars-3 for innovative SMEs

As an SME you have the possibility to become project leader of a EUREKA Eurostars project and benefit from this funding opportunity’s many advantages. The stunning success rate of 29%, free choice of topic and up to 80% funding for the project's costs make it an attractive programme focused on promoting SMEs. We provide you with hands-on support for the application process.

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Analysis of upcoming Horizon Digital, Industry and Space calls 2023-2024 – opportunities for you?

Digital and industrial technologies shape all sectors of the European economy and the daily routine of us all. The EU reflects this in the budget increase from EUR 1.56 billion (2021-2022) to EUR 2.3 billion (2023-2024) in Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, tackling Digital, Industry, and Space.

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Latest MSCA-DN deadline confirms higher success rate in Horizon Europe

A total of 946 proposals were submitted in the second MSCA-DN call in Horizon Europe - a number that lets us anticipate one of the highest success rates in ITN/DN calls since the first FP7 ITN call in 2007.

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Upcoming Horizon Europe “Climate, Energy and Mobility” calls – opportunities for you?

The draft Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 for Climate, Energy and Mobility (Cluster 5) is published. Our infographic provides an overview on the available funding and shows the different submission deadlines. Find the most suitable call topic for your research and innovation project!

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Upcoming Horizon Europe “Health” calls – opportunities for you?

In November, the publication of the HORIZON Work Programme 2023-2024 for Health (Cluster 1) is expected. Our infographic analyses the available funding and shows the different submission deadlines. Find the most suitable call topic for your research and innovation project!

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Green Deal funding available for climate actions

The Green Deal offers multiple pathways to funding, some are well-known and others not. We can help you navigate the complex funding landscape of the Green Deal to identify the funding instruments and calls that fit your project idea.

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SGP – how to plan your EU grant applications strategically

In a complex yet rich EU research and innovation landscape, our strategic grant planning will provide you with the key facts on the most promising funding schemes for your research ideas along with a timeline covering submission deadlines for the next two years.

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Swiss and UK project partners? What to expect when preparing your Horizon Europe proposal

Researchers and companies from Switzerland and the UK can participate in most Horizon Europe instruments. However, there are some country-specific rules to consider during the proposal preparation. These include a different partner status in the EU portal, affect the budgeting and have several implications on the contents of the proposal document.

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Writing your Plan for Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication – Do’s and Don’ts for PDEC

Ensuring that projects have become an integral part of any Horizon Europe project. This is reflected in the Plan for Dissemination and Exploitation including Communication Activities (PDEC). In this blog post, we share our most important learnings on the topic, including the do’s and dont’s of writing this mandatory deliverable.

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What to consider in Horizon Europe stage-2 Health submissions

The European Commission has just communicated the first-stage results of the Horizon Europe Health calls. We have thus checked out the requirements for the upcoming stage-2 submission. Find out what changes you need to make to your proposal to get a successful stage-two submission on the right track.

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MSCA Doctoral Networks 2022 call – important changes in the new proposal template

The European Commission published the 2022 MSCA Doctoral Networks call last week. We had a look at the updated Work Programme, the Guide for Applicants and the updated Standard Proposal Template to find out what is different to last year’s call. If you plan to resubmit your DN proposal, make sure to be aware of the most significant changes.

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New EU funding opportunities for energy-related projects

New energy-related call topics were opened by the European Commission. They belong to the "Battery Partnership" and other parts of the Cluster 5 "Climate, Energy and Mobility". One further call topic was launched under the "Cities Mission". With a deadline of 6 September 2022 there is enough time to prepare and submit applications.

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Insights into the first MSCA Doctoral Network evaluation results under Horizon Europe

The European Commission selected the first Doctoral Networks under Horizon Europe. Gain insights into the results of the 2021 call, which is marked by higher success rates and lower funding thresholds compared to the previous programme.

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Invited to prepare the Horizon EU Grant Agreement? Your journey is beginning!

Our project managers have been involved in several Horizon EU projects already and gathered extensive insights into the Grant Agreement Preparation process. With the hope of easing the process for other successful EU project coordinators and partners, summarised below are our team’s latest tips to navigate through a hopefully smooth GAP process.

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Website accessibility – a priority for EU-funded research and innovation projects

EU-funded projects aim to reach a wide audience, but their website accessibility is often overlooked. With a few simple improvements, you can change this for your project website.

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An alternative approach to consortium building for EU research and innovation projects

With partners from different countries, diverse backgrounds, and distinct research areas, team or consortium building represents an essential task and challenge best tackled during the proposal preparation before a project even starts.

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Succeeding in the first Horizon EU Health proposals – sharing of experience

While waiting for the final statistics on the first Horizon Europe Health calls, we share our experience from the evaluation of some health proposals. This might help applicants who are currently preparing their proposals for the fast-approaching next deadlines.

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Master the Eurostars online portal like a pro

If you are applying for a Eurostars 3 project, you should check out the requirements and especially the web portal through which applicants need to submit their project proposal. Set out to master the Eurostars’ online application portal with the guidelines at hand and your project idea in mind.

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Happy New Eurostars – apply to the first call of 2022

Eurostars is an essential component of Horizon Europe, with 37 countries from within and outside Europe participating in the Eurostars programme. Each of these “Eurostars countries” has its own funding coverage policy for SMEs and other types of participants.

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Safety nets for Swiss and UK applicants to Horizon Europe

As negotiations on the association of the UK and Switzerland to Horizon Europe remain suspended, the UK and Swiss governments are committed to support successful UK- and Swiss-based applicants.

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Preparing a short stage-1 proposal? Mind the new declaration

As deadlines for two-stage calls in the areas of Health, Climate and Food are getting closer, learn about a key change in the submission process from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe.

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Essential tips for your FET Open/ Pathfinder Open proposal (re-)submission

The first, highly competitive, EIC Pathfinder Open call revealed important novelties for applicants. As in FET-Open, the programme is still targeted at breakthrough, innovative solutions, but with changes ranging from the formalities of the main proposal document to the strict requirement of a multidisciplinary approach.

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Road or rail, water or air – funding opportunities for Horizon Europe projects

Cluster 5 of Horizon Europe offers diverse funding opportunities for mobility-related topics: Batteries and fuels or transport by road, rail, water, and air. Several calls are also in collaboration with specific partnerships.

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Towards higher success rates in MSCA Doctoral Network proposals?

A total of 1,076 proposals were submitted for the first MSCA Doctoral Networks (DNs) deadline in Horizon Europe on 16 November 2021. A first analysis of the call statistics reveals an increase in success chances.

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Just over 6% success rate in the first EIC Pathfinder Open call under Horizon Europe

The European Innovation Council selected the first 56 EIC Pathfinder Open projects under Horizon Europe. Read on for an overview of the call statistics and foreseen deadlines for (re-)submission of your proposal.

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Quality assurance in Horizon Europe projects and beyond

Good quality at all levels of your Horizon Europe project is highly desirable. From the professional quality management to implement your project, to adherence to scientific quality requirements and operational quality procedures at participant level, we can support you with our experience.

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SGP – The gateway to your next EU-funded research and innovation project

Our Strategic Grant Planning (SGP) service will support you in identifying the best funding opportunity for your idea and in planning your grant applications for the upcoming years. With the start of Horizon Europe and other new EU programmes, we are well set up to guide you through the wide array of funding instruments.

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Less competition than usual in the first Horizon Europe Health calls

For the first Health cluster deadline of Horizon Europe, a total of 591 proposals were submitted. The chances of success seem to be higher than usual. Find the estimated success rates in this blog post.

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No luck with EIC Accelerator? – Why not try Eurostars 3 instead?

Eurostars is an essential component of Horizon Europe, with 37 countries from within and outside Europe participating in the Eurostars programme. Each of these “Eurostars countries” has its own funding coverage policy for SMEs and other types of participants.

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Digitalisation: Virtually everywhere?

The EU`s funding programme Horizon Europe facilitates the digitalisation process by supporting the discovery and development of innovative ICT technologies and their deployment in a wide range of application areas, in the dedicated Cluster 4 focused on Digital, Industry and Space, but also in Health and Climate, Energy and Mobility.

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From H2020 Innovative Training Networks (ITNs) to Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks (DN) – key changes for you to know

The long wait is finally over and the first Doctoral Network (DN) call is now open for submission. We had a look at the Guide for Applicants, the new Standard Proposal Template, and the online forms to find out what is different from the Horizon 2020 Marie Curie ITNs.

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There is more than food in the Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 – check out the new funding opportunities

With a total budget of € 2.2 billion for 2021 to 2022, the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is expected to support a transformative change of the EU economy and society to reduce environmental degradation, stop and reverse the decline of biodiversity, and better manage natural resources while meeting the EU's climate objectives and ensuring food and water security.

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A clean planet for all – a purposeful research programme to achieve Europe’s vision

With a total budget of € 2.8 billion for 2021 to 2022, the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 will contribute to achieving the EU's goal of becoming a climate neutral society. Although the Horizon Europe Climate, Energy and Mobility programme offers a wide array of funding opportunities, we expect a tough competition similar to the previous Horizon 2020 programmes.

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The Global Challenges of Horizon Europe and how they compare to Horizon 2020

From pillars, challenges, clusters, destinations, missions, calls, and call topics to Research and Innovation Actions, Innovation Actions, and Coordination and Support Actions – Horizon Europe, the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation has it all. The terminology and structure is new and needs some elucidation.

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The 3 big C’s and more in health research and innovation: COVID-19 – Cancer – Cardiovascular diseases

The official Work Programme for Cluster 1 – Health under the 9th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, will be published this spring. With a total budget of €1,86 billion for 2021 to 2022, the Horizon Europe Cluster 1 – Health will fund projects in the 3 big C's health areas: Cancer, Covid-19, and Cardiovascular Diseases.

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From Innovative Training Networks to Doctoral Networks – what to expect

We are all eagerly waiting for the details about the Doctoral Networks under Horizon Europe. The new MSCA Work Programme will be published by the European Commission in mid-May. So, while we are waiting, let's have a look at what we know already.

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From H2020 to Horizon Europe – a closer look at the new Grant Agreement

When your project is selected for EU funding, the Grant Agreement (a funding contract between the European Commission and the project consortium) is a prerequisite for the project to start. The new framework programme Horizon Europe has brought key changes to the Model Grant Agreement.

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The EIC Pathfinder Open – more than just a continuation of H2020 FET Open

The EIC Pathfinder, known as the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) in H2020, has moved from the basic science-driven pillar in H2020 to the more market-driven “Innovative Europe” pillar in Horizon Europe. In addition to some important differences in the structure of the proposal, the focus of the EIC shifts to projects with a strong impact on Europe's economy and society.

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With the first Cluster Health Work Programme in Horizon Europe for a more resilient and healthier Europe

The European Commission will fund research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe for a healthier and more resilient Europe - from supporting mental health, through boosting of digitalisation and efficient health data use, to development of next generation AI tools, therapies, and vaccines.

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EIC Transition – new funding opportunity to advance your FET results

Both, the FET Innovation Launchpad (Horizon 2020) and the EIC Transition (Horizon Europe), have the goal to support the exploitation of results from FET projects. However, the instruments have key differences you should be aware of.

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Finding the right path in the new Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder

The EIC Pathfinder, previously known as the FET programme in Horizon 2020, will allocate more than € 300 million for high-risk and radical new ideas.

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UK and Switzerland towards accession to Horizon Europe

In late December 2020, UK and Switzerland expressed their political will to be associated to Horizon Europe with the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the approval of the Horizon 2021-2027 package by the Swiss parliament.

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Last Horizon 2020 Health call results expected soon

While the results for the “Digital transformation in Health and Care (DTH)” calls were issued last week, we expect to receive the last results of the series of Health calls in the coming days.

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Fund your Green Deal project from impressive EUR 983 million call

The European Commission has just published the first Green Deal call of EUR 983,000,000.

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Involving Partner Organisations during ITN grant preparations – a best practice guide

A best practice guide to help you best coordinate the involvement and participation of Partner Organisations in your ITN.

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Be the next Eurostars applicant – where to start and how to succeed

Since 2014, 991 projects have been successfully funded through the Eurostars programme and you could be number 992!

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Reporting the impact of COVID-19 on your H2020 project to the EC.

Learn how to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our research projects and communicate it to the EC.

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H2020 project management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Keep managing efficiently your H2020 project with our tips.

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Managing MSCA-ITN projects during the COVID-19 pandemic

Keep managing efficiently your H2020 project with our tips.

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Tips to manage your H2020 project during the coronavirus pandemic

Keep managing efficiently your H2020 project with our tips.

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Strategic Grant Planning – finding the needle in the haystack

Identifying the right funding scheme for your research can sometimes be compared to finding a needle in a haystack. We can support you in making the process more efficient.

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Make the best of your ITN – project management and communication

Project management and communication are key to successful ITNs. Learn why.

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FET Open project wins the Innovation Radar Prize 2019 for Innovative Science

The FET Open project Lumiblast wins the Innovation Radar Prize 2019 for Innovative Science and we are proud to be part of this project for the past three years.

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Strategic Grant Planning – How we supported a multinational corporation

Dr Filiep Vanpoucke, researcher at Cochlear and project coordinator of MOSAICS, speaks about his experience with ITNs and accelopment.

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ITN review – Experiences from the new check meetings

ITN review meetings focus on a transparent application process, equal opportunities with regard to gender and origin, active involvement of ESRs, as well support and communication.

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Strategic Grant Planning – A Eurostars coordinator tells of his experience

Konstantin Lutze, CTO of HSE AG and Eurostars project coordinator, tells about his experience with the SME Instrument programme and accelopment.

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The roles and requirements of Partner Organisations in ITNs

Besides beneficieries, ITNs offer the possibility to include Partner Organisations in the project. The following article looks at the most common roles and linked requirements.

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Do’s and Don’ts in communication, dissemination and exploitation of H2020 projects

Based on the lastest report of the IPR Helpdesk and our own experience, we have come up with the most important Do’s and Don’ts to maximize the impact of your project.

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Preparing a Horizon 2020 Health proposal in 6 weeks? Challenge accepted!

Preparing a first stage proposal is possible in a short amount of time if planning is accurate. We provide the relevant steps for success.

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Mastering corner traps when setting up your Eurostars project budget

The question of how the project will be funded is a complex topic that needs to be addressed thoroughly since funding rules differ between the eligible countries and types of organisations.

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Strategic Grant Planning – Funding Programmes for Research and Innovation that meet your needs

To support researchers, academics and companies in their quest for funding, accelopment has been offering the Strategic Grant Planning (SGP) with the goal of identifying the best possible funding opportunities for your project idea and setting up a realistic action and time plan for the preparation of successful applications.

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Early Stage Researcher (ESR) explained

The definition of an ESR is rather short: “ESRs shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.”

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