This training is designed for researchers, project coordinators, universities, research institutions, industry partners, SMEs, NGOs, and policymakers looking to apply for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) under Horizon Europe Pillar 2. It is ideal for both coordinators and partnerspreparing proposals within the Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness framework.

Experience Level: Suitable for all levels of experience, from newcomers to experienced applicants. The training starts with fundamental aspects of Horizon Europe Pillar 2 funding and progressively covers advanced proposal development techniques to maximize success.

Expert Trainers: Our training is led by senior experts with extensive experience in Pillar 2 proposals and European Commission evaluations. Many of our trainers have worked as expert evaluators and reviewers for Horizon Europe, providing first-hand knowledge of the evaluation process. In addition to training, they offer proposal writing and review services at EFMC.

More details on our trainers and experts here.

Key Outcomes: This training is designed to help participants write a competitive RIA/IA/CSA proposal, ensuring strong alignment with Horizon Europe’s key strategic objectives and evaluation criteria.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Master the key elements of a Horizon Europe RIA/IA/CSA proposal, including the Excellence, Impact, and Implementation sections, ensuring clarity and coherence.
• Develop a strong project concept and structure, with clear objectives, methodology, and alignment to the expected outcomes and impacts defined in the Work Programme.
• Effectively address impact pathways, ensuring measurable results and a clear exploitation and dissemination strategy.
• Build a robust consortium, including industry, academia, and policy stakeholders, with a well-balanced distribution of roles and responsibilities.
• Understand financial planning and budgeting for RIA/IA/CSA proposals, ensuring cost eligibility and compliance with Horizon Europe rules.
• Gain insight into the evaluation process, including scoring criteria and best practices to meet European Commission expectations.
• Analyze and review their own proposal using evaluation techniques and structured assessment tools to enhance competitiveness.
• Review and discuss a successfully funded RIA/IA/CSA proposal, gaining practical insights into what makes a proposal stand out.
• Utilize practical proposal writing tools and techniques (e.g., EFMC’s enhanced Logical Framework Matrix, budgeting files, Open Science & RDM, background knowledge, IPRs, etc.).
• Submit a proposal via the Participant Portal submission system.