UK Research Office (UKRO)

UK Researchers - follow us on a journey to de-mystify Horizon Europe funding! 🧙♂️ 🌋 ⬇ ⭐ The Horizon Europe Programme provides #research funding opportunities for every UK applicant: ◼ from early career to senior researchers; ◼ from academic and non-academic institutions (SMEs, charities, hospitals, NGOs, government departments...); ◼ and from all disciplines. However, we are aware that, especially for applicants new to European funding, applications to Horizon Europe might be daunting at first. Hence, we will post articles on all aspects of Horizon Europe funding, from successfully applying to demystifying the different pillars, over the coming months. Today's post will provide a general overview of Horizon Europe and its "Three Pillars", so strap in! 👩🚀 🚀 ➡ What is Horizon Europe? Horizon Europe is the EU's main funding Programme for Research and Innovation activities in all research areas. It fosters excellence in research and promotes the formation of international partnerships. With a current total budget of €95.5 billion, it will run from 2021 to 2027. ➡What is the UK's relationship to this R&I programme? As the UK is associated to this Programme, UK-based researchers can apply to all calls, provided the call text doesn't state otherwise. ➡ What is the structure of Horizon Europe? This funding programme is based on a "three pillar structure", supplemented by horizontal pillars and other actions. Each pillar is a funding scheme with a specific focus and regulations. ➡ The "Main Three Pillar Structure"? ◼ Pillar 1️⃣ promotes excellent science in all research areas. Applicants can submit a proposal of their choice. There are three funding schemes with different focuses: "MSCA" (training of researchers), "ERC" (frontier research), and "Research Infrastructures" (to set up infrastructure). ◼ Pillar 2️⃣ funds research activities where the outcomes directly support EU policy priorities. All research areas are funded; however, submitted proposals must convince evaluators that the consortium composition and the chosen research methodology will successfully deliver all the objectives outlined in the call text. ◼ Pillar 3️⃣ funds high-risk innovative projects in disruptive technologies at all technology readiness levels in both open- and priority-driven calls. ➡ We will discuss the specifics of each scheme and more funding opportunities in subsequent posts. Stay tuned! 😉 ➡ SPOILER: Our next post will provide UK applicants with information on applying for Horizon Europe funding and the available support for all disciplines and sectors. ⭐ UK researchers, please share these posts within your research communities, both in the academic and non-academic sectors, and with those looking for new funding opportunities.⭐ UK Research and Innovation #grant #funding #HorizonEurope #opportunity #earlycareer #history #biology #chemistry #physics #geology #STEM #Arts #Humanities #sociology #literature #mathematics #statistics #languages

UK Researchers - let's tackle 🚀 this tricky 'ethics' section in your #HorizonEurope proposal with our simple explanation!  Horizon Europe proposals may ask you to elaborate on the ethical challenges of your project. It’s a part where applicants often unnecessarily lose points. 🤯 ⁉️As the first step, ask yourself: are there any ethics concerns associated with the content in your proposal? Ethics concerns could include: ◼️ Societal considerations ◼️ Any direct and/or indirect harm that may come to participants/third parties (e.g. working with vulnerable groups). ◼️ Environmental concerns (e.g. use of toxic chemicals). ◼️ Harm to animals (e.g. research on animals). ◼️ Any other concerns you can think of, that may be harmful to anyone else. You could also ask other people whether they can think of any ethical considerations associated with your research/your wider research field. 🛑 If there are no ethics concerns associated with your proposal, clearly outline why. 👉 Please share this post with anyone who is considering applying to Horizon Europe. Simply tag them in a comment! 👈 ⭐Follow us for more tips on how to be successful in Horizon Europe proposals - we wish you the best of luck.⭐ #HorizonEurope

👋🏻 Free webinar, no sign-in required: "Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe"👋🏻 New to #HorizonEurope funding, and interested in getting your feet 🐾 wet? Set yourself a reminder in your 🗓️ now! ✈️ Organiser: European Commission (funder) 👩🏿🔬 👨🏻🔬 Relevant for UK Researchers from any sector/discipline/career stage: 🗓️ 13 March 2025 🕜 09:30 - 12:45 CET // 08:30 - 11:45 BST 🔗https://lnkd.in/d3_p6-Eg We're aware that we sound like a broken record 😁, but the UK National Contact Points provide free and confidential advice in your research/funding area for European funding. They provide ⭐ free newsletters ⭐, allowing you to stay informed about relevant events and developments in your Horizon Europe funding area of interest. Important info delivered straight-to-your inbox! Sign-up here ↗️ https://lnkd.in/e3Az5MG7 ✅ They can be reached at ↗️ https://lnkd.in/ekvu7K2a

The results are in - over 350 MSCA postdoctoral fellowships have been awarded to the UK!

The results are in - over 350 MSCA postdoctoral fellowships have been awarded to the UK!

Ok, UK researchers - today, we'll address the 'impact' section of your #HorizonEurope proposal. Buckle up! 😃 ✌ The impact of your HorizonEurope project can be separated into 3 categories: 1️⃣ Scientific, 2️⃣ Societal, and 3️⃣ Economic impact. In their proposals, if requested, Horizon Europe applicants must describe whether their research and the results impact their scientific area, the wider society and/or have any innovation/knowledge transfer/commercialisation activities. ❗ It is not expected that the results have all three impacts. However, it is expected that the generated research includes at least the scientific impact by producing new results, thus expanding the frontiers of the research area. 🦊 Scientific impact ◾ Is your research generating high-quality new knowledge? ◾Is your research advancing the frontiers of your field? 🙌🏻 🤝🏻Societal impact ◾ The EU has a set of policy priorities and global challenges, which the EU expects researchers to contribute to through their EU-funded research. ◾ Will your research generate new knowledge to support the development and/or implementation of EU policies and global Challenges? 😉 Tip for the Pros: Carefully read through the call text, and note down ✍🏻 which goals the EU wants to achieve through the specified call. Read through the EU policies in your research area - you can find them in the front pages of the Work Programmes. Next, describe in the proposal how the research you produce will directly contribute to achieving their goals. 🤗Example: The EU is funding a call to research new solar cell technologies. In your proposal, you could explain that in addition to this goal, your project will also include ways to produce less waste, use less water, be less harmful to the environment and reuse critical raw materials. 💲 🚀 Economic impact ◾ Can your research results be taken up by industry and commercialised? ◾ Can your research be used to facilitate technological development and strengthen the deployment of innovative solutions? 🤗 Example: the results from solar cells can be further exploited, for example through commercialisation in green energy applications. ⭐ As always, please reshare this post with anyone who's thinking of applying to Horizon Europe. It's really as easy as tagging your colleague in a comment. Best of luck with your application!⭐

🚨 UK Innovators from all disciplines & sectors: the COST Actions Call is open for applications; the info webinar is on 1️⃣ 8️⃣ February! This Call is your gateway to grow your international network for future joint proposals. Don't miss out! 😉🚨 Follow our steps: 1️⃣ Read our previous post on COST for detailed info. In a 🌰-shell, COST Actions fund networking activities in a consortium, allowing participants to strengthen and expand their international network. ⭐ Ask yourself - is this Call something you might be interested in? Early-career stage researchers are also welcome, and there is no need to lead the consortium! ⭐ The deadline for this Call is 21 October 2025. 2️⃣ Attend the COST Info Day on 1️⃣ 8️⃣ February - Register here, now to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/ennaaSzp ⭐ Might be a good opportunity to meet partners in your field. 3️⃣ Now to find partners! ⭐ Check out our previous post on finding partners - in a 🌰 -shell: You can check databases of previous participants in research projects: 💪🏻 CORDIS provides information on all EU-funded projects: https://lnkd.in/dejjdVxf 💪🏻 COST Actions https://lnkd.in/dj-8ru54 You can contact potential partners, or be clear that you are looking for a collaboration. And for the UK-specific Joker🃏: The UK COST Contact Point can be reached for free and confidential advice at 📩 cost@dsit.gov.uk ⭐ Please share widely, especially with early career researchers and those who may be interested in applying to hashtag #HorizonEurope or other international funding sources but do not yet have an (international) network of potential partners. ⭐ 🤩 Follow us for more information on how to successfully apply to Horizon Europe funding opportunities.🤩 ⭐ Please share this post widely within your network, and especially with early career researchers in all disciplines.⭐ #funding #grant #collaboration #network Dajana Dzanovic Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Applicants often ask: "I'm working on my #HorizonEurope application, and I keep reading about 'Communication', 'Dissemination' and 'Exploitation' in the application template. What do they refer to, and what tips can you give me"? ⬇️ No worries, read on! 🦾 These 3️⃣ terms refer to Communication 👨🔬 ➡️ 👩🦱👩🏿 👩🦳 🧔👨🏽👱🏻 ▪️ During the life span of their #HorizonEurope-funded research project, the researcher explains their research and outcomes to the general public. ▪️ Through these activities, the researchers promote their research and demonstrate their importance to a layman audience of everyday citizens. ▪️ Examples of outreach activities include talking at science fairs; blog posts; website; posts on social media; interviews; articles in newspapers; visiting schools and explaining the research to children; ..... ▪️How you set up communication activities for your project depends on you and your project. For example, we have seen consortia combine training activities for recruited PhD students with outreach projects - thus killing two birds 🦜 🦜 with one stone! Dissemination 👨🔬➡️ 👨🏻🔬 👩🏾🔬 🥼 ▪️ The researcher raises awareness of their research and the generated results in their community and those who may want to use the results/can benefit from them. ▪️Examples for dissemination include: attending conferences; presenting at conferences; writing research articles and communications in relevant articles; blog posts in scientific communities. Exploitation 👩🔬 ➡️⚒️ ▪️ In this case, the researchers ensure a follow-up exploitation of the research outcomes, e.g. for commercial use in a new patent or as the starting material for new policy making. ▪️ Exploitation can be scientific, economical, political and/or societal in nature, and will depend on the research project in question. ▪️ Read the call text carefully. Does the call text state that you need to exploit the results? ➡️ If so: - consider including a partner in the consortium which will exploit the results (e.g. a SME) - check if your institution has relevant support for exploitation ➡️ If not: state that you will not exploit the results, but make them available for other parties to exploit. ➡️ If unsure, contact the UK National Contact Points for this call for free and confidential advice! ↗️ https://lnkd.in/ekvu7K2a ⭐ Please share this post with anyone from the UK scientific community, from any sectors, any disciplines, who is thinking of applying to European Funding but is still unsure whether they should dip their feet in! Can be as easy as tagging them in a comment.⭐

Reminder for UK-based research managers: Just one week until the 1️⃣ free introductory webinar on the basics of #HorizonEurope participation, held by the European Commission. Hear directly from the funder and ask your questions! 🔽 ⭐ Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe 🗓️ 13/03/2025; 🕜09:30 - 12:45 CET. 🔗https://lnkd.in/d3_p6-Eg ⭐ Grant Agreement Preparation Process in Horizon Europe 🗓️ 20/03/2025; 🕜09:30 - 12:45 CET 🔗https://lnkd.in/dC95Yf_v ⭐Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal? 🗓️27/3/2025; 🕜10:00 - 12:00 CET. 🔗https://lnkd.in/dxrk-bit ⭐ Grant Management in Horizon Europe 🗓️ 3/04/2025; 🕜09:30 - 13:00 CET. 🔗https://lnkd.in/dp-SB7hr These webinars: ✔️ are organised by and include expert speakers directly from the Funder ✔️ provide a good overview for research managers who are at the start of their career ✔️ allow you to ask questions or raise issues directly with the funding agency. ⭐ Please share these events with anyone who may be interested - it's as easy as tagging them in a comment below this post.⭐ #HorizonEurope #Application #Grant

Celebrating a year of association to Horizon Europe! ➡️ On 18 March 2025 DSIT and UKRI are hosting an event at the Kia Oval, London, to showcase UK-EU collaboration and promote the UK's participation in Horizon Europe opportunities ➡️ Discover how engaging with Horizon Europe can positively impact your work, and gain valuable information on a range of funding opportunities and support available. Whether you’re new to Horizon Europe or looking to deepen your involvement, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. ➡️ Who should attend? We are inviting the broadest Research and Innovation (R&I) audience possible, across higher education institutions, industry and business sectors, across all remits and disciplines and sizes of organisation, as well as different career stages - including those looking to participate in Horizon for the first time to those who are ready to form and lead consortia. We also want to engage leaders responsible for strategic research development from universities, institutes, businesses and industry. For example, can include roles such as CEOs, CTOs, Directors of Research, Heads of Research Development, Head of EU Funding or similar roles. ➡️ Programme outline - The event will include a mix of talks/presentations , panel discussions, and breakout sessions where participants can learn more about the opportunities available and how to be successful, as well as the opportunity to network with peers and National Contact Points. ➡️ More details and how to register - https://lnkd.in/eekGmV7q