Training Session: Getting Ready for Pillar II

Please note that this training session is already fully booked. Only a waiting list is available in case spots open up (for Members in Good Standing only).

Date: Tuesday, 04 November 2025
Time: Bogotá (UTC-5) 08:00–10:00 | Berlin (UTC+1) 14:00–16:00 | Bangkok (UTC+7) 20:00–22:00 | Beijing (UTC+8) 21:00–23:00
Target Audience: Researchers and Research Managers

This interactive training by Dr. Seán McCarthy is tailored for researchers interested in Pillar II of Horizon Europe. Participants will gain insights into specific funding opportunities and mechanisms within Pillar II. By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize how partners are selected for Pillar II proposals
• Plan networking and collaboration strategies effectively
• Approach future funding opportunities with confidence

The session is particulaly aimed at staff of WAITRO Members in Good Standing. Please find a detailed list of these members below*. If you are interested in becoming a WAITRO member or in upgrading your organization’s status to one of those listed below, please contact us at at a.brangs@waitro-operations.org.

Welcome by WAITRO Operations e.V.

A short introduction and overview of the session’s objectives and its relevance for WAITRO members.

Workshop by Dr. Seán McCarthy & Sylvia McCarthy

1. Horizon Europe Funding Landscape

Refresh your knowledge on Horizon Europe and get an essential overview of its structure, case examples of funded projects, and gain insights on key sources of information to navigate the funding landscape confidently.

2. Identifying Opportunities in Pillar II

Our experts will present Pillar II funding opportunities, covering its clusters, Coordination and Support Actions, missions, and European Partnerships to help you plan impactful projects.

3. Expert Groups Consulted for Pillar II Topics

Learn how European networks, associations and COST Actions work and discover how to join European Expert Groups to enhance stronger collaboration.

4. How Partners are Selected for Pillar II Proposals

Understand consortium roles and learn how to select core partners, while also gaining helpful strategies for networking as first-time applicants to Horizon Europe.

5. Sources of Ideas for Horizon Europe Proposals

Discover practical ways to generate ideas for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) to develop competitive project proposals.

Closing by WAITRO Operations e.V.

A brief summary of the session followed by concluding reflections and key takeaways.

Please note that this training session is already fully booked. Only a waiting list is available in case spots open up (for Members in Good Standing only).

Dr. Seán McCarthy has been actively involved in the European Commission’s Framework Programmes since 1980. Over the years, he has contributed to more than 150 research proposals and participated in over 60 Framework projects, serving as coordinator in 16 of them. More recently, he has focused on designing and delivering training courses for researchers and project managers. In 30 years of training, his courses have reached over 80,000 participants across 29 countries.

Sylvia McCarthy is an EU Policy Analyst based in Brussels since 2008. She has extensive experience working in the European Parliament as well as with various EU consultancies and representations. Sylvia holds a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies from University College Cork, Ireland, and a Master’s degree in International Politics and Europe from the University of Warwick, UK.

More information on: www.hyperion.ie

Scientific Research Council (SRC), Jamaica | TÜBİTAK, Türkiye | CeNAT, Costa Rica | Danish Technological Institute (DTI), Denmark | Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia (ITG), Spain | Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), Thailand | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany | Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI), Taiwan (China) | Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, India | Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka | SINTEF, Norway | SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia | Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), Trinidad & Tobago | Centro Tecnológico de Antioquia (CTA), Colombia | Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Jordan | Kibabii University, Kenya | Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Botswana | University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom | Baku State University, Azerbaijan | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa | Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Colombia | Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), China | University of Namibia, Namibia | IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL), Sweden | Uganda Christian University, Uganda | Universidad CES, Colombia | Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD), Colombia | Fraunhofer Chile Research, Chile | Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Türkiye | North-West University (NWU), South Africa | Laboratorios Técnicos – Ministerio de Energía y Minas, Guatemala | National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia | Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile | Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Belgium

If you are interested in obtaining membership in good standing, please contact us at a.brangs@waitro-operations.org!