Training Session: Opportunities for Newcomers to Horizon Europe

Date: Monday, 13 October 2025
Time: Bogotá (UTC-5) 07:00–09:00 AM | Berlin (UTC+2) 2:00–4:00 PM | Bangkok (UTC+7) 7:00–9:00 PM | Beijing (UTC+8) 8:00-10:00 PM
Target Audience: Researchers and Research Managers

This interactive training is designed for researchers new to Horizon Europe. Participants will gain an overview of the program’s structure, funding instruments, and practical steps to plan their European research activities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Navigate Horizon Europe’s key instruments and opportunities
• Identify funding calls relevant to their research
• Outline a first version of their European Research Plan

The session is particularly intended for 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.

Training Course by Dr. Seán McCarthy & Sylvia McCarthy

1. An Introduction to Horizon Europe Funding Landscape
The two experts provide an overview of Horizon Europe Funding, its structure and terminology, key information sources and case examples of projects funded within the Horizon Europe landscape.

2. Identifying Opportunities in Pillar II
Take a deep dive into Pillar II opportunities, including the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), and Research Infrastructures. Explore Clusters, Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), its missions, and European Partnerships to strategically navigate Horizon Europe.

3. Identifying Opportunities in Pillar III
In the next section, our experts will offer you insights into funding opportunities in Pillar III (Innovative Europe), including the European Innovation Council (EIC) with its Pathfinder and Accelerator programs, as well as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

4. Identifying Opportunities in Widening Participation and Supporting ERA
Discover practical opportunities to broaden your involvement in Horizon Europe: from Twinning, Teaming and ERA-Chairs to COST Actions, “Hop-on” Calls, and initiatives that strengthen the European Research Area, this session shows you how to expand your network and unlock new collaboration pathways.

5. Horizon Europe – the Low Hanging Fruit
The workshop concludes with practical guidance on getting started with Horizon Europe, building your European network, and discovering accessible funding opportunities to kickstart your international collaboration projects.

Closing by WAITRO Operations e.V.

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

Please note that the training course is limited to a maximum of 100 participants. Participation is subject to availability and allocation criteria set by the organizers. Submitting an application does not guarantee a place. Confirmed participants will receive an email from our team at least 4 days before the session.

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!