Horizon@UC: Initiative Encourages University of Coimbra Researchers to Participate in Horizon Europe Calls

On 24 September 2024, the University of Coimbra (UC) hosted Horizon@UC, an event organised by the Strategic Areas Unit (NAE), which brought together researchers interested in exploring funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe programme. The event featured a workshop called “Horizon Europe: Designing Future Calls”, led by Dr. Margarida Oliveira, from Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI, Portuguese National Innovation Agency), with the aim of clarifying the structure of Horizon Europe's Pillar 2 calls for the UC research community.

During the workshop, Dr. Margarida Oliveira, National Delegate for Horizon Europe, highlighted the key role that researchers play in defining call topics, explaining that proactive involvement from the early stages of call design can be crucial for the success of applications. “There are many people who are not familiar with the Horizon Europe terminology, so we thought it was important to bring UC researchers closer to the National Contact Points, so they know they can reach out to us at any time”, she said.

The event also included a series of interactive exercises and moments of discussion, offering participants the opportunity to clarify doubts and share experiences. One of Margarida Oliveira’s main pieces of advice for those looking to submit an application is not to hesitate to seek support from the National Contact Points. "Put yourselves forward when you believe you can win, and don’t think this is impossible or only for a select few”, she emphasised.

During the opening session, the Vice-Rector for Research at UC, Professor João Ramalho-Santos, highlighted the importance of increasing the University’s participation in Horizon Europe calls, particularly in areas such as Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) and Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility), where UC has strong potential for growth. “If we can raise awareness among more research centres in these areas, UC’s success in Horizon Europe could be even greater”, he said.

The Vice-Rector also left a clear message for the research community: “If you don’t apply, you won’t win. Horizon Europe offers tools that can help researchers secure funding, which could lead to permanent positions at the University – something everyone should be looking into”.

One of the Horizon@UC participants was Dr. Joana Ricarte, a UC researcher and leader of the OPPATTUNE project, funded by Horizon Europe – a testimony of success. The researcher shared how this leadership role has been significant in her career. “Having a Horizon Europe project has given me the opportunity to build a team, gain scientific independence, and be recognized at the University and national levels”, she said. She also highlighted the positive impact of being part of international consortia, which has opened doors to new collaborations.

Joana Ricarte also praised the support provided by the National Contact Points and UC itself, underlining the accessibility and proximity researchers can count on. “In Portugal, our National Contact Points are incredibly accessible – they know our names and areas of research. This is a competitive advantage we should make the most of”, she added, encouraging young researchers to get involved early on, even during the European Commission’s public consultation on future Work Programmes.

Horizon@UC reaffirmed the University of Coimbra’s commitment to empowering its researchers for the challenges of international funding calls, offering a space for sharing knowledge and experience that can be pivotal for the future success of their applications. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and making full use of available resources, such as the support of National Contact Point and UC’s services, to increase the chances of success in Horizon Europe calls.

Through initiatives like this, UC continues to strengthen its position on the international stage, promoting access to new funding opportunities and the development of projects with global impact.