NEWS and EVENTS - International Research

• New LIFE 2026 calls for proposals now open

On 21 April, the new 2026 calls for proposals for the LIFE programme were published. The European Union’s main instrument for funding projects in the environmental, climate and energy sectors.

The programme is divided into four sub-programmes:
1. Nature and biodiversity conservation
2. Circular economy and quality of life
3. Climate change mitigation and adaptation
4. Clean energy transition

The 2026 calls for proposals, in addition to being broken down by sub-programme, are also categorised by project type. There are six project categories in total:

• Standard Action Projects (SAPs)
• Other Action Grants (OAGs)
• Strategic Nature Conservation Projects (SNaP) 
• Integrated Strategic Projects (SIP)
• Technical assistance projects for the preparation of SNaPs and SIPs
• Call for proposals for projects addressing ad hoc political and legislative priorities (PLP)

The deadline for submitting project proposals is 22 September 2026, with the exception of Integrated Strategic Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Conservation Projects (SNaPs), for which the deadline for submitting concept notes is 3 September and proposals for OAG calls, for which the deadline is 16 September 2026.

For further information on the open calls and the programme, please visit the official website. 

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• Event: ‘HOW TO WRITE A MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS (MSCA) DOCTORAL NETWORKS (DN) PROPOSAL’

The European and International Research Support Unit of the University of Parma is organising, in collaboration with the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE), the training event “HOW TO WRITE A PROPOSAL FOR MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS (MSCA) DOCTORAL NETWORKS (DN)”, which will take place on Wednesday 8 July 2026, from 09:30 to 12:30, at the Centro Sant’Elisabetta, on the Campus (Parco Area delle Scienze di Parma, 95, 43124 Parma). 

During the event, Angelo D’Agostino, from APRE, will introduce the MSCA-DN funding scheme and offer advice on drafting the three sections of the proposal template: Excellence, Impact, Quality and Efficiency of Implementation, including through practical examples. Furthermore, aspects relating to the formation of the consortium and budget allocation will be addressed. For further information, please refer to the event agenda available at the following link: link.

The event is aimed at professors and researchers interested in submitting a project proposal in response to the MSCA-DN 2026 call for proposals, as well as technical and administrative staff involved in drafting such proposals, affiliated with the University of Parma or other organisations associated with Tavolo Europa. 

Due to the maximum capacity, places for the event are limited and will be allocated on the “first come, first served” principle. To register, you must complete the registration form by Wednesday 1 July. Those who complete the form correctly will receive an email informing them whether a place has been reserved or whether they are on the waiting list.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 6 “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”:  Info Day 2026 

On 22 and 23 January, the Horizon Europe Info Days dedicated to Cluster 6 “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”. The event took place in a hybrid format: in person at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels and via live streaming on the Commission’s online platform.

Key topics:

• Insights into the political context of Cluster 6
• A session “key-to-success” session with advice and guidance on preparing high-quality proposals
• Dedicated pitch sessions for each topic of the Work Programme 2026

For those who were unable to attend the event, recordings are available at the following link.

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• Horizon Europe Week 2026

Registration is now officially open for Horizon Europe Week 2026, the national event organised by APRE in collaboration with the MUR and entirely dedicated to the 2026 Horizon Europe calls for proposals.

The core of the initiative will consist of three main days, scheduled for 15 to 17 December 2025, which will officially open the Week.

These will be followed by five side events organised every Thursday between January and February 2026, on 22 and 29 January and 5, 12 and 19 February. This modular structure will allow participants to explore specific topics in greater depth and at a more gradual pace, whilst gaining access to a comprehensive and up-to-date overview.

The national Info Days will complement the European Commission’s events, rounding out the information provided through the involvement of Commission officials, national delegates and APRE experts, who will provide an in-depth analysis of the key developments and strategic elements for effective participation in the 2026 calls for proposals.

During the three opening days, presentations will alternate, focusing on the main pillars and clusters of Horizon Europe. On 15 December, the focus will be on topics relating to Research Infrastructures, Cluster 3 – Security, and WIDERA, following the institutional opening. On 16 December, the focus will shift to health, culture and society, digital and industry, climate and energy, and finally the agri-food and environment themes of Cluster 6. 17 December will finally be dedicated to MSCA, EU Missions, at each session, the New European Bauhaus and the European innovation ecosystem through the EIC and EIE will be presented.

At each session, the 2026 Work Programmes will be presented, accompanied by an overview of initiatives related to the various thematic areas.

To take part, registration is required.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility” – Info Day

Thursday 15 January at 09:00 CET, the Info Day dedicated to Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility" of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the European Commission. During the event, the funding opportunities available under the Work Programme 2026 will be outlined, and advice will be provided on how to prepare competitive project proposals. In addition, there will be parallel sessions dedicated to each theme in the Work Programme 2026, to answer participants’ specific questions.

For those who were unable to follow the event, recordings are available at the following link.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 1 ‘Health’ – Info Day

On 10 February at 09:00 CET, the <>Info Day was streamed live<>dedicated to Cluster 1 ‘Health’" dedicated to Cluster 1 “Health” of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the European Commission. During the event, the six calls for proposals featured in the Work Programme 2026 were presented:

• Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society
• Living and working in a health-promoting environment
• Tackling diseases and reducing the burden of disease
• Ensuring access to innovative, sustainable and high-quality healthcare
• Unlocking the full potential of new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society
• Maintaining an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health-related industry

For those who were unable to attend the event, recordings are available at the following link.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 2 "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" – Info Day and Brokerage Event

Info Day: 26 March 2026

On 26 March at 09:30 CET, theInfo Day dedicated to Cluster 2 “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” of the Horizon Europe programme organised by the European Commission. Cluster 2 is the instrument through which the European Commission aims to strengthen democratic governance and citizen participation, to safeguard and promote cultural heritage and the cultural and creative industries, as well as to respond to and actively help shape the complex social, economic, technological and cultural transformations.

During the Info Day, the three areas of intervention, as well as the related calls for proposals, included in the Work Programme 2026–2027 will be presented:

• Green transition
• Digital transition
• A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe

No registration is required to follow the event. The live stream will be available via this link.

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• Publication of the new Horizon Europe 2026–2027 Work Programmes

The European Commission has officially published and adopted the new Work Programmes for Horizon Europe for the two-year period 2026–2027, containing the new calls for research and innovation projects, with a total of 14 billion euros made available for research and innovation within the framework of the European Union’s strategic objectives. 

Among the key simplification measures is funding via a lump sum for half of the budget available for the calls, and a two-stage evaluation process planned for 41 topics, which will allow applicants to submit a short proposal first and to submit the full proposal only if their application is successful.

The published Work Programmes are as follows:

Under the “Excellent Science” pillar”:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, for projects aimed at the training and mobility of researchers;
• Research Infrastructures, which offers opportunities to strengthen European research infrastructures.

Under the pillar “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness”:

• Cluster 1 – Health;
• Cluster 2 – Culture, creativity and an inclusive society;
• Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society;
• Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space;
• Clusters 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility;
• Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

As part of the “Innovative Europe" pillar:

• European Innovation Council (EIC);
• European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE).

The Work Programme for the Missions and the New European Bauhaus Facility have also been published. The latter includes calls that tackle cross-cutting challenges across various sectors of research and innovation, aimed at revitalising neighbourhoods through sustainable and inclusive design.

Finally, the cross-cutting Work Programme ‘Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area’ has been published, which aims to strengthen the participation of widening countries and to promote a more integrated and cohesive European ecosystem. 

All the Work Programmes for 2026–2027 are available on the Elly Proform, on the page dedicated to International Research.

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• Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) - Info Day and Networking Event

Info Day: 12 March 2026

On 12 March 2026 at 14:00 CET, the online Info Day dedicated to the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).  The CBE JU is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), which funds projects promoting competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. During theevent, organised by the CBE JU, BIC and the European Commission, the topics of the 2026 calls and the rules for participation will be presented; furthermore, advice will be given on how to prepare competitive proposals. Finally, the last part of the event will be dedicated to a Q&A session.

For those who were unable to attend the event, the recording is available at the following link.

Networking event: 21 April 2026

On 21 April 2026 an in-person event will be held in Brussels the networking event of the CBE JU programme. The event will feature a mix of interactive training sessions and matchmaking sessions, enabling participants to meet potentialpotential partners, develop project ideas and explore possible collaborations. The event will take place at Track Brussels, an urban lab located at Gare du Nord, Rue du Progrès 76, 1030 Schaerbeek.

Further details regarding the Networking Event, as well as the link to register for the event, are available on the dedicated web page.

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• New PRIMA 2026 calls for proposals now open

On 20 March, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) has opened applications for the new 2026 calls. 

The 2026 calls under Section 1 cover the following thematic areas:

- Water Management in the Nexus 2026 - Decentralised Brackish Water Desalination for Climate-Resilient and Resource-Efficient Mediterranean Agriculture: project proposals should, as a guideline, have a duration of 36 months and a budget in the region of 3.6 million euros;

- Farming Systems in the Nexus 2026 – Next Generation of Sustainable and Alternative Animal Feeds for Circular and Resilient Mediterranean Farming Systems: project proposals should, as a guideline, have a duration of 36 months and a budget in the region of 2.7 million euros;

- Agri-Food Value Chain in the Nexus 2026 – Sustainable on-site processing of perishable Mediterranean agricultural products: project proposals should, as a guideline, have a duration of 36 months and a budget of around 2.7 million euros. 

The three calls are categorised as Innovation Actions (IA), i.e. actions directly aimed at producing new, modified or improved plans, products, processes or services. 

Among the 2026 calls for proposals in Section 1, a call of the type Coordination and Support Action (CSA) – Institutionalising and scaling the Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Community of Practice for cross-sectoral governance and policy uptake: project proposals should, as a guideline, have a duration of 36 months and a budget in the region of 1.05 million euros.

The specific criteria for the composition of the consortium are detailed in theAWP and in the individual call.

The deadline for submitting Type IA project proposals is 15 May 2026 at 13:00 (CET), whilst the deadline for submitting Type CSA project proposals is 11 June 2026. 

For further information on the open calls and the programme, please visit the official website. 

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• Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) – National Info Day

APRE, in agreement with the MUR and in collaboration with the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) partnership, is organising the national information event “IHORIZON EUROPE INFO DAY – EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS | 2026 CBE JU Call for Proposals – Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking” following the related European Info Day held on 12 March 2026. 

On 7 April, online, from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm CET, European and national experts will present the CBE-JU 2026 calls for proposals, which, with a total budget of 170.7 million euros, aim to support the development of bio-based technologies and industries across Europe and beyond.00 CET, European and national experts will present the CBE-JU 2026 calls for proposals, which, with a total budget of 170.7 million euros, aim to support the development of competitive bio-based and circular industries in Europe. 

Participation in the Info Day is free, subject to registration by 6 April 2026 at 1.00 pm CET. On the dedicated webpage you can find the full event agenda as well as the registration form.

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• TT Lazio Programme

The Lazio Region has launched the TT Lazio programme, aimed at supporting the commercial exploitation of high-tech research results within the Region’s RIS3 areas, including life sciences, energy and the environment, and the space economy.

Applications may be submitted for projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 4:
- teams comprising at least three natural persons of legal age, including at least one person engaged in the research covered by the project;
- innovative start-ups, registered in the dedicated special section of the Register of Companies in accordance with Decree-Law 179/2012 and subsequent amendments and additions, established no more than 36 months ago;

The programme offers a 10-month course providing access to:
• training and mentoring services for the development of the business project;
• cash prizes, non-repayable grants and quasi-equity investments for the most promising businesses;
• networking opportunities with businesses, investors and partners.

The programme is divided into three phases and, for those who progress to the third phase, the following are provided:
- A prize of 40,000 euros for the five finalist projects;
- A non-repayable grant of up to 110,000 euros for the five finalists;
- A quasi-equity investment from the TT VENTURE Lazio fund of up to 400,000 euros for at least two of the finalists

To prepare and support interested teams,the following informative webinars are scheduled, which you are welcome to attend: 

📅 13 May 2026 – 11.30 am–1.00 pm  
Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9fd1628e-478b-4fee-94f4-5258090968e6@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60 

📅 19 May 2026 – 11.30 am–1.00 pm  
Registration:&https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd0f93f9-a090-452a-ac38-0f214df888e7@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60 

📅 25 May 2026 – 09:30– 11:00  
Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8817ffb5-1b87-4740-9f4c-a3abfcc226a0@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60 

For those who have already taken part in previous webinars and read the call for proposals documentation, in the coming weeks further in-depth sessions are also scheduled, organised by Lazio Innova to address any remaining queries; below are the links to take part: 

Thursday 14 May from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b1a81c28-fb68-4f4e-98f3-32700fe88b1a@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60  

Thursday 14 May from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9c4aef25-4ea4-43cb-9abc-70756fb45481@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60  

Friday 15 May from 10.00 am to 11.00 am  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e347e101-c8b8-47f8-8686-66f4481d1f9b@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60  

Wednesday 20 May from 11.00 to 12.00  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1ba65851-9343-4785-9fda-5954be143f96@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60  

Friday 22 May from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/cab4aaa4-fed1-42ed-846f-e36f62604a03@783f8273-847d-456d-9d60-ee2022305e60 

Further information is available at the following link: https://ttlazio.lazioinnova.it/ 

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• Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) – Info Day: 12 March 2026

On 12 March 2026 at 14:00 CET, the online Info Day dedicated to the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).  The CBE JU is a public-private partnership between theEuropean Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), which funds projects promoting competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. During the event, organised by the CBE JU, BIC and the European Commission, the topics of the 2026 calls26, along with the rules for participation; furthermore, advice will be given on how to prepare competitive proposals. Finally, the last part of the event will be dedicated to a Q&A session.

Further details regarding the Info Day, as well as the link to register for the event, are available on the dedicated web page.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 5 "Climate, Energy and Mobility" – Brokerage event and Info Day

Registration is now officially open for the Brokerage event and the Info Day organised in collaboration with the European Commission.

Brokerage event: 14 January 2026

On Wednesday 14 January 2026, the Brokerage event dedicated to Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility” of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the National Contact Point network “GREENET” in collaboration with the European Commission and Enterprise Europe Network.

The Brokerage events enable researchers interested in participating in the calls for proposals within the 2026 Work Programme to connect with other researchers, companies and stakeholders to form competitive partnerships and jointly develop project ideas. 

Participants will have the opportunity to meet potential partners in two ways:

• Short presentations (max. 3 minutes) to be held from 10.00 to 12.00 CET and during which you will have the opportunity to present your project idea or expertise in relation to the relevant calls for proposals to a wide audience
• Bilateral meeting (max. 20 minutes): sessions for one-to-one meetings with potential partners, to be held from 12:00 to 18:00 CET.

Participation in the event is free of charge, subject to registration and the creation of a profile, which must be finalised via the webpage dedicated to the event by Friday 19 December 2025. Alternatively, submit your presentation until Monday 8 December 2025 and apply to take part in the meetings until Wednesday 14 January 2026. 

Info Day: 15 January 2026

Thursday 15 January at 09:00 CET will be broadcast via live stream on the Info Day dedicated to Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility” of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the European Commission. During the event, the funding opportunities available in the Work Programme 2026 will be outlined, and advice will be provided on how to prepare competitive project proposals. In addition, there will be parallel sessionsdedicated to each theme in the Work Programme 2026, to answer participants’ specific questions.

To follow the event, you must register via the following link by Wednesday 14 January 2026. The live stream will be available via this link.

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• Horizon Europe Cluster 1 “Health” - Brokerage event and Info Day

Registration is now officially open for the Brokerage event and the Info Day organised in collaboration with the European Commission.

Brokerage event: 26–30 January 2026

During the week of 26–30 January 2026, the Brokerage event dedicated to Cluster 1 “Health” of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the National Contact Point network “Health-NCP-Net 3.0” in collaboration with the European Commission and Enterprise Europe Network.

The Brokerage events enable researchers interested in participating in the calls for proposals within the 2026 Work Programme to connect with other researchers, companies and stakeholders to form competitive partnerships. 

The event will feature a mix of pitch sessions and meeting sessions will take place in turn:

• Pitch sessions: sessions in which anyone wishing to do so may present their project idea or their expertise withincontext of the calls for proposals
• Meeting session: sessions for one-to-one meetings with potential partners.

Participation in the event is free of charge, subject to registration and the creation of a profile, both of which must be completed via the webpage dedicated to the event, where you can also view the final programme.

Registration for the event will remain open until Wednesday 21 January 2026, whilst thedeadline for submitting your presentation for a pitch session is Monday 19 January 2026.

Info Day: 10 February 2026

10 February at 09:00 CET the Info Day dedicated to Cluster 1<> will be streamed live<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "Health" of the Horizon Europe programme, organised by the European Commission. During the event, the six objectives set out in the Work Programme 2026 will be presented:

• Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society
• Living and working in a health-promoting environment
• Tackling diseases and reducing the burden of disease
• Ensuring access to innovative, sustainable and high-quality healthcare
• Unlocking the full potential of new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society
• Maintaining an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health-related industry

No registration is required to follow the event. The live stream will be available via this link.

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• Brussels – Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Week: Brokerage Event and Info Day 2026 

From 20 to 23 January 2026 Brussels will host a week entirely dedicated to potential proposers for Horizon Europe Cluster 6, featuring a series of training and networking events designed to support preparation for upcoming calls for proposals.

Registration is now officially open for the Brokerage Event and the Info Days organised in collaboration with the European Commission.

Brokerage Event – 21 January, Brussels

On 21 January, the Brokerage Event will take place, organised by the CARE4BIO with the support of the European Commission. The initiative is designed to facilitate meetings between potential partners and encourage the formation of consortia ahead of the forthcoming Cluster 6 calls for proposals. The dedicated platform enables the organisation of bilateral meetings between participants from across Europe (and beyond) interested in the same topics, with the aim of sharing new project ideas and finding partners for future collaborations. Thanks to this digital infrastructure, the brokerage event will help participants build strong consortia ahead of the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Calls 2026.

Registration will remain open until all available places are filled and in any case no later than 11 January.

Info Day – 22 and 23 January, Brussels

The week will conclude with the official European Commission Info Days, scheduled for 22 and 23 January. The event will take place in a hybrid format: in person at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels and streamed via the Commission’s online platform.

The event will offer a comprehensive programme designed to support proposers for the 2026 Work Programme, including:

Key topics:

• Insights into the policy context of Cluster 6
• A ‘key-to-success’ session with advice and guidance on preparing high-quality proposals
• Dedicated pitches for each topic of the 2026 Work Programme

Practical information:

📅 Day 1 – 22 January (09:00–17:00, including lunch)
Sessions: Plenary, Key to Success, Destinations 2 and 3

📅 Day 2 – 23 January (09:00–13:00, followed by lunch)
Sessions: Destinations 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Week offers a unique opportunity to explore the 2026 Work Programme in depth, gain useful insights from the European Commission and forge new partnerships. A strategic event to strengthen your proposals ahead of the upcoming calls for proposals.

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• EU GREEN Webinar – “PhD: what’s next?”

Thursday 29 January, from 10.00 am to 11.30 am, as part of the EU GREEN project, the European and International Research Support Unit at the University of Parma will hold a webinar entitled “PhD: what’s next?”. 

T’event is aimed at PhD students enrolled in the final two years of a PhD programme at universities involved in the EU GREEN Alliance, and will focus on European project planning. During the session, the main European funding opportunities for researchers at the early stage of their careers will be presented, including international mobility programmes and post-doctoral funding schemes. The key concepts for drafting project proposals at European level will also be explained, offering practical tools to navigate the funding landscape and to devise and draft an effective project proposal.  

To take part in the webinar , you must register by completing this form by Tuesday 27 January. Those who have successfully registered will be sent the Teams link by email before the event.

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• UniLiON – New networking sessions for Horizon Europe: ideas, collaborations and funding opportunities

The UniLiON network (Universities Informal Liaison Offices Network) is organising a series of online meetings dedicated to building partnerships for the 2026 Horizon Europe calls for proposals, specifically relating to Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility (5 December 2025) and Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (10 December 2025).

These sessions aim to bring together researchers, innovators and stakeholders from across Europe to explore new funding opportunities, share project ideas and build strong consortia in preparation for the upcoming calls for proposals.

Participants are invited to deliver a 3-minute pitch to present their project ideas, expertise or collaboration interests.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with potential partners and foster new synergies within the European research and innovation landscape.

You can register for the events by 28 November for Cluster 5 and by 1 December 2025 for Cluster 6 by visiting the following page: UniLiON Brokerage series on Horizon Europe calls in 2026.

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• EU GREEN Webinar – “EIC Pathfinder”

On Friday 21 November from 10.00 am to 11.30 am, as part of the EU GREEN project, the European and International Research Support Unit of the University of Parma will hold a webinar entitled “EIC Pathfinder”. The event is open to researchers and technical and administrative staff from the universities involved in the EU GREEN alliance and will be divided into two parts:

• EIC Pathfinder Open – Call presentation and objectives: in which the main features of the call for proposals and the rules for participation will be presented;
• Application Form Part B: How to address the sections “Excellence”, “Impact”, and “Implementation”: in which the sections comprising the project proposal will be explained and advice will be provided on how to write a competitive proposal.

To take part, you must register by completing the form by Thursday 20 November (12:00). The Teams link will be sent by email prior to the event to those who have successfully registered.
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• EIC Work Programme 2025

In 2025, the European Innovation Council (EIC) will allocate €1.4 billion to support research into advanced technologies and high-potential start-ups in Europe. The programme introduces several new features, such as easier access to equity financing for scale-ups, thanks to the new EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) scale-up scheme, launched following the adoption of the STEP Regulation at the start of the year. Further improvements are planned, in line with the recommendations of the EIC Committee.

The key points are:

• the new EIC STEP Scale-up scheme, which will have a budget of €300 million, aims to provide more substantial investments to companies seeking to bring strategic technologies to the EU market and reduce strategic dependencies.
• the updated set of EIC Challenges: 
  • €120 million for emerging technologies;
  • €250 million for start-ups in specific technology sectors;
• increased access to Business Acceleration Services for emerging companies from ‘expanding countries’ (countries with lower levels of research and innovation)
• Award of Seals of Excellence under the Transition and Accelerator calls of the new STEP Seal, as part of the STEP Scale-up Scheme and Accelerator Challenge calls. These seals aim to facilitate access to complementary funding sources, such as Cohesion Policy funds and EIC business acceleration services.

The ‘EIC Work Programme 2025’ is based on the following main funding schemes:

• EIC Pathfinder – €262 million – for multidisciplinary research teams engaged in pioneering research and technological development, with the potential to generate innovative breakthroughs;
• EIC Transition – €98 million – to convert research results into innovation opportunities, capitalising on the outcomes of collaborative EIC Pathfinder, European Research Council Proof of Concept and Horizon Europe Pillar 2 (social challenges) projects;
• EIC Accelerator – €634 million – for start-ups and SMEs, to develop, commercialise and scale up innovations with the potential to create new markets or revolutionise existing ones;
• EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Scale-up – €300 million – will provide additional equity funding to promising companies driving innovation in critical sectors (SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs and small mid-caps) to help them secure more substantial private co-investment and stimulate the growth of their businesses.

EIC 2025 work programme - European Commission

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• EU GREEN Project – Research Webinars

In 2025, a new initiative within the EU GREEN alliance, entitled ‘Research Webinars’, will be launched to offer researchers the opportunity to present and discuss their research topics online, as part of the clusters’ activities. The main aim of this initiative is to foster mutual understanding within the alliance and to provide a platform for early-career researchers to share their work.

A multidisciplinary approach is encouraged: it is possible and recommended to present research spanning different scientific fields.

Why take part?

• Share your experience and research with a wider academic community.
• Facilitate collaborations with other researchers.
• Build an international network of contacts.
• Enhance your academic career by developing your communication skills.
• Promote interdisciplinarity and integration across different research sectors.
• Help create a collaborative and interconnected academic environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work and broaden your academic horizons!

Further information is available on the website dedicated to the research activities of the EU GREEN alliance.

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• Launch of the EIT Community Hub Italia

On 18 February, the launch event for the EIT Community Hub Italia will take place in Bologna, organised by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), in collaboration with APRE and ART-ER.

The EIT Community Hub Italia is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) aimed at connecting businesses, start-ups, universities and institutions with the opportunities offered by the EIT Community.

The day’s programme is as follows:

• 10:00 – 10:30 | Registration
• 10:30 – 11:00 | Welcome and introduction by the organising institutions
• 11:00 – 11:30 | Keynote speeches and presentation of the EIT Community Hub Italia
• 11:30 – 12:00 | Round-table discussion on innovation ecosystems and skills
• 12:00 – 12:15 | Coffee break
• 12.15 – 1.15 pm | Panel on the digital and green transitions
• 1.15 – 2.30 pm | Networking lunch and networking with the Knowledge and Innovation Communities
• 2.30 – 4.00 pm | Matchmaking workshop for upcoming European calls for proposals

Registration via the dedicated form is required to attend.

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• Horizon Europe: 2025 Info Day on research funding

Every year, the European Commission organises an Info Day for each of the six clusters under Pillar II of Horizon Europe, with the aim of presenting funding opportunities to interested researchers.

The 2025 Info Days will take place online and will be streamed live. Some events will also allow for in-person attendance.

Here is the schedule of events:

• Cluster 1 “Health” will take place on 22 May 2025 at 9.00 am. Further information is available on the dedicated webpage
• Cluster 2 “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” will take place on 15 May 2025 at 9.30 am. Further information is available on the dedicated webpage;
• Cluster 3 “Civil security for society” will take place on 11 and 12 June 2025 from 10.00 am, both online and in person at the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre (Brussels). Further information is available on the dedicated webpage;
• Cluster 4 “Digital, Industry and Space” will take place on 13 and 14 May 2025 at 9.30 am. Further information is available on the dedicated webpage;
• Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility” will take place on 6 May 2025 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm and will be held both online and in person at the Charlemagne building (Brussels). Further information is available on the dedicated webpage;

• Cluster 6 “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment” will take place on 20 and 21 May 2025 from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Further information can be found on the dedicated webpage.

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• Information webinars on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Actions

  As part of Work Package 3 of the EU GREEN project, which focuses on research, two information webinars will be held for researchers and lecturers interested in the opportunities offered by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Actions (MSCA PF).

  Calendar of events:

• 23 April 2025, 10.00–11.30 (CET)
  ‘Presentation of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call for proposals and opportunities within EU GREEN’
  The session will provide an overview of the MSCA PF call for proposals, which supports postdoctoral researchers in developing their skills through international, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary mobility. The event is aimed both at academic staff and researchers interested in becoming supervisors, and at postdoctoral researchers keen to explore the opportunities on offer. During the webinar, a female researcher who has been awarded an MSCA PF fellowship will present her research project.
   

• 22 May 2025, 10.00 – 12.00 (CET)

  ‘How to write a successful proposal for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship’

  During this session, practical advice will be provided on how to write a competitive proposal. A researcher from the University of Angers and her supervisor, Professor Anna Michalska-Ciechanowska from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), will speak and share their strategies for drafting the various sections of the proposal. In addition, Jowita Chojcan and Anaelle Gerard, members of the WP3 task force, will offer guidance on how best to structure the work plan and demonstrate alignment between the researcher and the host institution.

  To take part in both webinars, you must register by contacting the European and International Research Support Unit at: ricerca.internazionale@unipr.it.

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• MSCA Staff Exchange Call for Proposals 2025

  On 27 March 2025, the new call for proposals for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Staff Exchange Actions was launched, with a total budget of €97.7 million and a deadline of 8 October 2025.

  The MSCA Staff Exchange is an international and interdisciplinary initiative within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions that promotes cooperation and exchange between academic and industrial organisations through research projects involving the mobility of researchers and academic staff. Staff will benefit from new knowledge, skills and career development opportunities, whilst participating organisations will enhance their research and innovation capabilities.

  For more detailed information, please visit the dedicated website.

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• CBE JU: 2025 calls for proposals now open

  On 3 April 2025, the new calls for proposals funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) were launched, with a total budget of €172 million and a deadline of 18 September 2025.

  The programme aims to promote the transition to a sustainable economy by supporting projects ranging from innovation in production processes to the adoption of greener and more inclusive solutions, whilst encouraging the active participation of all sectors – both terrestrial and marine – in the European bioeconomy.

  Funding is focused on 13 main themes, divided into various categories such as innovation, research and development.

• Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation (IA-flagship)
• Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass (IA-flagship)
• Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties (IA-flagship)
• Retrofitting of (bio)refineries and industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products (IA-flagship)
• Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, value-added applications: cultivation and optimised production systems (IA)
• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based solutions to replace hazardous conventional chemicals in textile production (IA)
• Scaling up nutritional proteins from alternative sources (IA)
• Continuous, cost-effective and robust biotechnological processes based on biological raw materials (IA)
• Bio-based SSbD polymers and copolymers paving the way for new market applications (IA)
• Utilisation of unexploited forest biomass (RIA)
• Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertiliser products, with a view to reducing microplastic pollution and promoting soil health (RIA)
• Alternative bio-production pathways for natural and synthetic rubber (RIA)

• Development and implementation of new educational programmes and knowledge-sharing practices relating to bio-based systems (CSA)

  For more detailed information, please visit the dedicated website.

  For those interested in participating in the calls for proposals listed, the national online event ‘INFO DAY HORIZON EUROPE - EU PARTNERSHIPS | 2025 CBE JU Call for Proposals – Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking’ will take place on 16 April 2025. It is organised by APRE in agreement with the MUR and in collaboration with the CBE JU partnership.

  During the event, the priorities and new features of the 2025 call for proposals will be explained, along with the rules for participation, and advice will be provided on how to submit a successful proposal. Furthermore, in the afternoon, some winners of the 2024 call for proposals will speak.  To take part in the event, you must register via the following link by 15 April 2025 at 1.00 pm. Further information is available on the dedicated webpage.

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• Digital Europe: 2025 calls for proposals now open

  On 15 April 2025, four new calls for proposals under the Digital Europe programme will open, with a total budget of €140 million and a deadline of 2 September 2025.

  The calls are as follows:

• Call for proposals on European Digital Innovation Hubs (DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08), covering two different topics
• Call for proposals on better use of technologies (DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08), covering two different topics
• Call for proposals on advanced digital skills for the creation of three sector-specific academies (DIGITAL-2025-SKILLS-08), comprising three different topics

• Call for proposals on AI Continent (DIGITAL-2025-AI-08), comprising five different topics

  In addition, on 3 April 2025, the call for proposals ‘Consolidation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with a reinforced AI focus)’ (ID: DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-EU-EEA-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP) was launched, aimed at EDIHs in specific regions, with a deadline of 14 May 2025.

  For more detailed information, please visit the dedicated website.

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• New LIFE 2025 calls for proposals now open

  The new 2025 calls for proposals under the LIFE programme were published on 24 April. The programme, which runs from 2021 to 2027, is divided into two distinct sectors: Environment and Climate Action.

  Each sector comprises two sub-programmes:

• Environment:

  1. Nature and biodiversity conservation

  2. Circular economy and quality of life

• Climate Action:

  1. Climate change mitigation and adaptation

  2. Clean energy transition

  The 2025 calls for proposals, specific to each sub-programme and project category, are divided into:

• Standard Action Projects (SAPs) under the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme: projects aimed at the transition to a sustainable, circular, toxin-free, energy-efficient and climate-resilient economy. Budget: €81 million;
• Standard Action Projects (SAPs) under the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme: projects concerning the implementation of EU legislation on nature and biodiversity. Budget: €156.9 million;
• Standard Action Projects (SAPs) under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme: projects aimed at implementing climate policy and transforming the EU to make it climate-neutral and climate-resilient. Budget: €61.5 million;
• Projects under the ‘Transition to Clean Energy’ sub-programme: funds coordination and support actions on specific themes (the topics covered by the call for proposals). Budget: €91.4 million (12 topics);
• Strategic Nature Conservation Projects (SNaP) and Integrated Strategic Projects (SIP): funds Integrated Strategic Projects (SIP) under the sub-programmes ‘Circular Economy and Quality of Life’ and ‘Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation’, and Strategic Nature Conservation Projects (SNaP) under the sub-programme ‘Nature and Biodiversity’. Budget: €158 million;
• Technical assistance projects for the preparation of SNaPs and SIPs: project proposals aimed at supporting the applicant in preparing a high-quality SNaP/SIP proposal. Budget: €1 million;
• Call for proposals for projects addressing ad hoc policy and legislative priorities: funds projects on topics identified in consultation with Member States. Budget: €21.8 million;

• Technical assistance projects – Scaling up: this call supports technical assistance projects to prepare and/or facilitate the scaling up and replication of the results of other projects funded by the LIFE Programme, previous programmes or other EU funding programmes. Budget: €6.5 million

  The deadline for submitting project proposals is 23 September 2025, with the exception of Integrated Strategic Projects (SIP) and Strategic Nature Conservation Projects (SNaP), for which the deadline for submitting the concept note is 4 September.

  For further information on the open calls and the programme, please visit the official website.

  In addition, the Info Days organised by CINEA and the LIFE programme will take place online from 13 to 15 May 2025. To take part, you must register via this link. Further information is available on the event’s official page.

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• Horizon Europe Week 2025

  Horizon Europe Week 2025, organised by APRE in agreement with the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), will take place online from 26 to 30 May 2025. The event will present the funding opportunities available under the 2025 calls, with a strong focus on practical guidance to support the participation of researchers and innovators.

  The five-day programme will feature sessions on Health (Cluster 1); Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society (Cluster 2); Civil Security for Society (Cluster 3); Digital, Industry and Space (Cluster 4); Climate, Energy and Mobility (Cluster 5); Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6); Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA); Research Infrastructures (RI); Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA); and the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

  The information sessions will include in-depth discussions, Q&A sessions and opportunities to interact on the themes and newly opened calls of the Framework Programme.

  Participation is free and open to everyone, subject to registration by 25 May at 13:00 CET, using the registration form.

  The detailed agenda is available on the event webpage.

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• Horizon Europe Work Programmes 2025 published

  All 2025 Work Programmes for Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, have now been officially published.

  The Work Programmes are the key documents for exploring funding opportunities under Horizon Europe. Each sets out the calls for proposals planned for 2025, specifying their expected outcomes, available budgets, deadlines and participation requirements.

  The Work Programmes are freely available on the European Commission’s official webpage. University of Parma academic, technical and administrative staff can also access them through the European and international research section of the Elly Proform platform, available here.

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• MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 call

  The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks 2025 call opened on 28 May 2025, with a total budget of €597.8 million and a submission deadline of 25 November 2025.

  MSCA Doctoral Networks is an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral initiative within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, designed to implement doctoral programmes through partnerships between organisations from different sectors.

  Its objectives are to:

• Train highly skilled doctoral candidates;
• Foster their creativity and strengthen their innovation skills and resilience;
• Enhance their long-term career prospects;
• Turn knowledge and ideas into products and services that deliver economic and social benefits.

• Further information is available on the dedicated webpage.

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• MSCA@UNIPR BOOTCAMP 2025: the third edition has concluded!

  The third edition of MSCA@UNIPR BOOTCAMP 2025 was a success. This intensive, high-quality workshop, organised by the European and International Research Support Unit, provided the 14 selected participants with the tools needed to prepare excellent and innovative proposals for the forthcoming MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call.

  We would like to thank all participants, supervisors and organising staff for making this third edition a success. The workshop offered a valuable opportunity for training and exchange, helping to advance research and strengthen the University of Parma’s international outlook.

  We look forward to welcoming the next generation of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows to UNIPR!

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• National Info Day on the ERC Work Programme 2026

  The national Info Day launching the European Research Council (ERC) Work Programme 2026 will take place online on Wednesday 2 July, from 09:30 to 11:30. The event is organised by APRE, the National Contact Point, in agreement with MUR.

  Speakers will include Angela Liberatore, Head of the Scientific Department at the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA), and Giovanni Sartor, a member of the ERC Scientific Council. Together with national and European experts, they will present the changes introduced in the new ERC Work Programme for the 2026 calls.

  The event is open to all interested participants, subject to registration by Tuesday 1 July at 13:00.

  Further information, including the detailed programme, is available on the official event webpage.

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• New CERIC call for proposals now open

  The Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC) has opened a new call for proposals, inviting researchers worldwide to apply for access to more than 60 instruments and two support laboratories for research in materials, biomaterials and nanotechnology. CERIC also provides mobility support for two participants per proposal.

  The first deadline is 1 September 2025 at 17:00 CEST. Applicants submitting by this date will receive a preliminary assessment and have the opportunity to improve their proposals before the second deadline, based on the feedback received. The second deadline is 1 October 2025 at 17:00 CEST and is recommended for applicants experienced in all the techniques requested.

  Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Further information is available on the dedicated webpage.

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• Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships

  On Tuesday 23 September, APRE, in agreement with MUR, will hold the online event “Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships | 2025 calls under the co-funded partnerships in Clusters 5 and 6”.

  National thematic experts will introduce the forthcoming calls under the co-funded partnerships in Cluster 5, “Climate, Energy and Mobility”, and Cluster 6, “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”:

• Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future (DUT);
• Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP);

• Water Security for the Planet (Water4All).

  Participation is free, subject to registration by Monday 22 September at 13:00.

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• Stanisław Lem European Research Prize – 2025 edition

  The Lem Prize was established to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Polish science fiction writer Stanisław Lem. It is awarded annually to an early-career researcher whose work in science or engineering has the potential to positively influence the future of society.

  The prize is open to researchers born in 1985 or later who are affiliated with an academic or research institution in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe, regardless of nationality. It recognises a recent discovery or significant achievement in science or engineering made in 2022 or later.

  The winner will receive PLN 100,000, approximately €23,000, and will be invited to Wrocław to deliver a lecture on their discovery or achievement.

  Applications, including the required documentation, must be sent to lemprize@pwr.edu.pl by 30 September 2025. Detailed information is available on the official prize website.

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• ERC@UNIPR 2025

  ERC@UNIPR 2025 will take place on Tuesday 21 October 2025, from 09:00 to 16:30. The event is organised by the European and International Research Support Unit in collaboration with the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE).

  The event will introduce the European Research Council (ERC) funding programme and explore the different stages of an ERC project, from proposal preparation to securing funding. Speakers will include Dr Serena Borgna from APRE; Professor Francesco Pasqualini, Deputy Director of ERC in Italy and an academic at the University of Pavia; and Professor Michele Miragoli, an ERC remote referee and an academic at the University of Parma. The event will conclude with a roundtable featuring University of Parma ERC grant holders, who will share their experiences.

  The event will be held in person at the Centro S. Elisabetta on the University of Parma campus. Places are limited due to room capacity. To attend, please complete the registration form by 14 October.

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• Consultation on the PRIMA 2 programme

  The consultation on the launch of the second phase of the European Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA 2) is now open. It aims to define the vision, priorities, objectives and expected outcomes of the future partnership.

  The consultation will remain open until 31 October 2025. Participants are invited to complete a questionnaire, taking approximately 25 minutes, on the dedicated platform.

  An official document outlining the conceptual framework for the PRIMA Partnership as it moves towards its second phase is available. A guidance note to help respondents complete the questionnaire can also be downloaded from the consultation platform.

  Further information is available here.

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• EIC Work Programme 2026 – Info Day

  The EIC Work Programme 2026 Info Day will be livestreamed on Thursday 13 November, from 09:30 to 16:45 CET. The event will present the new work programme covering the three main funding schemes of the European Innovation Council (EIC):

• EIC Pathfinder: 10:00–11:15;
• EIC Transition: 11:15–12:15;

• EIC Accelerator: 13:00–14:45.

  The event will feature leading speakers from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.

  The full agenda, livestream link and Slido link are available on the event webpage. Questions can already be submitted through Slido.

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• Horizon Europe – MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 Info Day – 24 June 2025

  The European Research Executive Agency (REA) is organising an information day for prospective applicants to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2025 call. The event will take place online on Tuesday 24 June 2025, starting at 09:30.

  MSCA Doctoral Networks is an international and interdisciplinary initiative within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, designed to train early-career researchers who do not yet hold a doctoral degree. MSCA Doctoral Networks can take three forms: Standard Doctoral Networks (DNs), Joint Doctorates (JDs) and Industrial Doctorates (IDs).

  The event will provide a detailed overview of the main features of MSCA Doctoral Networks and explain how to apply for the forthcoming call, which closes on 25 November 2025.

  The full agenda is available on the event webpage.

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• PRIMA 2025 calls now open

  On 7 April, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) opened applications for its 2025 calls.

  The 2025 Section 1 calls cover the following thematic areas:

• Water Management in the Nexus 2025 – Upscaling Nature Based Solutions for sustainable water management to address extreme events in the Mediterranean: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €2.7 million.
• Farming Systems in the Nexus 2025 – Enhancement of Sustainable Farming Systems within Mediterranean Wetlands for Conservation and Coexistence: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €2.7 million.

• Food Value Chain in the Nexus 2025 – Transforming Mediterranean Food Systems: Empowering Consumers for Sustainable Diets: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €2.7 million.

  All three calls fund Innovation Actions (IAs), which directly aim to develop plans or arrangements for new, modified or improved products, processes or services.

  Consortia must comprise at least three legal entities established in three different PRIMA Participating States. At least one entity must be established in an EU Member State or a third country associated with Horizon 2020, and at least one must be established in a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC). All three legal entities must be independent of one another. Additional requirements concerning consortium composition are set out in the Annual Work Programme and in each individual call.

  The deadline for submitting proposals is 15 July 2025 at 17:00 CET.

  Further information on the calls and the programme is available on the official website.

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• Training webinar: “Stakeholder Management in Horizon Europe Proposal Development”

  On Monday 14 July 2025, from 10:00 to 12:30, the University of Bologna, in collaboration with APRE, will hold a webinar entitled “Stakeholder Management in Horizon Europe Proposal Development”. The event is aimed at researchers and technical and administrative staff from institutions belonging to the Tavolo Europa network.

  The webinar will provide an overview of the topic, examples of good practice presented by the trainer, Dr Riccardo Coletta, and an extended Q&A session. Participants are expected to have a sound basic understanding of proposal development under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.

  Staff from Tavolo Europa member institutions, including the University of Parma, can attend by completing the registration form.

  The webinar access link will be sent to registered participants before the event.

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• LIFE Info Days Italy 2025

  LIFE Info Days Italy 2025 will take place online on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June, from 09:30 to 13:00. The event is organised by the Italian LIFE National Contact Point (LIFE NCP IT) at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE).

  The two-day event will provide a comprehensive update on the 2025 calls under the four LIFE sub-programmes for 2021–2027:

• Nature and Biodiversity (LIFE NAT);
• Circular Economy and Quality of Life (LIFE ENV);
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (LIFE CLIMA);

• Clean Energy Transition (LIFE CET).

  The event will also offer an opportunity to:

• Explore the proposal submission, evaluation and selection processes, as well as LIFE’s financial aspects;
• Receive practical advice on preparing a successful LIFE application;
• Learn key facts and figures about LIFE implementation in Italy and discover the support available to Italian applicants and beneficiaries;

• Hear first-hand from an Italian project that won the prestigious LIFE Award in the Climate category.

  The National LIFE Info Days 2025 are aimed at Italian LIFE applicants and prospective applicants, including public and private bodies, NGOs and civil society organisations. Participation is subject to registration.

  Further information, including the full agenda, is available on the event webpage.

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• Training webinar: “Horizon Europe – Overview and Opportunities in Open and Forthcoming Calls”

  On Wednesday 11 June 2025, from 10:00 to 13:00, the University of Ferrara, in collaboration with APRE, will hold a webinar entitled “Horizon Europe – Overview and Opportunities in Open and Forthcoming Calls”. The event is aimed at researchers and technical and administrative staff from institutions belonging to the Tavolo Europa network.

  The training session will provide an overview of the key aspects of Horizon Europe’s pillars, helping participants broaden their knowledge and strengthen their proposal development skills.

  In particular, Dr Serena Borgna from APRE will discuss European research priorities for the final three years of Horizon Europe, as set out in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027; the structure of Horizon Europe; European Partnerships and Missions; and Pillar II funding opportunities for 2025–2027.

  Staff from Tavolo Europa member institutions, including the University of Parma, can attend by completing the registration form.

  The webinar access link will be sent to registered participants on Tuesday 10 June.

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• APRE event: “Italy in Horizon Europe: Performance and Prospects”

  On 10 April 2025, from 11:30 to 13:00, the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE) will hold the online event “Italy in Horizon Europe: Performance and Prospects”, presenting its report on Italian participation in Horizon Europe, updated to 2024.

  The event will introduce the report prepared by APRE, explain the variables analysed and discuss the figures relating to Italy’s performance.

  To attend, please complete the registration form by Wednesday 9 April.

  Further information is available on the event webpage.

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• ERC Consolidator Grant 2025 call

  The ERC Consolidator Grant 2025 call will open on 26 September. This funding scheme supports excellent researchers at a stage in their careers when they wish to consolidate their research team or strengthen their scientific independence.

  Key information about the call:

• Researchers of any nationality may apply, provided they have demonstrated scientific maturity and have between 7 and 12 years of experience since completing their PhD.
• Applicants must demonstrate the feasibility, innovative nature and ambition of their proposed research.
• The call has no predefined thematic priorities and follows a bottom-up approach.
• Applicants must submit their proposal together with a host institution, either a university or research centre located in the EU or a country associated with the programme, which will manage the funding throughout the project.

• Each Consolidator Grant provides up to €2 million over five years, reduced proportionately for shorter projects. Funding covers up to 100% of eligible direct costs, plus a contribution towards indirect costs calculated at 25% of eligible costs.

  The application deadline is 14 January 2025.

  Further information is available on the dedicated webpage.

• MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 Info Day – 15 November 2024

  The European Research Executive Agency (REA) is organising an information day for prospective applicants to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges 2024 call. The event will take place online on 15 November 2024, from 10:00 to 12:30.

  MSCA Staff Exchanges is an international and interdisciplinary initiative within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. It promotes cooperation and exchanges between academic and industrial organisations through research projects involving the mobility of researchers and academic staff.

  The event will provide a detailed overview of the main features of MSCA Staff Exchanges and explain how to apply for the forthcoming call, which closes on 5 February 2025.

  To help make the event as useful as possible, participants are invited to complete a survey and submit questions in advance or during the livestream through Slido.

  The webinar will be followed in the afternoon by the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 Call Brokerage event, offering an opportunity to explore collaborations and build consortia for proposals under the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 call.

  The full programme and further details are available here.

  Registration is required through the event webpage.

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• Horizon Europe workshop series

  The European and International Research Support Unit has organised four workshops for 2024 on proposal writing, helping academic, research, technical and administrative staff develop the skills needed to participate in Horizon Europe, particularly in Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs).

  Why attend?

• Strengthen your knowledge and skills in writing RIA and IA proposals;
• Analyse Evaluation Summary Reports;
• Explore examples, practical advice and proposal templates;

• Take part in practical, interactive writing sessions.

  The workshop schedule and topics are as follows:

• 25 March 2024 – Excellence: objectives, methodology, state of the art, open science, gender dimension and research data management.
• 1 July 2024 – Impact: expected outcomes and impacts, barriers and mitigation measures; communication, dissemination and exploitation activities to maximise impact.
• 9 December 2024 – Quality and efficiency of the implementation: work plan, deliverables, milestones, risks and budget.
• 17 December 2024 – Preparing the budget for a Horizon Europe RIA or IA proposal.

• The workshops are designed for participants with prior knowledge of Horizon Europe.

  Individual agendas will be announced separately.

  The series will begin on 25 March 2024, from 14:00 to 17:00, at the Santa Elisabetta Conference Centre on campus, with a session focusing on the “Excellence” section of the Horizon Europe application form.

  Each workshop will include a theoretical session analysing the proposal template, followed by a practical session to develop participants’ writing skills.

  The detailed workshop programmes will be updated closer to each event and made available at the bottom of this page.

  How to participate

  Participation is limited to 30 people with previous experience in European proposal development who intend to apply to forthcoming Horizon Europe calls.

  Registration is mandatory through a participation form that will be circulated by email by the European and International Research Support Unit.

  Registration for the third and fourth workshops is available through this form.

  Once the maximum of 30 registrations has been reached, further applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

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• APRE Annual Conference – Towards a New Future

  APRE, the Agency for the Promotion of European Research, is organising the seventh edition of the APRE Annual Conference 2024. This annual event brings together Italy’s research and innovation community for learning, discussion and exchange on topics related to Horizon Europe.

  The public sessions will take place online on 17 and 18 October, focusing primarily on the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, FP10.

  The two-day programme will feature sessions in different formats to discuss the future of research and innovation in Europe and explore key issues within Horizon Europe. Speakers will include experts representing European and Italian institutions.

  The full conference programme and further information are available on the conference website.

  The sessions on 17 and 18 October are open to anyone interested in research and innovation. Participation is free, subject to registration through the dedicated form, where participants can select one or all of the scheduled sessions.

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• Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships: 2024 calls under the co-funded partnerships in Clusters 5 and 6

  On 11 September, from 10:00 to 16:00, APRE, in agreement with MUR, will hold the online event “Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships”.

  The event will focus on the 2024 calls under the co-funded partnerships in:

• Cluster 5: Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership) and Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future (DUT);

• Cluster 6: Biodiversa+ and Water4All – Water Security for the Planet.

  The event will introduce and discuss the 2024 calls through two information sessions: a morning session dedicated to Cluster 5 and an afternoon session dedicated to Cluster 6.

  Further information and the full agenda are available here.

  The Info Day is open to anyone interested in these new calls. Participation is free, subject to registration by 6 September. Participants can choose to attend one or both sessions.

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• COST – Open Call 2024

  The new 2024 call for COST Actions is now open.

  A COST Action is an interdisciplinary research network that brings together researchers and innovators to investigate a topic of their choice over a four-year period. These Actions are open to all fields of science and technology, including new and emerging areas.

  COST Action proposals must contribute to the advancement and development of scientific, technological, economic, cultural or social knowledge in Europe. Multidisciplinary proposals are therefore encouraged.

  The Actions follow a bottom-up approach and may address any topic. However, proposals must meet specific criteria, including the participation of researchers from at least seven COST Member Countries, at least half of which must be Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs).

  Further guidance on submitting a proposal is available on the dedicated webpage.

  The submission deadline is 23 October at 12:00 CEST.

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• PRIMA 2024 Calls Info Day

  An event presenting the PRIMA 2024 calls and the report on PRIMA projects funded in 2018–2022 will take place on 30 January, starting at 15:00, at Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Aula Giacomini, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5.

  The event is organised by the Ministry of Universities and Research together with the Italian PRIMA Secretariat, in collaboration with APRE. Remote participation will also be available through the Italian PRIMA Secretariat’s webpage.

  PRIMA aims to strengthen research and innovation capacities and develop shared innovative solutions for water provision and food systems in the Mediterranean region, making them more resilient, efficient and sustainable. The programme covers three thematic areas: water management, farming systems and the agri-food value chain. These are complemented by actions addressing the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus.

  Following the opening remarks, the event will comprise two sessions: one presenting the report and the other focusing on the themes of the 2024 calls, which will officially open on Thursday 25 January.

  The event is open to all interested participants, subject to registration.

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• Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking: Work Programme 2024

  The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published its Annual Work Programme 2024, including information on its forthcoming call for project proposals.

  In 2024, CBE JU will continue to support the scale-up of technologies towards industrial deployment, stimulating investment and job creation in line with the partnership’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2030. It aims to involve a broader range of stakeholders, including the primary sector, regional authorities and investors, to support the deployment of bio-based solutions.

  CBE JU will launch a call covering 18 topics, with an indicative total budget of €213 million, funding four types of action:

• Innovation Actions – Flagship (IA-flagship);
• Innovation Actions (IA);
• Research and Innovation Actions (RIA);

• Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

  The call will open on 24 April 2024 and close on 18 September 2024. Detailed information on the topics is available on the CBE JU webpage.

  The CBE JU Info Day 2024 will take place on 23 April 2024, in person in Brussels and via livestream. The event will provide information on the forthcoming 2024 call and opportunities to expand participants’ professional networks.

  ___________________________

• Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships: Innovative Health Initiative 2024 calls, Cluster 1 | New calls 6 and 7

  APRE, in agreement with MUR and in collaboration with Farmindustria, Confindustria Dispositivi Medici and Assobiotec, is organising the “Horizon Europe Info Day – European Partnerships: Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) 2024 calls, Cluster 1 | New calls 6 and 7”.

  The event will take place in person in Milan, at the Rita Levi Montalcini Auditorium, on 26 February 2024.

  It will open with an overview of participation in the partnership’s first calls, followed by an extensive information session on the IHI calls.

  The aim is to raise awareness among companies, hospitals and research centres of the valuable opportunities offered by IHI funding, particularly by facilitating networking for participation in calls 6 and 7.

  The programme will also feature testimonials from participants in funded IHI projects and a pitching session for representatives from research and industry.

  The event will conclude with a networking reception.

  The programme is available here.

  Those interested in presenting a project idea for the IHI calls during the pitching session should use the PowerPoint template and send it to cluster1@apre.it by 19 February. The organisers will contact applicants about possible inclusion in the programme. Each pitch may last up to five minutes.

  The event is open to all interested participants, subject to registration.

  _______________________

• PRIMA 2024 calls now open

  On 25 January, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) launched its Annual Work Programme (AWP) and its new 2024 calls.

  The Section 1 calls, grouped by thematic area, are:

• Water Management in the Nexus 2024 – Sustainability of Mediterranean irrigated agriculture through the implementation of the WEFE Nexus approach: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €4.6 million.
• Farming Systems in the Nexus 2024 – Transformative Adaptation of Mediterranean dry farming systems using water harvesting techniques to address extreme drought in arid and semi-arid environments: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €4.8 million.

• Food Value-chain in the Nexus 2024 – Developing cost-effective and sustainable technologies adapted to Mediterranean Food Systems to decrease food loss and waste: proposals are expected to have an indicative duration of 36 months and a budget of approximately €4.55 million.

  All three calls fund Innovation Actions (IAs), which directly aim to develop plans or arrangements for new, modified or improved products, processes or services.

  Consortia must comprise at least three legal entities established in three different PRIMA Participating States. At least one entity must be established in an EU Member State or a third country associated with Horizon 2020, and at least one must be established in a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC). All three legal entities must be independent of one another. Additional requirements concerning consortium composition are set out in the Annual Work Programme and in each individual call.

  Applications follow a two-stage procedure. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 2 April 2024 at 17:00 CET. Applicants invited to the second stage must submit their full proposals by 25 September 2024 at 17:00 CET.

  Further information on the calls and the programme is available on the official website.

  ____________________________

• ERC information event: objectives, funding schemes, the proposal template and practical advice on proposal writing

  An information event entitled “European Research Council: Objectives, Funding Schemes, the Proposal Template and Practical Advice on Proposal Writing”, organised in collaboration with APRE, will take place on 17 April, from 09:30 to 13:30, at the Department of Economics and Management, Main Building, Room M, Via J. F. Kennedy 6, 43125 Parma.

  The event will be led by Dr Serena Borgna, an APRE trainer with extensive teaching experience on the structure of Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 and on preparing European project proposals under Cluster 6 and the ERC.

  The session will explain the Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grant schemes, eligibility rules and the proposal template, and provide advice on writing an ERC proposal. It will also introduce changes to the assessment of the Principal Investigator’s profile already included in the ERC Work Programme 2024.

  The event is designed for researchers and academic staff interested in submitting a proposal to the ERC.

  Further information and the full agenda are available in the attached file.

  To attend, participants must complete the registration form.

  The room can accommodate approximately 80 people, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  For further information, please contact the European and International Research Support Unit at ricerca.internazionale@unipr.it.

  ______________________

• EU LIFE Info Days – 23–26 April 2024

  Environment, climate, energy transition and the circular economy are the main themes of the LIFE Programme. The following information sessions will present the newly opened calls:

• 23 April: general aspects of the calls, including submission and evaluation procedures and financial matters. Session recordings are already available here.
• 24 April: three sessions dedicated to the Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programmes.
• 25 April: a full day dedicated to the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme, beginning with a joint session for all participants, followed by parallel sessions on the topics covered by the 2024 call.

• 26 April: a session presenting Operating Grants for NGOs working in the environmental field.

  The event webpage provides the detailed programme and allows participants to register a profile, attend live sessions, watch recordings and request virtual one-to-one meetings with other prospective applicants.

  The Italian Info Day will take place on 28 May. Further details will be published shortly on the MASE website.

  _________________________

• Vacancies for two Level II Technologists

  The University of Parma has published a call for two Level II Technologist positions within the European and International Research Support Unit.

  The successful candidates will support the University’s researchers in identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposals and managing research projects, primarily under the MSCA and ERC schemes.

  Applicants must have at least two years of previous experience in research management or research.

  The positions offer full-time, fixed-term contracts lasting 18 months.

  The application deadline is 26 September.

  Further information is available in the call document and on the dedicated webpage.

• National Info Days – Horizon Europe Week 2024

APRE, in collaboration with the MUR, has organised Horizon Europe Week, which will take place online from 23 to 27 October 2023.

The various sessions will be dedicated toproviding an in-depth look, from a practical and operational perspective, at the funding opportunities available to Italian researchers and innovators for the coming year, within the Horizon Europe framework programme.

The aim is to increase the chances of success when applying for the 2024 calls.

During the sessions dedicated to individual Clusters, the new calls for proposals under the European Partnerships will also be discussed, whilst a specific session will be dedicated to the Institutionalised Partnership Innovative Health Initiative (IHI).

You can view the programme for the entire week here.

Participation in the events is free of charge, subject to registration at this link.

In addition, the agendas for the latest Info Days organised by the European Commission, scheduled for October and November, are available:

• Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space: 11–12 October online
• Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility: 17 October online
• Cluster 2 – Culture, creativity & inclusive society: 18 October online + 19 October Brokerage Event online
• WIDERA: 9 November in Brussels (link)

These events offer applicants a unique opportunity to obtain up-to-date information, discuss new project ideas and achievements, facilitate the formation of partnerships, and strengthen and expand their international and cross-sectoral networks.

 _________

• ERC Consolidator Grant 2024 

The new call ERC Consolidator Grant 2024 (ERC-2024-COG), which aims to support outstanding researchers at the stage of their career where they are consolidating their own independent research group or programme.

The deadline for submitting applications is 12 December 2023 at 17:00 CET.

Below is some of the key information regarding the call:

• The call is open to individual researchers of any nationality who have successfully defended their PhD dissertation between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016 (inclusive). Furthermore, the Principal Investigator (PI) must have already demonstrated independence in their research.
• Projects may have a maximum duration of 5 years and may be in any field of research (bottom-up approach).
• The research must be carried out at a public or private research organization located in one of the EU Member States or associated countries.
• The maximum grant is EUR 2 000 000 over 5 years. The amount is reduced pro rata temporis for projects of shorter duration. The grant covers 100 per cent of the total eligible direct costs of the research, plus a contribution of 25 per cent of the total eligible costs for indirect costs.

For detailed information, please refer to the ERC Work Programme 2024. Furthermore, the call is available via the programme’s dedicated page or on the portal Funding and Tenders from which you can access the Submission System and all official documents.

 ________

• ERC Starting Grant 2024

The new call ERC Starting Grant 2024 (ERC-2024-STG) is now officially open, which aims to support outstanding researchers at the stage of their career when they are establishing an independent research group or programme.

The deadline for submitting applications is 24 October 2023 at 17:00 CET.

Below is some of the key information regarding the call:

• The call is open to individual researchers of any nationality who successfully defended their PhD dissertation between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive). Furthermore, a competitive Principal Investigator (PI) must demonstrate that they already possess the potential for independence in research.
• Projects may have a maximum duration of 5 years and may fall within any field of research (bottom-up approach).
• The research must be carried out at a public or private research organization located in one of the Member States of theEU or associated countries.
• The maximum grant is EUR 1,500,000 over 5 years. The amount is reduced pro rata temporis for projects of shorter duration. The grant covers 100 per cent of the total eligible direct research costs, plus a contribution of 25 per cent of the total eligible costs for indirect costs.

For detailed information, please refer to the ERC Work Programme 2024. Furthermore, the call is available via the programme’s dedicated page or on the portal Funding and Tenders from which you can access the Submission System and all official documents.

 _________

• Publication of the ERC 2024 Work Programme

The new ERC 2024 Work Programme has been officially published, introducing new elements in the assessment of research proposals and researchers’ CVs, as well as in the evaluation process itself.<

The Work Programme is the legal document setting out how the ERC will allocate its funding for the relevant year; it is drawn up by the ERC Scientific Council and subsequently adopted by the European Commission.

The main changes in the ERC 2024 Work Programme concern the following aspects:

• Research assessment: Changes have been made to the structure of the Curriculum Vitae and Track Record, as well as to the evaluation procedure, to place greater emphasis on the quality of the project.
• Lump sums: only the ERC Advanced Grants calls will be used as pilot calls to test the lump-sum funding scheme.
• Proof of Concept Grants: from 2024, applications for these grants will be evaluated and selected in two rounds rather than three, based on two cut-off dates.
• Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants: a maximum of 44 proposals per panel will proceed to step 2 of the evaluation. Furthermore, when awarding scores in step 1, a distinction will be made between proposals that receive an A score and are invited to step 2 of the evaluation, and proposals that receive an A but do not rank highly enough to be invited to step 2 (score A not invited). These latter proposals will not be subject to any restrictions on resubmission.
• A new evaluation panel (SH8) has been created within the SSH sector to restore the balance between coverage of the social sciences and the humanities. Furthermore, certain descriptors (LS3, LS5) have been amended to clarify the disciplinary scope for applicants.
• Public Engagement with Research Award: beneficiaries of ongoing or recently completed ERC projects will be eligible to apply for the Public Engagement with Research Award.

The ERC 2024 Work Programme is freely available on the website of the European Research Council and on the Funding&Tenders Opportunities portal.

 _________

• Horizon Europe – New Annotated Grant Agreement (AGA)

The new Annotated Grant Agreement (AGA) relating to the European funding programmes for 2021–2027.

The Annotated Grant Agreement is a user guide designed to explain to applicants and beneficiaries the content of the Grant Agreements – GA) for the 2021–2027 EU funding programmes.

The purpose of this document is to provide users with the tools to understand and interpret their Grant Agreements (GA), whilst avoiding technical terminology, legal references and jargon, and seeking to help readers find answers to the practical questions they may encounter whilst setting up or implementing their projects. The AGA explains each article of the MGA and includes examples where appropriate.

The Annotated Grant Agreement is freely available on the website of the European Commission and on the Elly Proform platform – accessible here.

 _________

• Conference – BRIC Neuroscience and Safety – 26 September 2023

INAIL Dit has organised for 26 September from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm at theauditorium of the INAIL General Directorate in Rome aconference entitled: “Prevention and protection of health and the environment in laboratories using advanced and innovative biotechnological methods”, during which the final results of the collaborative research project (BRIC ID 54) funded by INAIL.

The project, entitled “Innovative approaches to biosafety for the protection of human health and the environment”, had as its main objective the training and raising of awareness amongst users of biotechnological techniques in order to ensure compliance with Legislative Decree 206/2001, fostering a culture of safety through innovative methods. The event aims to present the final results of the project, including the creation of a platform for professionals in the biotechnology sector where they can access information and training on legislation and best practices for the management and use of biotechnology, and to set out the basis for theadoption of more effective methods for safety training in biotechnology laboratories.

Participation is open to all and free of charge, subject to registration on the dedicated page.

 ________

• Sony Research Award Programme 2023

Applications are now open for the Sony Research Award 2023, promoted by the Sony Group as one of the world’s most innovative and recognisable brands in the technology sector.

The Sony Research Award Programme is a research funding scheme for projects relating to emerging and innovative technologies, carried out in collaboration with research groups within the Sony Group. Through this programme, Sony is committed to supporting university research and innovation in the United States, Canada, India and certain European countries, including Italy, whilst fostering partnerships with university professors and researchers.

The Sony Research Award Programme comprises two awards designed to create new opportunities for academics to engage in cutting-edge research aimed at introducing revolutionary technologies:

• Faculty Innovation Award: up to 100,000 USD to principal investigators for one-year research projects that may fall into three broad thematic categories (Information Technology, Devices & Materials, and Biomedical & Life Sciences) relevant to Sony’s current research interests.
• Focused Research Award: a collaborative research programme providing funding of up to 150,000 USD for one year  (renewable for subsequent years) to conduct research into one of 12 specific themes within Sony’s direct areas of interest.

The call for proposals is open from 15 July 2023 to 15 September 2023.

All necessary information, as well as the programme guidelines, is available at following link.

If you have any questions regarding the programme, you can contact the funding body by completing the following form. 

 ________

• Training and information events on HE / June–September 2023

Listed below are the upcoming training and information events on HE organised by UNIPR and other members of the ART-Emilia Romagna European Roundtable, which all UNIPR staff are welcome to attend.

The training is intended solely for staff of organisations participating in the “Emilia-Romagna Europe Roundtable”, including the University of Parma. To register and access the events, please contact the European and International Research Support Unit (ricerca.internazionale@unipr.it)

1. European Research Council: how to write a successful proposal @UNIPR – 4 July 2023, 10:00–12:00.

The aim of the course is to present the characteristics of the ERC programme and the key elements for a successful proposal across the different types of action: Starting Grant, Consolidator Grant, Advanced Grant and Synergy Grant.

The course will be held in English.

2. Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation Plan in Horizon Europe @UNIFE – 5 July 2023, 9.30 am – 11.30 am.

The course consists of an introduction to the theoretical models that form the basis for the development of the Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation Plan (CDEP) in Horizon Europe. The definition of the CDEP begins at the proposal stage and continues until it becomes a reference document during the implementation phase. The course starts with the requirements of the application form to explain how to maximise the impact of research results, providing suggestions on resources and possible activities throughout the LIFE CYCLE of a European project.

The course will be held in Italian.

3. Evaluation procedure in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions @UNIBO – 6 July 2023, 9.45 am– 1.00 pm

The training aims to provide useful tips and recommendations on how to write a competitive proposal, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE REQUIREMENTS of the evaluators. THE COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR those who are already familiar with the MSCA schemes (future applicants and those who support them).

The course will be delivered in English.

4. How to approach criterion 3 of theImplementation @UNIFE – 12 September 2023, 10:00–12:00

The webinar focuses on how to address the various aspects RELATED TO THE DEFINITION OF THE  3rd criterion (Implementation) in Horizon Europe R&I projects, with reference to the quality and efficiency of the implementation, the consortium and other participants.

The course will be held in Italian.

 ________

• MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023

The new call for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01), which aims to support innovative and high-quality research, as well as the career development of researchers holding a doctoral degree, through cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary projects involving international mobility.

There are two types of research fellowship: European and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships.

The deadline for applications is 13 September 2023 at 17:00 CET.

Below is some key information regarding the call:

• The call is open to post-doctoral researchers (who have already obtained their qualification or will do so by the call deadline) with a maximum of 8 years’ research experience from the date of obtaining their qualification, who comply with the mobility rule and, for Global PFs, the nationality requirements (nationals or long-term residents of Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries).
• European Postdoctoral Fellowships last for 12 or 24 months. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships last for 24 or 36 months.
• The grant provides for 100 per cent reimbursement of unit costs (Researcher Unit Costs + Institutional Unit Costs) at rates set by the European Commission.

For detailed information, please refer to MSCA Work Programme 23-24, in particular page 23 for the call and page 89 for its specific conditions. Furthermore, the call is also available via the dedicated page on the portal Funding and Tenders from which you can access the Submission System and all official documents.

 ________

• MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 – Call Information event

The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 call will open on 30 May and close on 28 November 2023 at 5.00 pm.

The European Commission has organised an 14 June at 9.30 am an online event entitled: "MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 – Call Information event".

The information event aims to present the new 2023 call to all potential applicants and stakeholders and to inform them about the key changes for 2023 as well as to promote Joint Doctorates (JDs) and Industrial Doctorates (IDs). Doctoral networks are a key component of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, and partnerships between organizations from different sectors (in Europe and beyond) submit proposals to run doctoral programmes designed to train highly qualified doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation skills and boost their long-term employability. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions via Slido, both before the event (from 1 June 2023) and during the dedicated session at the end of the event.

Participation is free and open to anyone&

interested, subject to registration on the dedicated page.

The event agenda can be downloaded from the same link.

 ________

• MSCA Doctoral Networks – Key aspects of a project proposal

On 13 March 2023 from 9.00 am to 1.00 at the Santa Elisabetta Centre on the university campus, an event will be held to present the key requirements for submitting a project proposal under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks(MSCA-DN) programme. 

The Doctoral Networks are open to the formation of international consortia comprising universities, research institutes, enterprises, SMEs and other non-academic organizations, and must meet the following requirements:

1. at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or in a country associated with Horizon Europe, with at least one of them established in an EU Member State;
2. in addition to this minimum, other organizations from any country in the world may also join;
3. specific conditions apply to “Industrial and Joint Doctorates”".

The information session is aimed at all University staff involved in drafting and preparing MSCA-DN project proposals.

It will only be possible to attend the event in person, and given that the maximum capacity of the lecture theatre is 50 people, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (first come, first served).

To reserve a place, please complete the registration form

Download the event programme for full details

 ________

• Human Frontier Science Programme – Research Grants

The Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) promotes international collaboration in innovative basic research focused on understanding fundamental biological problems. HFSP research grants emphasise new and interdisciplinary approaches even across national borders. This involves high-risk research, which must include strategies to mitigate such risks.

The HFSP offers two types of grant:

• Research grant – Early career in which all team members must lead a research group (however small) and must hold a PhD. Furthermore, they must be capable of initiating and leading their own independent lines of research.
• Research grant – Programme awarded to groups of independent researchers at any stage of their career who intend to develop new lines of research through collaboration.

Both types of grant provide three-year funding to research groups researchers comprising 2 to 4 members. Funding is provided in the form of fixed amounts which depend on the size of the group.

The grant covers costs specifically related to the project, including salaries or remuneration for research assistants (postdoctoral researchers, graduates, technicians) essential to the new collaborative project. However, the grant does not cover the salary costs of the Principal Applicant or the Co-Applicant.

To apply, a letter of intent must be submitted by 30 March 2023; an identification number for this letter must be requested by 21 March 2023. The Principal Applicant will be informed bybeginning of July as to whether the team will be invited to submit a full proposal.

For further information regarding the criteria for the composition of the consortium, eligibility criteria and the process for submitting and selecting proposals, please refer to the call page.

 ________

• Call for Research-in-Residence Fellowships - University of Passau

The University of Passau (Germany) is offering the following funding opportunity: Research-in-Residence Fellowships at the Passau International Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Passau, Germany, in 2023 and 2024.

The programme invites talented young postdoctoral researchers and internationally established researchers who are engaged in research in the humanities, social sciences, economics, juridical sciences, Computer science and Mathematics and who wish to advance their excellent and innovative research ideas through interdisciplinary scientific activities under the supervision of a member of the University of Passau. Although applications are open to all fields of research, priority will be given to the University’s strategic themes:

• Europe and Global Transformation;
• Migration, Sustainable Development and Just Order;
• Digitalisation, Networked Society and (Internet) Cultures.

The programme’s main objectives are to create an open working environment, to support joint research projects, to improve early-career training and to promote interaction between fellowship holders and local researchers.

The mobility programme funds full-time research grants for short-term stays lasting from two to six months.

Further details on eligibility criteria, the selection procedure and funding are available on the dedicated webpage.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 March for the 2023 grants and 17 October for the 2024 scholarships. To apply, please send your application by email to: picais-office@uni-passau.de

 ________

• National Info Days – Horizon Europe Week 2023

APRE, in collaboration with the MUR, has organised the Horizon Europe Week, which will take place online from 23 to 27 January. The various sessions will be dedicated to exploring, from a more practical and operational perspective, the individual themes and funding opportunities available to Italian researchers and innovators throughout the coming year, based on the 2023–2024 Work Programmes, to increase the chances of success when applying for the 2023 calls. During the sessions dedicated to individual Clusters, there will also be discussions on the new EU Missions calls and European Partnerships, whilst a specific session will be dedicated to the Institutionalised Partnership Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) to present the first calls for proposals and all their specific features.

You can view the programme for the whole week here.

Participation in the events is free and open to all interested parties, subject to registration via this link link.

In addition, below is the agenda for the most recent Info Days and Brokerage Events organised by the European Commission, scheduled for January:

• EU Missions: 17 and 18 January online – Link to the event
• Cluster 2 – Culture, creativity & inclusive society: 17 January online – Link to the event
• Cluster 1 – Health: 19 January online – Link to the event

These events offer proposers a unique opportunity to obtain up-to-date information, discuss new project ideas and achievements, facilitate the formation of partnerships, and strengthen and expand their international and cross-sectoral networks.

 ________

• Publication of the 2023–2024 Work Programmes

All the Work Programmes for the 2023–2024 period relating to the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation have been officially published. The Work Programmes are the most important documents for discovering the funding opportunities offered by Horizon Europe. Each one sets out all the calls for proposals planned for the next two years, specifying their outcomes, the available budget, deadlines and how to apply. The Work Programmes are freely available at this section of the European Union’s Funding&Tenders portal and are also always available on the Elly Proform platform – accessible here.

Furthermore, of particular interest to the SSH disciplines, please note that the 2023–2024 Work Programmes for the CERV programmes and JUSTICE which provide applicants with detailed information on the policy areas the EU will be funding over the next two years. These are also available on the Funding&Tenders portal and on the Elly Proform platform.

 ________

• EU-FORA 2023–2024 Call (EUBA-EFSA-2022-ENREL-02) and the event “Funding opportunities in the EFSA 2023 Workplan”

On 8 November, EFSA published the new EU-FORA 2023–2024 call (EUBA-EFSA-2022-ENREL-02).

The aim is to strengthen food risk assessment capacity (including animal and plant health) and the knowledge community in Europe, by promoting and coordinating the development of harmonised methodologies in the areas falling within EFSA’s remit.

The EU-FORA programme will award a 12-month scholarship to professionals in the relevant sectors, whilst also strengthening cooperation between national food safety agencies and EFSA.

The deadline for applications is 15 March 2023 at 17:00 CET.

Below is some of the key information regarding the call:

• Project proposals must be submitted by a consortium of two organizations with hubs in two different EU countries, Norway orIceland. One of the organizations will act as the sending organization, nominating a fellow to be trained as part of a work programme offered by the other consortium partner, which will act as the hub organization and be responsible for the fellow’s training.
• The maximum duration of the project is 12 months from the date of the initial EU-FORA training, which usually takes place in the first week of September.
• EFSA’s contribution amounts to a maximum of €55,000 per scholarship to cover all costs incurred by both the sending and host organizations.

For detailed information and to view the relevant material, please refer to the EFSA website and the text of the call.

Furthermore, on 13 December from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm EFSA is organising an online event entitled: “Funding opportunities in the EFSA 2023 Workplan”.

The first part of the event will focus on administrative and financial aspects of partnership projects. The second part will provide an overview of the areas in which EFSA plans to launch calls for grants in 2023 and will explain the mechanism through which stakeholders can engage with EFSA.

Participation in the event is free of charge, subject to registration here by 4 December. The agenda and all detailed information about the event can be viewed via the same link.

________

• MSCA Staff Exchanges 2022 Call for Proposals

The new call MSCA Staff Exchanges 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01) is open. It aims to support joint research and innovation (R&I) projects through staff exchanges within partnerships between universities, research infrastructures, businesses and other socio-economic actors in Europe and beyond, thereby strengthening cross-sectoral and international collaboration.

The deadline for submitting applications is 8 March 2023 at 17:00 CET.

Below is some of the key information regarding the call:

• Applications must be submitted by a consortium comprising at least three independent legal entities from three different countries, two of which must have a hub in a different EU Member State or in a country associated with Horizon Europe.
• The maximum project duration is 48 months from the start date specified in the Grant Agreement.
• The total EU contribution for MSCA staff exchanges amounts to a maximum of 360 person-months per project.

For detailed information, please refer to MSCA Work Programme 21-22, in particular page 35 for the call and page 94 for its specific conditions. Furthermore, the call is also available via the portal Funding and Tenders.

 ________

• PRIMA 2023 calls for proposals information day

An online information event on the PRIMA 2023 calls for proposals is scheduled for 1 February at 11.30 am, organised by the Ministry of Universities and Research together with the Italian Secretariat of PRIMA and in collaboration with APRE.

The PRIMA programme aims to strengthen R&I capacities and develop joint innovative solutions in the water supply and food systems sectors in the Mediterranean region, improving their efficiency to make them more resilient, efficient and sustainable. There are three thematic areas: water supply; agricultural systems; and agri-food supply. In addition to these, there are actions focused on the WATER ENERGY FOOD ECOSYSTEMS (WEFE) NEXUS.

Following the publication of the preliminary version of the PRIMA Annual Work Plan 2023, experts in European project design will present the calls for proposals contained therein for the year 2023. Furthermore, they will explain the procedures and process for preparing project proposals under Section 2 (nationally funded).

The event is open to all interested parties, subject to registration here.

 ________

• NGI Enrichers – PAIRED TEAMS Call

As part of the European NGI Enrichers – Next Generation Internet Transatlantic Fellowship Programme, the first&“PAIRED TEAMS call” has been launched to support researchers and innovators—with backgrounds ranging from technical fields to the humanities, social sciences and multidisciplinary areas—who are working on the development of the Next Generation Internet and related technologies.

The first “PAIRED TEAMS call” will select up to 12 candidates to fund 3- to 6-month stays in the United States or Canada to foster long-term collaborations with host organizations on NGI-related technologies and services, whilst enhancing knowledge sharing. The funding is intended to cover travel and subsistence costs (3.800 EUR for each full month’s stay) and visa costs for visiting fellows from Europe, including both the successful applicants and their hosts. During their time abroad, those selected will take part in boot camps and coaching sessions with mentors, raise their profile, help build collaborations and much more!

The deadline for the call is 31 January 2023.

To apply for the Paired Teams call, you must identify a US or Canadian host organization willing to establish a research or innovation on topics related to NGIs, and subsequently submit a project proposal in accordance with the published guidelines here. All information is available here.

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• New European Bauhaus

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a creative and interdisciplinary initiative launched in January 2021 that aims to link the European Green Deal to everyday spaces and life experiences, with the aim of imagining and building a sustainable and inclusive future together. Seven Horizon Europe calls for proposals are dedicated to this initiative, whilst a further nineteen call for the creation of synergies with the communities established by the New European Bauhaus.

List of 2023–2024 NEB calls for proposals in Horizon Europe

To fully understand the rationale and mission of this initiative, APRE is organising an online information session on 19 January 2023 from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm for researchers from member institutions (including UNIPR) with the aim of providing attendees with valuable and useful information to enable them to respond effectively to the calls for proposals and incorporate the most appropriate measures into their project proposals. You can register for the event here link.

The speaker at the event will be Erminia Sciacchitano (Ministry of Culture – MIC), the New European Bauhaus National Contact Point for Italy and former Policy Officer for ‘Culture – Heritage, Economy of Culture’ at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture, who will discuss the New European Bauhaus drawing on the experience and knowledge of someone who witnessed the initiative’s inception.