Published: 18 June 2021

Top tips for applying to Horizon Europe’s Cluster 1: Health

Today marks the opening of the Horizon EU Health funding calls, which allocate €7.7bn to eligible health researchers across Europe for the next seven years. Before applying, we advise interested researchers to read these top tips by Kay Duggan-Walls, National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe, Cluster 1: Health with the Health Research Board. With over 10 years’ experience in EU research funding, Kay has helped hundreds of Irish applicants submit funding applications, and her expertise will give your project the best possible chance of success.

1) Start early

It usually takes four to six months (or longer) to build a quality proposal, so successful applicants start early. By early, we mean preparing your application as soon as the draft work programmes are available. There are lots of moving parts to consider, the most time consuming of which is finding the right consortium of partners for your project and getting agreement among them on what the project proposal will include. The sooner you begin these discussions, the more productive and strategic these collaborations will be. Contacting a National Contact Point early on is also vital, as we can:

• Help you identify the right call
• Discuss your project idea with you and support you in developing it further
• Advise on eligibility, technical issues and EU funding rules
• Guide you in your project partner search and share background materials
• Assist with all parts of the application process.

2) Become an evaluator

For those new to Horizon Europe, it’s advisable to apply to become a proposal evaluator. This gives you first-hand experience of the application process under Horizon Europe programmes, and teaches you what makes a good proposal, a bad proposal, an excellent proposal, and everything in between. This insight serves not only as inspiration but is also a key advantage when coordinating your own funding application. It’s also knowledge you can share with your research group and colleagues. Meeting researchers from all over Europe within your area of expertise will strengthen and expand your research network in a European context – and who knows, they may even become potential collaborators or partners in future applications. Becoming an evaluator is also an opportunity to meet members of the European Commission staff relevant to your area of research. These people have input into the annual work programme and are open to ideas about areas of research that are not covered now, and may need to be in the future. If they feel your research addresses a priority need within European research, they might even suggest you participate in a workshop to identify gaps in this research area.

3) Establish a good network

Horizon Europe Health calls are collaborative and multidisciplinary, and project partners from different countries and disciplines are required – meaning it’s essential to form a network well in advance. Currently, you might not know many potential partners, or may be investigating ways to find new ones. As a first step, talk to colleagues in your own institution or elsewhere, as well as previously funded researchers, as they can connect you with relevant researchers who may be interested in partnering with you. You can then begin forming the basis of a consortium. Another good starting point is to contact previously funded researchers specific to your area of research. To do this, have a look on the Cordis website which lists previously funded proposals. Alternatively, you can join a European working group, a project advisory group or a network. Conferences are also a great opportunity for finding potential research partners.

4) Get familiar with the ‘Funding and Tenders Portal’

The portal is a one-stop resource for your proposal. It’s where you’ll find live calls, register your organisation and submit your application. Opening and closing dates are also included here, as well as an online manual to help you through the submission process, a call template to guide you through the application, FAQs for each call topic, a project partner search facility, and other useful documentation. Make sure to use the correct call templates for your proposal as these can change slightly each year. The latest version can be downloaded from the portal once you register.

5) Understand how to navigate the programme efficiently and effectively

This starts with choosing the right call. The chance of getting funding increases when applying for grants that are best suited to your area of research.  To write a good research proposal, it’s essential to understand the funding call topic in the Work Programme – so make sure to read the call Work Programme carefully and take time to analyse it. Look at the requirements, criteria and conditions of the call topic to construct an appropriate workplan and address all aspects of the call description. Identify key words that will help you understand the expectations of the call, and be aware of footnotes like publications and websites that can provide further guidance on where the call is positioned within the funding and policy landscape.

6) Again, give yourself plenty of time

A last-minute, rushed application will stick out like a sore thumb. Be aware of the deadline and aim to meet it with time to spare to allow for a methodical approach and plenty of cross-checking. Keep in mind that on the day of the deadline, portals are often overloaded with applications resulting in longer than usual upload times. The best way to avoid missing your deadline is to submit your application at least 48 hours before the due date. A final note, remember a 5pm deadline in Brussels, is 4pm Irish time!

This blog was authored by Kay Duggan-Walls, NCP for Horizon Europe: Cluster 1 Health with the HRB. Kay's next blog will give her top tips for writing a high-quality proposal. For dedicated advice and guidance on Horizon Europe, contact Kay at kdugganwalls@hrb.ie or +353 1 234 5187.

Learn more

• Further information on Horizon Europe can be found on our website here.
• Watch this video to hear funding recipients under the Horizon 2020 programme share their experiences of compiling a successful grant application. 
• Read EU-funding success stories of Irish researchers.