Horizon Europe: Coordinators’ Day

I spent a day at an introductory training for would-be Horizon Europe coordinators so you didn’t have to. I’ll sum it up for you below, in tender-style. The morning (Part A) covered access and the afternoon (Part B) capacity.

Access vs. capacity: a quick primer

Access to resources and the capacity to use them strategically are crucial to success in any competition, and European academic grants are highly competitive.

I personally remember this access v. capacity framework whenever I come across a chess board — I have no idea how to play chess. I think I was taught once, but I never bothered to practice, so here we are: I play checkers with chess pieces. This usually drives whoever is gullible enough to agree to play against me up the metaphorical wall (which brings me back to deploying resources strategically…Always take the time to choose your partners carefully whether applying for grants or playing chessckers.)

Part A, Access: Horizon Europe: the tender portal and grant preparation

If you’ve ever met a friend for lunch at the European Commission’s HQ, the Berlaymont, you’ll recognize the administrative hurdles that must be surmounted (endured?) when doing almost anything at the EU level. Steps must be followed…