Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, boasting a substantial budget of €95.5 billion allocated for the period spanning from 2021 to 2027. Horizon Europe proposals typically ask for a team of at least three organizations from three different EU or associated countries, with a requirement that at least one partner is from an EU country. Beyond these three partners, organizations from additional countries, including Latin America, are welcome to join the consortium.
The purpose of these international collaboration requirements is to foster international collaboration and promote diversity of expertise, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and impact of research and innovation projects. During Horizon 2020, the predecessor to Horizon Europe, the average consortium consisted of five participating organizations. Notably, there were instances where projects featured more than eight organizations as part of the consortium.
Participating in a Horizon Europe proposal presents major opportunities to organizations across LATAM. It is important to recognize, however, that finding and securing partners for the solicitation is a challenging endeavor and will vary depending on the specific call. This blog will provide insightful tips and explore useful tools to assist you in the search for potential partners and navigating the intricate landscape of consortium building.
Who can be a partner?
Before delving into where to find potential partners, let’s establish the criteria for who can qualify as one. Companies, universities, research organizations, or non-governmental and governmental organizations are eligible to be a partner, regardless of their location within the EU member states or in one of the associated countries to Horizon Europe. However, it is imperative that they are financially viable and possess the qualifications necessary to execute the tasks promised in their project proposal. Furthermore, being eligible to be a partner does not automatically qualify an entity for funding from the European Union. Please refer to List of Eligible Countries for Horizon Europe for detailed information.
Where can a partner be found?
The foundation of a strong consortium is selecting the right partners. Partner selection can significantly impact the success of your project. Evaluating partners based on their expertise, experience, and alignment with project objectives, while also fostering diversity, guarantees a broader spectrum of skills and perspectives. Here are two essential tools available from the European Commission.
EU Funding and Tenders portal
The EU Funding and Tenders portal is a fundamental tool in European project management, serving as the official platform of the European Commission. This comprehensive portal not only provides access to all available EU funding calls and tenders for proposal submissions but also facilitates collaboration by connecting you with potential partners.
For each specific Horizon Europe call, the official webpage provides a list of organizations actively seeking partnerships or proposing contributions to proposals. This approach offers the advantage of accessing a pre-screened list of potential partners directly aligned with the chosen call, streamlining the partner identification process for applicants.
The European Commission Partner Search Tool
The Funding & Tenders Portal from the European Commission offers a Partner Search Tool, an online resource facilitating the identification of potential partners who have previously participated in Horizon Europe. This tool enables users to search based on specific criteria and download the results, making it a comprehensive database for finding partners with relevant experience in Horizon Europe projects.
To access the Partner Search on the F&T Portal, navigate to “How to Participate,” and select “Partner Search” at the bottom of the list.
For a step-by-step guide to access “seeking partnerships” and “partner search tool”, refer to the “How to Participate” guide available on the platform.
There are additional platforms designed to assist organizations in finding partnerships, such as EUCalls. Numerous LinkedIn groups related to Horizon serve as valuable sources for identifying potential partners. Furthermore, National Contact Points, acting as contact persons in each country for specific Horizon Europe topics, can provide information and help in locating local partners.
Conclusion:
Navigating the intricacies of building strong partnerships and forming a successful consortium in the Horizon Europe landscape is a multifaceted journey. The consortium’s effectiveness relies on strategic partner selection, considering expertise, alignment with project goals, and fostering diversity. Understanding eligibility criteria and utilizing tools like the EU Funding and Tenders portal and the Partner Search Tool are pivotal steps.
If you are interested in delving deeper into Horizon Europe, we invite you to explore our comprehensive report, “Brazil and Mexico’s Collaboration with Horizon Europe: A Journey of Research and Innovation”. Discover exciting insights and eligibility details. Read the full report here.
