Application Planning
Application Planning and Timelines
Eligibility
For most Horizon Europe calls, you must apply as a team of at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different European Union or associated countries. Canada is an associated country. At least one of the 3 partners must be from an EU country. In addition to these 3 partners, organizations from other countries may be able to join a consortium. Successful applications often involve more than 5 partner organisations.
Partner with researchers familiar with Horizon Europe
To learn the requirements, complexities and expectations of Horizon Europe Pillar 2 funding, organizations with Horizon Europe program management experience recommend that researchers participate on grant applications as partners on consortia before attempting to lead an application. Currently, it is mandatory for Western researchers to be a partner on any HE Pillar 2 project.
Start early
Given the complexity of partnering on a consortium, it is advised to contact your Faculty Research Office and Institutional Research Programs well in advance (at least 2 months) so we may guide you on institutional requirements and application development.
Internal Application Timelines and Processes
Step 1: Notify your Faculty Research Office and Institutional Research Programs of your intent to apply at least 2 months prior to application submission. Contact Elizabeth Russell-Minda, Institutional Research Programs Officer, elizabeth.minda@uwo.ca for required institutional processes, organizational contact information, and proposal/budget review timelines.
Do not insert Western's organization PIC # to a proposal without first contacting the Institutional Research Programs contact listed above.
Step 2: Register for an account on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. This will give you access to many resources and applications that you are partnering on.
Step 3. Budget and Proposal Review. Submit your requested budget and relevant proposal sections for review by both your Faculty Research Office and IRP at least one month in advance of the sponsor deadline. This ensures compliance with university policies and practices and reduces any potential risk to the university and its researchers. Note that in Horizon Europe Pillar 2, RIA & IA proposals, indirect costs are reimbursed at a flat rate of 25% of the eligible direct costs.
Step 4. At least 5 business days prior to the application submission deadline, complete and submit a ROLA proposal for approval. The IRP officer will assist with initiating the ROLA proposal if required.
Gender Equality Plan and other EDIDA considerations
The European Commission is committed to promoting gender equality in research and innovation; therefore, Horizon Europe projects prefer a gender-balanced consortia. It is recommended that you integrate these principles when developing a consortium. See: Gender equality in research and innovation.
Institutions applying to Horizon Europe must have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) or equivalent strategy in place to be eligible for funding. Western's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization and Accessibility (EDIDA) Strategic Plan satisfies the requirement for our institutional GEP.
Contact
For more information or questions about the program, please contact Elizabeth Russell-Minda, Institutional Research Programs Officer
