Abstract

As a Research Management consultant, ERINN Innovation offers a range of services across the pre- and post-award landscape. Our expert team have delivered training for 15 years to researchers and RMAs across a wide range of themes including; strategic orientation and planning, proposal writing and impact, proposal management, and networking, amongst others.

The IMPACT focus within Horizon Europe has made it critical to ensure project design is fit for purpose (structure and consortia) in order to demonstrate that a project has a high chance of achieving desired impacts. Through proposal support we realised that the key advice we had to offer to improve a bid, was often coming too late in the proposal development process for sufficient alteration. For example, misalignment to the call topic or missing consortium members are not quick fixes – constructive criticism can only be constructive if time allows for alteration or rectification.

ERINN observed a need for coordinators and their core writing teams to be trained on proposal writing and robust interrogation of project design delivered in advance or during the development of a Horizon Europe Proposal. The training programme was developed initially for upskilling PIs, to ensure that their science acquires the necessary funding whilst being sufficiently impactful and sustainable.

Interestingly the majority of attendees are research support officers and NCPs. Research support staff are a first point of contact of the PI’s when proposal development begins, and therefore their understanding of Horizon Europe’s complexity, and the timelines required to develop a proposal, are essential to effectively support the coordinators.

Since its initial roll out in April 2021 this training series has undergone considerable transformations - evolving in order to refine its efficiency, support and value. We are happy to share insights around what has worked, what hasn’t worked, our adaptations in content and delivery, the barriers and challenges, and our thoughts about considerations for the future evolution of this training and lessons for other course developers in order to maximise the benefits for RMA participants.