Eligibility & Recommendations

Pile of paperwork and a pen

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 now considered 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 your consortium. Successful applications tend to involve more than 5 partner organisations.

Recommendations

Register as an expert

To learn more about how Horizon Europe programs work, you can consider registering as an expert.

Experts may be asked to assist with and/or provide advice regarding:

  • Evaluation of proposals, prize applications and tenders;
  • Monitoring of actions, grant agreements, public procurement contracts;
  • Preparation, implementation and evaluation of EU programmes and design of policies.

Partner with researchers familiar with Horizon Europe

To learn the requirements, complexities and expectations of Horizon Europe Pillar II, organizations with experience with the Horizon Europe program recommend that researchers participate on grant applications as partners on consortia before attempting to lead an application.

Start early

Given the complexity of establishing a consortium which includes multiple institutions in different countries, organizations with experience with the Horizon Europe program have advised that development of a competitive Pillar II application requires a minimum of six months and up to one year.

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