No, PE is a private SME that specializes in counselling on research policy and management practices in universities and in the participation of third countries in the European Framework for Research and Innovation, with emphasis on Latin America.

2. Does the advice that PE provides has to be both on research management and the European Framework Programme?

No, it can be in either in one of the other, or both.

3. What is the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation?

The European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP), currently Horizon Europe (HE), is managed by the European Commission in Brussels. It aims at carrying out research and innovation projects that propose solutions to pan-European problems with projects of excellent quality, most of which are of collaborative nature. The programme is open to third countries.

4. As a researcher from a country in Latin America, can I get funding for my research or innovation project from Horizon Europe?

Calls are carefully defined through two-year work programmes by European  experts and published through the Funding and Tenders Portal, visible to everybody. The agenda responds to the needs of member states, to other large initiatives of the Union such as the Common Agricultural Policy or the Green Deal, and to the strategic planning of the Union for the septet. If a principal investigator or organisation from a third country finds that he/she can contribute to one or more  calls, he/she must liaise with colleagues from organisations in the EU or an associated country and be invited to work on a proposal. Organisations from some third countries can receive funding if the country income is below a certain threshold; others may not.

5. If there are National Contact Points (NCPs) to help with participating in Horizon Europe, why is the advice from PE needed?

NCPs advice only in one of the HE’s subprogrammes, whereas PE advises in all of them and tailors its counselling to the organisation receiving it.

6. What is a consortium in the EU Research Framework Programme (FP)?

Most calls in Horizon Europe need a consortium by organisations from three different European or associated countries, led by a consortium coordinator. Organisations or researchers from third countries join the consortium and follow the lead of the coordinator. Third-country candidates for Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions and ERC grants do not require a consortium, but need a European host organisation that will hire them and submits the proposal on their behalf.

7. Can a research centre, an NGO, foundation, sub-national government (municipality, city, state), SME  or hospital participate in the Framework Programme?

Yes, they are welcome, but the relevance of their participation depends on the topic of the call. An interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach is desirable in most calls.