Instructional goals
Laboratory part:
The laboratory provides practical knowledge on the preparation of Research and Innovation project proposals for the Horizon Europe funding framework. This part is delivered as a hands-on EU Research & Innovation proposal-writing laboratory. The final outcome of this part is the development and presentation of a project proposal prepared in groups.
Prerequisites
Laboratory part:
English language. Students are expected to be able to read EU funding calls, discuss project ideas in English, and prepare written assignments and presentations in English.
Intended learning outcomes
Laboratory part:
By the end of the laboratory the student will:
a) understand how the Horizon Europe programme works, including the structure of destinations, missions, calls and topics;
b) know the core elements of a Research and Innovation project proposal and be able to draft the main proposal sections;
c) understand the process leading from an idea to a project, including topic analysis, concept development, consortium building, stakeholder mapping, methodology, impact, work planning, budgeting and pitching;
d) be able to work in a group to transform a topic into a coherent project concept and present it effectively.
Course Contents
Laboratory part:
This part is a writing laboratory. Students will learn step-by-step how to prepare a Research and Innovation project proposal in response to a Horizon Europe topic. The course combines theoretical framing with practical coursework and assignments. The work is carried out in groups and progressively covers the proposal cycle: orientation to Horizon Europe, topic analysis, TRL/BRL levels, project canvas, ethics and digitalisation, stakeholder and consortium mapping, state of the art analysis, literature and patent search, methodology, impact modelling, work packages, GANTT and PERT charts, budgeting, investment strategy, pitching and final presentation.
Reference Books
Laboratory part:
No textbook and no mandatory reading assignments. Teaching materials, templates, examples and reference documents will be provided during the course. Students will work directly on Horizon Europe call documentation, topic texts, proposal templates and supporting materials made available by the lecturer.
Teaching Methods
Laboratory part:
The laboratory combines frontal lectures on methodologies and theoretical aspects with practical workshop sessions. Students are expected to complete classwork, work in groups, discuss their own project development and progressively build a project proposal. The teaching approach collaborative and based on weekly assignments.
Assessment Method
Laboratory part:
Students will be evaluated according to:
- level of engagement in lectures and workshop activities;
- quality and consistency of the coursework developed during the course;
- quality of the final group presentation and project proposal output.
The output of the laboratory accounts for 50% of the final mark of the exam
Thesis assignment criteria
Laboratory part:
By choice based on personal interest. Assigned by the lecturer if no workable preference is available.
Week 1
Laboratory part:
Orientation, learning objectives and assessment. Interactions with core courses. Syllabus overview. Introduction to the European Research and Innovation context, Horizon Europe, project proposals and the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Week 2
Laboratory part:
Analysis of the Horizon Europe hierarchy: destinations, missions, calls and topics. Elements of a topic text. Introduction to selected topics for group work. TRL and BRL levels. Formation of work groups.
Week 3
Laboratory part:
From topic to project concept. Project Canvas. Digitalisation and ethics in Horizon Europe projects. Storytelling, vision, value proposition and SMART objectives. Preparation of an abstract or concept note.
Week 4
Laboratory part:
Revision and consolidation of the initial project concept. Group feedback on project canvas, objectives, abstract and alignment with the selected topic.
Week 5
Laboratory part:
Consortium building and stakeholder mapping. Competence matrix. Setting hypotheses and preparing interviews. Identification of partners, users, beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders.
Week 6
Laboratory part:
State of the art analysis. Literature search, patent search and use of data visualisation tools. Building evidence for the project need, novelty and positioning.
Week 7
Laboratory part:
Project methodology. Graphical synthesis and logic diagrams. Methodological challenges, barriers and risks. The Do No Significant Harm principle. Linked initiatives, multidisciplinarity, ethics, gender dimension and gender balance.
Week 8
Laboratory part:
Checkpoint and consolidation. Review of the project canvas and main proposal architecture. Feedback on coherence between topic requirements, objectives, methodology, consortium and expected outputs.
Week 9
Laboratory part:
Results, outcomes and impacts. Extracting expected impacts from topic texts. Impact models, including economic, environmental, health and scientific impact where relevant. Barriers to impact and mitigation strategies.
Week 10
Laboratory part:
Work plan and implementation structure. Work packages, tasks, deliverables and milestones. Preparation of GANTT and PERT charts. Alignment between methodology, timing, responsibilities and expected results.
Week 11
Laboratory part:
Budgeting and resource planning. Cost categories, effort allocation and budget coherence. Investment strategy. Classwork on final presentations and proposal refinement.
Week 12
Laboratory part:
How to pitch a Research and Innovation project. Work on final pitches. Final group presentations, peer discussion and feedback on the project proposal.