Here is a brief overview of the key steps you will encounter during the application process and how we can help you as NCP.
Do not hesitate to contact your dedicated NCP for more guidance.
The Funding & Tenders 
portal of the European Commission allows you to choose the appropriate funding programme (Horizon Europe or Digital Europe ) use keywords related to your field of interest and refine your search with further filters.
NCP Federal BE keeps you informed about EU funding programmes and EC infodays, updates on open and upcoming calls, and provides advice in findings appropriate calls.
Horizon Europe calls for proposals are open to legal entities in the private or public, profit or non-profit sectors. Most of the call topics require the formation of a project consortium with a minimum number of members (usually at least 3) coming from a minimum number of EU Member States and Associated Countries.
NCP Federal BE can help with detailed information on conditions and potential exceptions to specific call topics. Specific conditions also apply in the Digital Europe programme for reasons of security strategic autonomy of the EU.
Finding partners can be done through (1) appealing to your own network of experts and institutional contacts. Partner search is also facilitated by (2) online tools such as the partner search function on the Funding and Tenders portal , partner search features linked to specific calls, and the CORDIS database (which can be browsed according to research area, call topics, keywords) to find EU-funded research projects and their coordinators and partners as to identify key players with experience in particular areas of the programme. In addition, (3) brokerage or matchmaking events are also organised by the European Commission , REA (Research Executive Agency) or the NCP network projects. Finally (4), through your dedicated NCP who has access to the specialised network of NCPs.
NCP Federal BE can help in partner search by providing updates on networking events and can assist in finding potential project partners through its own expert network and through its cooperation with other NCP networks all over Europe, which organise events tailored to specific clusters.
Each member participating in a EU research consortium has to login to use the Funding and Tenders portal. Create an account here .
If you want to participate in a project proposal, your organisation needs to be registered and have a 9-digit Participant Identification Code (PIC). This unique identifier of your organisation will be used as a reference by the Commission in any interactions. You can check whether it is already registered here .
Select your topic and go to the Submission Service section of the topic page. Make sure that you select the application template of the right type of action before you start drafting a proposal. The link to the submission system is available, if the status of the call is 'open'.
NCP Federal BE is available for advice on meeting EU criteria and excellency standards from idea conception to proposal writing and during the entire project lifecycle, see our services.
