Interactive Online Workshop

Horizon Europe Proposal Writing Workshop for First-Time Applicants

A hands-on introduction to crafting a clear and competitive grant application

Thursday, 8 October 2026 · 9h30–13h00 CET · Online, live and interactive · Limited to 10 participants

Are you planning to apply for project funding under Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding programme, and looking for clear, practical guidance on how to write a competitive proposal?

The proposal template tells you what to include, but working out how to apply that in view of your own project’s story, while meeting the evaluation criteria, isn’t always straightforward. Having sat on the other side of the table as an evaluator, I built this workshop around what’s actually being scored, not just the theory of how a proposal should look. It’s designed for participants who are new to Horizon Europe or have lower-intermediate experience, so you don’t have to piece the process together on your own.

Whether you’re aiming for a Call closing later this autumn or winter, or already planning ahead for the next wave of Calls opening in 2027, you’ll gain a clear roadmap to navigate the Horizon Europe proposal process from the first steps to submission.

We’ll draw on concrete examples, in particular from upcoming Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) Calls, as well as Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) Calls opening in 2027. At the same time, the methodologies we discuss are relevant and applicable across all Horizon Europe Clusters.

What you will learn

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

Interpret and respond to the three main evaluation criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation
Align your proposal with the objectives, expected outcomes and expected impacts of the Horizon Europe Call
Navigate the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and understand the main steps involved in starting and managing an application
Structure and present work packages, deliverables, milestones, risks and resources clearly and credibly
Develop a convincing consortium and explain the role and contribution of each partner
Recognise the essential elements of a competitive Horizon Europe proposal and avoid common weaknesses and pitfalls

Workshop format

A compact, hands-on training held in a small group (max. 10 participants) to ensure a tailored and interactive experience. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a strong proposal, with room for your questions throughout. There will be mini exercises to apply your knowledge right away.

Frequently Asked Questions you’ll get answered:

How do I match my project idea with the policy priorities of the Horizon Europe Work Programme?

What exactly should I highlight in the ‘Excellence’ section?

How do I make the ‘Impact’ section persuasive and measurable?

What do I need to include in the ‘Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation’ section?

How do I avoid the most common mistakes in Horizon Europe applications?

What are the expert evaluators looking for, and how do I tailor my proposal to meet those expectations?

The workshop „Horizon Europe Proposal Writing Workshop for First-Time Applicants” is NOT suitable for you if ...

The workshop „Horizon Europe Proposal Writing Workshop for First-Time Applicants” is PERFECT for you if ...

Meet your trainer

Hello, I’m Astrid Mechel,

I help organisations secure EU funding through tailored advice and practical trainings. With more than 20 years of experience in EU funding programmes and policies, I bring thorough, hands-on expertise from multiple perspectives. I’ve written successful EU grant applications myself, advised applicants as a National Contact Point for Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and worked in an EU Executive Agency, overseeing the full funding cycle.

Today, alongside my core advisory and training work, I am also serving as an expert evaluator. This gives me a clear and up-to-date understanding of how proposals are assessed in practice.

Specialising in Horizon Europe grants for research and innovation, environmental sustainability, and social impact, I help organisations navigate the complexities of EU funding and maximise their proposal’s chances of success.

Having worked on different sides of the process, as applicant, advisor and evaluator, I have designed this workshop to reflect how proposals are actually read, assessed and scored.

What Makes This Workshop Special

What participants from previous Horizon Europe workshops are saying

“Going step by step through the application was really useful! The clear explanations, practical examples and opportunity to ask questions made the process much easier to understand, and I’m looking forward to putting this into practice in my own proposal work."

"I received the clarity I was looking for. What I appreciated most is that, although the workshop lasted almost 4 hours, I did not lose interest at any point. Your presentation skills are excellent, and the information shared was highly valuable!"

“I was very impressed by the seminar you gave. The knowledge you shared helped me a great deal in applying for EU funding, including how I need to plan in terms of time and resources.”

“Thank you for allowing me to learn from your vast expertise in proposal writing and managing EU-funded projects! The seminar was comprehensive and to the point. I feel ready to start now!”

"What I found particularly valuable were the introductory knowledge of the programme and discussion of donor criteria and expectations."

"Thank you for the excellent workshop. As I've been learning about EU funding through the official websites and other sessions, your presentation really helped bring everything together. It perfectly outlined what to include in a proposal and where to concentrate my efforts."

Reserve your spot

*participation fee: 170€ (excl. VAT)

Included: 30-day access to the recording of the presentation segments. Interactive exercises, discussions and individual feedback are live only and will not be recorded.

Any questions? Send a message to info[at ]eufundingconsulting.eu and I’ll get back to you asap!

PS: More thematic workshops are in preparation! If you would like to be informed when they are open, subscribe to the EU Funding News & Tips newsletter.