Horizon Europe for health researchers: idea, call, or partners – what comes first?

Where should you start when preparing a Horizon Europe proposal? Should you shape your research idea first, search for the perfect call, or build the right consortium? This question came up recently during a coaching session with a client, and it’s one I hear often from health researchers. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there is a strategy to balance these elements effectively.

Each of these elements—idea, call, and consortium—plays a crucial role, but approaching them in isolation can lead to roadblocks. The key isn’t choosing one over the others, but understanding how to balance these three elements strategically.

In this post, I’ll share insights from years of experience to help you navigate this process. Whether you’re new to Horizon Europe or looking to refine your approach, you’ll learn how to align your research interests, funding opportunities, and partnerships to create a winning proposal.

Finding the right starting point

Many researchers start with their brilliant research idea - their scientific baby that they've nurtured for years. They search for the perfect call to fund it, only to realize that either:

• Their idea doesn't quite fit any open calls
• They need to twist their idea so much to match call requirements that it becomes unrecognizable
• The deadline is too close to build a strong proposal

I've seen too many disappointed faces when researchers realize their groundbreaking idea needs to wait for another funding cycle.

Aligning research interests with funding opportunities

Others spot an attractive call first - usually with a hefty budget - and then try to retrofit their research interests to match it. This approach often leads to:

• Artificial partnerships with no real synergy
• Weak project narratives that evaluators see right through
• Frustration when trying to align different partners' interests

The power of building meaningful connections

And then, of course, there’s the question of partners. Some researchers start with a well-connected network, others realize—often too late—that they don’t have the right contacts to put together a competitive consortium. Either way, things can get tricky.

• The “starting from scratch” dilemma: If you don’t have many connections with EU research organizations, trying to build a strong consortium in just a few months is like cramming for an exam the night before—it rarely works. Coordinators and partners want to work with people they trust, and trust takes time. Waiting for the right call to start networking means you’ll always be one step behind.
• The “familiar faces” trap: On the other end of the spectrum, some researchers already have connections but struggle to use them effectively. Instead of crafting a team that matches the call’s requirements, they default to inviting long-time colleagues—sometimes out of habit, sometimes out of fear of damaging professional relationships by excluding them. This can lead to oversized, imbalanced consortia where everyone brings similar expertise but key competencies, requested by the call text, are missing.

So, what's the best approach?

The truth is, successful Horizon Europe proposals emerge from a dynamic interplay between all three elements. But if I had to recommend a starting point, I'd suggest this approach:

1. Start with a broad research direction rather than a rigid idea. Identify your niche and research gaps in your field. Conduct thorough market research and analyze current studies to pinpoint what has been done and what needs exploration. Consider these action steps:
   • Review recent publications and patents.
   • Attend conferences or seminars relevant to your field.
   • Engage with peers to gather insights.
2. Monitor relevant calls and work programmes. Horizon Europe has a wide array of funding opportunities, and each call is tailored to specific themes, objectives, or challenges. By understanding the landscape of available calls, you can ensure that your research idea aligns with current priorities and funding criteria.
3. Build and nurture professional networks continuously. Strong partnerships don't form overnight. Engaging with researchers, institutions, and industry stakeholders on an ongoing basis helps create a foundation for future collaborations. Practical strategies include:
   • Leveraging existing professional networks
   • Attending specialized research conferences
   • Using institutional research office connections
   • Engaging in targeted professional platforms

This flexible approach allows you to adapt while staying true to your research interests, ensuring that when the right opportunity arises, you have both the knowledge and the network to succeed.

Image by Joshua Golde on Unsplash