Lost in the Horizon Europe Health Work Programme? Here is how to find the information you need

Are you a health researcher feeling overwhelmed by the Horizon Europe Health Work Programme? You’re not alone. Many researchers, particularly those new to this competitive funding programme, share your frustrations. The document is dense, complex, and loaded with jargon that can make it feel impenetrable. Let me assure you—it’s not about your abilities; it’s about learning how to unlock the potential of this document to pave the way for your research success. In this post, I will break down the structure of the Work Programme and guide you on where to find the information that matters most.

Why the Work Programme matters

The Health Work Programme is the backbone of funding opportunities in the health sector within Horizon Europe. It’s a document that:

• Defines the European Commission’s strategic priorities in health research.
• Details the context, scope, expected impacts, and budgets for various funding opportunities.

Understanding how to read this document not only helps you find your next funding opportunity but also ensures your project aligns with the Commission’s expectations (a must if you want to receive funding!), giving you a competitive edge.

The competitive advantage of early preparation

If you’re among the researchers with early access to a draft Work Programme, you’re already in a privileged position. This is your opportunity to:

• Familiarize yourself with the structure and content of the document.
• Understand the Commission’s priorities and how your project aligns with them.
• Begin planning your consortium and proposal strategy well in advance.

Early preparation reduces stress, enhances clarity, and increases your chances of submitting a compelling proposal. Instead of rushing during the final weeks before the deadline, you can use this time to refine your ideas and build confidence in your submission.

Break down the Work Programme structure

To make sense of the Work Programme, it’s important to understand its hierarchical structure:

1. Work Programme: The overarching document covering various funding priorities.
2. Destination: Broad thematic areas under the Work Programme, corresponding to the key strategic objectives.
3. Call: Specific funding opportunities, each with a defined deadline, each regrouping different topics.
4. Topic: Detailed requirements for the proposals, including scope, expected impact, type of action, and indicative budget. Proposals are submitted at the Topic level.

How the Work Programme is organised

The Work Programme is organized to provide a clear roadmap for applicants. Here’s how it’s laid out:

1. Introduction: This section provides an overview of the programme’s objectives and the policy context, followed by a brief outline of the expected impacts for each Destination.
2. Call: A tabular overview of each call, including deadlines and budgets.
3. Destinations: Each Destination is described in detail, followed by the full texts of the Topics within that Destination.

Understanding this structure allows you to navigate the document efficiently, pinpointing the sections most relevant to your research.

Key elements of a call

When exploring the calls within a Work Programme, focus on these critical components:

• Deadline: Knowing the exact submission date and time helps you plan your preparation timeline.
• Expected EU contribution (per project): Indicates the scale and ambition expected for individual projects.
• Deadline model (two-stage or full-stage): Determines the format and effort required for your initial submission.
• Indicative budget (for the topic): Provides an estimate of how many projects will likely be funded under a specific Topic.

These elements are critical for assessing the feasibility and alignment of your project with the call’s expectations.

Steps to navigate the Work Programme and identify relevant topics for your health project

1. Start with your research goals: Be clear about your project’s objectives and how they contribute to advancing health research.
2. Explore the destinations: Begin by reviewing the Destination summaries to identify thematic areas that resonate with your research.
3. Dive into the Destination description: Within your chosen Destination, read the full texts of the Destination to better understand the expectations.
4. Check the Topics text: If the Destination still resonate with you, read the texts of the Topics included to understand the specific requirements for each of them. Does any of these align with your project objectives and impact? Super!
5. Book your free quality check today: In just 30-minutes I will help you

   
   

   1. Align your project with the call objectives to ensure it stands out.
   2. Identify the strengths of your proposal and highlight areas that make it competitive.
   3. Uncover potential challenges and develop a plan to address them before submission.

This free session is designed to give you clarity and confidence as you navigate your grant application.

Click below to secure your spot today—limited slots available!

👉 Book Your Free Quality Check

Don’t miss the chance to transform your proposal into a compelling, fundable project.

1. Subscribe to my newsletter: I will inform you about the release of future posts, to guide you through the subsequent steps of the application process, as well as on open and future funding opportunities, and grant application tips. I will not overload your mailbox, promised! I will send you an update every two weeks

👉 Subscribe here

Image by Siora Photography on Unsplash