Learn more about the NCP-WIDERA.NET project and how it supports applicants and NCPs in the expanding aspects of the Horizon Europe program.
Building a more inclusive and competitive research and innovation ecosystem across Europe remains a top priority. Although Horizon Europe offers a wide range of funding opportunities, participation levels still vary widely from country to country. Bridging this gap is a core goal of the WIDERA program and one that is actively supported by NCP_WIDERA.NET, a project coordinated by Poland’s National Center for Research and Development (NCBR).
NCP_WIDERA.NET supports applicants across Horizon Europe by strengthening national contact points (NCPs), improving the quality of proposals and enabling international cooperation, with a particular focus on WIDERA and Pillar 2 opportunities.
Strengthen contact points nationwide
At the heart of this project is a clear idea. That means effective support for applicants starts with a well-equipped national contact point.
NCP_WIDERA.NET is a multinational network focused on strengthening the capabilities of WIDERA NCP. These experts act as key intermediaries between the Horizon Europe program and potential applicants, providing guidance on calls, proposal preparation and participation rules.
The project will enable NCPs to exchange knowledge, share best practices and coordinate services through structured collaboration. This ensures that researchers, companies and organizations receive consistent, high-quality support, especially in expanding countries.
Addressing the innovation gap
A persistent challenge in the European research and innovation landscape is the divide between countries with strong systems and those that are developing their capabilities.
NCP_WIDERA.NET contributes to addressing this imbalance through targeted actions that improve access to knowledge, expertise and international networks. By strengthening the advisory role of NCPs and providing practical tools to applicants, this project will help create more equal opportunities to participate in Horizon Europe.
Promoting cross-border cooperation is a key element of this effort. Researchers, innovators and organizations from a wide range of countries are supported to connect with experienced partners and join competitive international consortia.
Travel grants: enabling participation and networking
One of the most practical instruments of this project is the travel subsidy scheme. We support participants from countries participating in mediation events, networking conferences and other related gatherings across Europe.
These grants reduce financial barriers by covering travel and accommodation costs, and help applicants gain visibility by engaging directly with potential project partners.
Face-to-face interactions remain important to build trust and form consortiums. Participating in mediation events allows applicants to present ideas, establish connections, and position themselves within new project partnerships.
In this way, travel subsidies not only support mobility, but also actively increase access to collaboration opportunities and strengthen the integration of countries into the growing European research and innovation ecosystem.
Pre-screening: Strengthen before proposal submission
Another key element of NCP_WIDERA.NET is the pre-screening service offered through the WideraExperts platform.
The service connects applicants with experienced external experts to review draft proposals and provide structured feedback. The aim is to improve the quality of proposals before submission, focusing on aspects such as clarity, consistency, and alignment with call requirements.
Importantly, pre-screening services are provided free of charge to applicants. This gives everyone access to high-level expert feedback, regardless of an organization’s resources. For many organizations in growing countries, this type of support is otherwise difficult to obtain.
The platform facilitates an efficient matching process between applicants and experts, allowing proposals to benefit from relevant and targeted input. As a result, applicants will be prepared to submit competitive proposals.
Preliminary screening contributes not only to individual applications but also to long-term skill development. Participants will gain practical insights into evaluation criteria and proposal development, which they can apply to future Horizon Europe submissions.
Training and knowledge sharing
Training is a central pillar of the project. NCP_WIDERA.NET organizes workshops, webinars and peer learning activities aimed at strengthening NCP skills and knowledge.
These activities will cover topics such as WIDERA’s funding scheme, proposal evaluation and advice methodology. The project continually improves NCP’s expertise to ensure applicants receive accurate and up-to-date guidance.
In addition to training, the project also contributes to the dissemination of knowledge through publications. Recent achievements include ERA Success Stories and ERA Opportunities, which highlight successful initiatives and present available funding possibilities.
These materials help to raise awareness, encourage participation and demonstrate the far-reaching impact of involvement in the European Research Area.
Results and impact
Since its inception, NCP_WIDERA.NET has delivered various tangible results. These include strengthening cooperation between WIDERA NCPs, improving advisory services for applicants, and increasing access to international networking opportunities.
The implementation of travel subsidies has enabled wider participation in major events, and pre-screening services have helped improve the quality of submitted proposals. Through training activities, we have further strengthened our comprehensive support system for examinees.
Together, these initiatives will contribute to increasing participation from a wider range of countries and promoting a more balanced European research and innovation landscape.
Looking to the future: priorities for 2026 and beyond
As the project enters its final stages, 2026 will be a particularly important year for implementing key activities and maximizing impact.
The consortium works according to a set schedule and ensures that all planned actions are carried out effectively. Key priorities include continuing training activities, maintaining travel grants and prescreening services, and supporting applicants in future recruitment.
Several important events are also planned. These include a brokered event focused on the Excellence Hubs call scheduled for the fall, as well as a brokered event dedicated to the ERA call. Both will play a key role in helping participants build strong consortia and prepare competitive proposals.
At the same time, 2026 will also be an important time to reflect on the project’s achievements. Efforts will be made to gather feedback, data, and experiences from those who have benefited from NCP_WIDERA.NET support. These insights may help expanding countries better understand how support can continue in the future and how similar mechanisms may evolve in the next framework program.
Although the project will officially run until March 2027, the next year will be critical to consolidating results, completing core activities, and ensuring that the knowledge, tools, and networks developed within NCP_WIDERA.NET are accessible to the NCP community in the long term.
A project that emphasizes practical support
As NCP_WIDERA.NET moves towards its final stages, its value lies not only in the coordination, but also in the very practical support provided to applicants and national contacts across Europe.
Through tools such as travel grants and free pre-screening services, the project will help organizations, researchers and innovators take concrete steps towards joining Horizon Europe. At the same time, strengthening NCP capacity will ensure that this support continues to reach those who need it most.
Rather than providing abstract solutions, NCP_WIDERA.NET focuses on removing real barriers, whether financial, structural or knowledge-based, that can limit access to European funding opportunities.
As the project progresses to final activity, its experiences and results may also contribute to shaping how similar support mechanisms evolve in the future. Initial considerations have already pointed towards the next framework plan, and gathering insights and drawing meaningful conclusions will be particularly important in understanding how the growing range of countries can continue to be effectively supported and actively engaged in the European Plan.
This article will also be published in the quarterly magazine issue 26.
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