Forward Project : what’s up ?

The Forward project aims to improve ORs participation in EU research and innovation calls for proposals. The animation of ORs’ Research and Innovation ecosystems, trainings to strengthening ORs’capacities and networking are essential to reach this goal.

Training in Canary Islands, Saint Martin, French Guiana

Despite covid-19 and restrictions of travelling and difficulties to implement in person events, Forward partners have to be resilient and adapt to this situation. Indeed, three events during these last months have been organized in several regions within the framework of the WP4 training.

In the Canary Islands, the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) led 3 training of 2 hours each for its stakeholders and Forward partners, such as FRCT from Azores, participated with several of its staff members and also ARDITI from Madeira.

The three training courses took place online on February 17, 18 and 19 of 2021 and were imparted by “La Palma Research Centre”. Their recordings are available through PLOCAN YouTube channel on the following links:

Funding Opportunities for Advanced TRLs (TRL6-9) – 17 February

Preparing Proposals for European Projects – 18 February

Management of European Projects – 19 February

Community of Saint-Martin promoted a webinar on European Funds for Research and Innovation during two days on March 4^th and 5^th. Two modules for R&I stakeholders :

• Module 1 : knowing and understanding European funding: general notions
• Module 2 : Financing your research or innovation project : the European Union’s framework programmes

This event with the active participation of the European Commission (DG RTD) will contribute to help stakeholders to improve their knowledge regarding design, management, monitoring to achieve their own Horizon Europe project. Moreover, the Forward coordinator from ACIISI of Canary Island presented the 8 Thematic Working Group of Forward aligned with Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe programme. He explained that they could share experience and good practices in order to find the right partners and build a consortium for future Horizon Europe calls.

The University of French Guiana will organize on March 29^th, 30^th and 31^st for Forward staff members from CTG, Guyane Developpement Innovation a training, which will last three days by Curie Network : H2020 Project Implementation.

Four workshops are scheduled :

1 – General rules;

2 – Support to write technical parts;

3 – Support to write no technical parts;

4 – Financial and administrative issues.

A pragmatic training to be proactive for EU calls for proposals.