Horizon Academy project
The Horizon Europe NCP Portal is supported by the Horizon Academy (NCP4HE), a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) funded by the European Commission and formed by a consortium of 36 partners in 29 countries.
The rationale behind this project is to achieve a more unified NCP system in all countries participating in Horizon Europe. There are hundreds of NCPs spread across Member States and Associated Countries, and even though in many cases they are organised through their thematic networks, there is a need to strengthen their capacities and giving them the opportunities to learn from each other. A stronger Horizon Europe NCP ecosystem will in turn lead to a better and more professionalized service offered to participants and beneficiaries, leading finally to higher quality proposals from across the whole EU.
The project started in April 2023 and has a duration of 60 months. Its activities are grouped into the following Work Packages:
- WP1. Training coordination and implementation
- WP2. Legal & Financial NCP Community Building
- WP3. Good practices and quality standards for National NCP systems
- WP4. Building bridges among NCP thematic networks to multiply their value
- WP5. The Horizon Europe NCP Portal: increasing services and scope
- WP6. Preparing the transition to the next Framework Programme
- WP7-9. Project coordination and communication
Horizon Academy logo
This WP structure leads to three main courses of action. First, it provides a wide range of training opportunities for NCPs (WP1). Second, it brings together the thematic networks of Legal & Financial NCPs and NCPs National Coordinators (WP2 and WP3). Third, it gives transversal support to all NCP Thematic Networks, especially newcomers, with the aim to strengthen and professionalize the NCP ecosystems across Member States and Associated Countries, by implementing a large series of activities both from a methodological (WP4) and a technical (WP5) perspective.
All these core themes will funnel, starting in 2026, into WP6, focused on the preparation of the NCP ecosystem for FP10, constituting a second part of the project. All the project activities are developed with a strong dissemination and communication component mainly targeted to NCPs, with a strong focus on newcomers. Most of the project results are made available to the general public, either via the European Commission portal, or the Horizon Europe NCP Portal, which has the largest growing collection of training sessions, e-learning courses (through the NCP Virtual Campus), events, guidelines and other tools about the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
The Horizon Academy consortium is composed of 36 partners from 22 Member States and 9 Associated Countries. More than 120 public officers in Europe and beyond are currently involved in the project, which meet regularly on a variable geometry basis to discuss content, exchange best practices, and create synergies.
Horizon Academy kick-off meeting. April 2023, Athens.
Horizon Academy logo logic
National NCP Coordinators collaborate with the national authorities and various stakeholders in leading, developing, and managing the country’s NCP system. In doing so, the Coordinators maintain an overview of the national system, to ensure overall operational consistency and quality of support for national applicants and other stakeholders interested in the framework programmes. The Coordinators have an important mission to liaise with the Commission coordinating services on cross-cutting questions that are not covered by other NCPs and communicate the outcomes back to their networks and teams. Moreover, in some countries, the Coordinators are also the contact persons for general questions on partnerships and missions that are not covered by other NCPs. The NCP Coordinators ensure the overall implementation of an NCP mission: as highly professional support services, NCPs operating nationally form an essential component of Horizon Europe implementation. They have a key role in delivering the programme’s objectives and impacts ensuring that it becomes known and readily accessible to all potential applicants, irrespective of sector or discipline.
The network of Legal and Financial National Contact Points (NCPs) for the Horizon Europe programme provides essential support for managing financial and legal aspects of the program. Composed of experts from participating countries, this network ensures structured guidance for project participants.
- Financial NCPs assist with financial management, budgeting, reporting, and compliance with funding regulations. They help participants understand eligible costs, financial planning, and audits to ensure successful project execution.
- Legal NCPs provide guidance on consortium agreements, intellectual property rights, data protection, ethical issues, and contractual obligations. They assist in drafting contracts, managing legal risks, and resolving disputes.
This network collaborates with other NCPs to enhance coordination and support for Horizon Europe participants. By offering expertise, training, and compliance assistance, they contribute to the program’s success, ensuring effective project execution and maximizing impact.
-
Analysis of Evaluation Summary Reports (ESR):
For website feedback at
feedback@horizoneuropencpportal.eu
For general enquiries at
info@horizoneuropencpportal.eu
Horizon Europe NCP Portal
2021-2028
