FROM CONCEPT TO CALL: EU PROPOSAL WRITING WEEK

International Short Program

EU Project Design | WIDERA | Horizon Europe | Erasmus+ | International Collaboration

Descrizione

The International Short Program “From Concept to Call: EU Proposal Writing Week” is an intensive training initiative promoted by UCBM Academy to support the development of advanced competences in European project design and proposal writing, with a specific focus on Horizon Europe collaborative actions.

The program is grounded in the understanding that effective EU project design today requires more than technical expertise, calling for the integration of scientific vision, project management skills and strong international networking.

For this reason, the EU Proposal Writing Week is conceived as a capacity-building program with a concrete and measurable outcome, rather than a purely theoretical course. The program combines solid methodological foundations with hands-on project work, guiding participants through the collaborative drafting and presentation of an EU project proposal.

The EU Proposal Writing Week is an intensive two-week International Short Program designed to provide participants with a hands-on and results-oriented experience in EU project design and proposal writing.

The program is structured into two complementary phases, combining methodology and practice.

Program Structure

  • Duration: 2 weeks
  • Structure: blended program
    • Week 1: online training (15–19 June 2026)
    • Week 2: on-campus project work in Rome (6–9 July 2026, Rome)
  • Language: English
  • Location: Via Regdo Scodro 42, 00128 Rome

The blended format allows participants to combine methodological preparation with in-person collaboration, ensuring that theoretical inputs are directly applied in a real project development context.

Week 1 – Online Training (15–19 June 2026)

Methodological and theoretical foundations

The first week is delivered online and focuses on the theoretical and methodological foundations of EU project design. Participants develop a shared understanding of EU funding mechanisms and acquire common tools to prepare for the on-campus project work.

Key topics include:

  • European programs and R&I funding schemes
  • Horizon Europe: framework and participation rules
  • Collaborative proposal writing
  • Proposal evaluation and grant preparation

 

Week 2 – On-Campus Project Work (6–9 July 2026, Rome)

The core of the International Short Program

The second week represents the core of the International Week and takes place in person at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma.

During this phase, participants will:

  • meet and work together in international and multidisciplinary teams;
  • strengthen institutional and professional networking;
  • collaboratively write a project proposal to be submitted in response to an EU call.

Supported by experienced EU project designers and research support professionals, participants will move from a shared project concept to the drafting and presentation of a concrete EU proposal, aligned with the objectives, structure and evaluation criteria of the call.

This week is entirely dedicated to collaborative project work, peer learning and co-design, transforming networking into operational partnerships and training into a tangible project outcome.

In addition to the academic and project work activities, the on-campus week includes cultural and social activities in Rome, designed to support informal interaction and exchange among participants.

These activities aim to:

  • foster intercultural dialogue in an international environment;
  • strengthen professional relationships beyond formal training sessions;
  • create opportunities for collaboration in a shared setting.

The combination of project work, networking and cultural activities makes the on-campus week a key moment for building lasting professional connections.

The program is open to:

  • academic, technical and administrative staff, researchers and students from universities, including participants joining through Erasmus+ Staff Mobility;
  • professionals from different countries, including staff from research centers, public or private organizations and institutions interested in European project design and management.

The International Short Program is designed for participants interested in acquiring practical competences in EU project design and management within an international context.

Core Objectives

  • Interpret EU calls within the broader European funding landscape
  • Translate project ideas into fundable concepts aligned with call objectives and evaluation criteria
  • Design a coherent and competitive EU project proposal
  • Build effective international partnerships
  • Develop a concrete proposal suitable for submission to an EU call

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, participants will be able to:

  • understand the structure and priorities of European programs;
  • design and develop project proposals in response to competitive calls;
  • build international partnerships;
  • define budgets and impact strategies;
  • submit and present a project through the EU portal.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma.

Pre-registration deadline: 30 April 2026 (23:59 CET)

All participants are required to complete the online pre-registration form.

The International Program will be activated upon reaching a minimum of 15 participants.

After the pre-registration deadline, applicants will receive an email confirming whether the program has been activated. In the event of activation, the email will also include instructions on how to proceed with the payment of the participation fee.

Fees

  • Erasmus Staff (full program): € 750,00
  • External participants (full program): € 1,000,00
  • Online week only: € 350,00

Essential info

* Reduced fee options available

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