The EXPER (Excellent Peripheries for a Strong European Research Area) Summer School, held from July 17 to 19 at the NEXO Building of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), concluded with great success, leaving a significant impact on attendees and the research community.
Over three intensive days, more than 90 participants, including researchers, academics, and representatives from companies and institutions, immersed themselves in a programme designed to enhance the drafting of successful projects and promote excellent research and disruptive innovation. The initiative, part of the EXPER project, aimed to equip attendees with the necessary tools and knowledge to leverage funding opportunities offered by Horizon Europe (HE), the European Research Council (ERC), and the European Innovation Council (EIC).
The inaugural day began with a welcome reception and institutional presentation by Sebastián López, Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer at ULPGC. The morning session included a detailed presentation of the EXPER project’s Working Groups’ action plans on social challenges, followed by talks on EU missions related to climate change adaptation and the restoration of oceans and water bodies.
Consulta Europa was one of the main contributors on the first day, organising a training session on European project writing and its impact. Led by Beatrice Avagnina, Managing Director at Consulta Europa, the activities included a practical workshop with 60 participants and the analysis of two ongoing European project calls. Seven groups were formed, and, with the support of facilitators from the EXPER member organisations, participants had the opportunity to practically configure a project proposal. They learned how to form a consortium and identify relevant stakeholders for the specific type of call, addressing the call with specific objectives and work packages to enhance the project’s research goals.
The second day focused on the European Research Council (ERC), starting with an introduction to the ERC programme and its evaluation process, led by David Alcántara Parra from SACSIS. The training included practical workshops for preparing research proposals and an inspiring session with Jonathan Alberto Santana Cabrera, who presented a success story from ULPGC.
Ignacio Gárate Alarcón concluded the day with a keynote on Open Science and Research Evaluation in the Spanish context, addressing crucial topics such as the Science Law and the National Open Science Strategy.
The final day was dedicated to the European Innovation Council (EIC) and its Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator programs. Isabel Vinagre from SILO Science & Innovation Link provided key insights for accessing these EIC funding programmes, followed by an inspiring presentation by Roberto Pangallo, Project Manager at Wooptix, on the success of this start-up in securing significant funding via the EIC Accelerator.
The day ended with a session on the Widening Programme, presented by Anselmo Sosa, National Contact Point of the EU in the Canary Islands for this programme, highlighting opportunities to harmonise research and innovation capacities across Europe.
The EXPER Summer School not only provided valuable learning and networking opportunities but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations and project proposals. Participants received certificates of participation, and those with promising project proposals will receive continuous support until March 2025.