The European Commission, as part of its multiannual programming, with a budget of approximately 100 billion euros, provides funding to public and private organizations engaged in research activities through the Horizon Europe 2021–2027 programme, which supports and promotes research and innovation in Europe.
The specific objectives of the programme are:
- to strengthen the scientific and technological foundations of the European Union through the development of advanced technologies, products and services to improve the quality of life and the competitiveness of European companies;
- to implement the strategic priorities of the European Union and contribute to the achievement of its goals and policies;
- to address global challenges, including achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by following the principles of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, and to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
The structure of Horizon Europe is mainly based on three lines, the so-called pillars: excellence in science, global challenges and industrial competitiveness, innovation. In particular the second pillar, funded with over 50% of the total resources of the entire framework programme, addresses the following areas/clusters: health, culture, security, digital, climate-energy-mobility, food-natural resources-environment.
Across FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe, the University of Cagliari has been awarded funding exceeding €40 million for nearly 100 research and innovation projects. The University, through its researchers and administrative offices, currently manages an average of 40 active projects, generating a network of about one thousand partners including companies, other universities, and research centers.
The EU and USA grant office of the University provides technical-administrative support to researchers and administrative offices for the submission, management, and reporting of European projects funded through competitive calls from the European Commission's framework programmes and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In particular, for European projects, the office offers support in the following three main phases:
Ex ante / Project submission
Support in preparing the financial plan, during contract signing phase, in drafting the Consortium Agreement and all initial project documents, as well as support for all the communications with the EU and project partners.
In itinere / Project management
Support in administrative, financial, and accounting management for the proper reporting of projects and the preparation of financial reports.
Ex post / Reporting
Support in the review and preparation of documents necessary in case of financial audits carried out by the European Commission.
The sector operates in close collaboration with the Working Group for the Promotion and Participation in European Research Programmes, supporting the Delegate of the Rector for international research projects, Prof. Luigi Raffo.
Moreover, the Sector benefits from the collaboration of APRE, the Agency for the Promotion of European Research, which provides information, support, assistance, and training activities to increase and encourage the University's participation in European framework programme calls.
Contacts
Simona Scalas
Research and the Territory division
Via San Giorgio 12 – entrance 3 (second floor) – 09124 Cagliari
Tel. +39 070 6758441
Email: simona.scalas@unica.it
Margherita Marascia
Research and the Territory division
Via San Giorgio 12 – entrance 3 (first floor) – 09124 Cagliari
Tel. +39 070 6756481
Email: margherita.marascia@unica.it
Monica Marini
Research and the Territory division
Via San Giorgio 12 – entrance 3 (second floor) – 09124 Cagliari
Tel. +39 070 6756526
Email: monica.marini@unica.it
The "Progetta Horizon" office facilitates access to funding opportunities within the European Framework Programmes, offering specialised and personalised support.
Its services include the following activities:
- mapping of internal expertise and research areas within the University, followed by targeted promotion of relevant calls for proposals;
- personalized, on-demand assistance to help researchers identify and assess funding opportunities on specific topics;
- support in consortium building for the submission of strong and competitive project proposals;
- support in drafting the scientific part (part B) of project proposals.
Contacts
Within the framework agreement signed among Sardegna Ricerche (SR), the University of Cagliari (UniCa), and the University of Sassari (Uniss), experts in European project planning provide specialized assistance in technical, contractual, legal, and financial matters. These services are available both online and at the Sardegna Ricerche headquarters in Cagliari.
Additionally, training courses and practical workshops on various topics and funding opportunities will be organised with the aim of enhancing professional skills.
Activities planned for 2025 will be listed below and promoted timely.
The University make accessible to its users three support platforms for researching, consulting, and managing European research projects.
- Trova bandi: an online tool for consulting competitive calls for research funding, both basic and applied, as well as initiatives for technology transfer and development cooperation.
Calls under the Horizon Europe programme can be consulted directly on the European Union’s Funding & Tenders Portal; - Crowdhelix: an international platform that connects researchers, universities, companies, and organisations to facilitate collaboration on research and innovation projects, particularly within European programmes such as Horizon Europe;
- InTime: a platform for recording, managing and reporting time spent on research activities.
