Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IDEAL-IST (Ideal-ist transnational NCP project.)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-09-01 bis 2025-08-31
The Ideal-ist Project continues its role as the ICT NCP network, building upon the achievements of previous initiatives. The central objective of the project is to enhance proposer-centric services on a Europe-wide scale. This is accomplished by elevating the visibility of National Contact Points (NCPs), enhancing the overall quality of NCP services, and capitalizing on national NCP structures. Here is an overview of the work conducted during the reporting period and the primary outcomes attained: The project has outlined three specific objectives as described in section 1.1 of the Description of Action (DoA). Below, each objective is summarized along with its progress, supported by targeted activities:
Objective 1: Strengthen Collaboration Among Digital NCPs
Objective 2: Provide Comprehensive Support for Digital NCPs
Objective 3: Facilitate Collaboration with New and Innovative Players
Objective 1: Strengthen Collaboration Among Digital NCPs
Objective 2: Provide Comprehensive Support for Digital NCPs
Objective 3: Facilitate Collaboration with New and Innovative Players
During the project, IDEAL-IST developed a coordinated set of services to support organisations preparing proposals for Horizon Europe Cluster 4 calls. The work focused on improving the quality, accessibility and consistency of assistance provided by the National Contact Points (NCPs) across Europe, and on helping applicants better understand funding opportunities in the fields of Digital, Industry and Space.
A key part of the project consisted of strengthening cooperation within the NCP network. Joint training sessions, knowledge-sharing activities and dedicated working groups enabled the development of common methodologies and a more harmonised approach to supporting proposers. This helped ensure that applicants receive clear and coherent guidance, regardless of their country of origin.
One of the main technical achievements of IDEAL-IST is the continued development of the Topic Tree, an online tool that allows users to explore Cluster 4 topics in an intuitive and visual way. The tool was further improved during the project to reflect the latest Horizon Europe work programmes, making it easier for researchers, companies and public organisations to identify relevant funding opportunities and understand how topics relate to each other.
The project also delivered a comprehensive set of support services for NCPs, including capacity-building sessions, mentoring schemes and thematic workshops focused on proposal quality. These activities helped NCPs better advise applicants, particularly newcomers and organisations with limited experience in EU programmes.
In addition, IDEAL-IST facilitated matchmaking and cooperation among potential proposers by organising brokerage events and offering opportunities to connect with partners from different countries. This contributed to the creation of stronger, more competitive consortia for Horizon Europe calls.
Overall, the project successfully strengthened the NCP network, improved the tools and methods available to support applicants, and enhanced Europe’s capacity to develop high-quality proposals in the digital and industrial domains
A key part of the project consisted of strengthening cooperation within the NCP network. Joint training sessions, knowledge-sharing activities and dedicated working groups enabled the development of common methodologies and a more harmonised approach to supporting proposers. This helped ensure that applicants receive clear and coherent guidance, regardless of their country of origin.
One of the main technical achievements of IDEAL-IST is the continued development of the Topic Tree, an online tool that allows users to explore Cluster 4 topics in an intuitive and visual way. The tool was further improved during the project to reflect the latest Horizon Europe work programmes, making it easier for researchers, companies and public organisations to identify relevant funding opportunities and understand how topics relate to each other.
The project also delivered a comprehensive set of support services for NCPs, including capacity-building sessions, mentoring schemes and thematic workshops focused on proposal quality. These activities helped NCPs better advise applicants, particularly newcomers and organisations with limited experience in EU programmes.
In addition, IDEAL-IST facilitated matchmaking and cooperation among potential proposers by organising brokerage events and offering opportunities to connect with partners from different countries. This contributed to the creation of stronger, more competitive consortia for Horizon Europe calls.
Overall, the project successfully strengthened the NCP network, improved the tools and methods available to support applicants, and enhanced Europe’s capacity to develop high-quality proposals in the digital and industrial domains
IDEAL-IST delivered several results that go beyond existing practices in the support ecosystem for Horizon Europe applicants. The project introduced new tools, harmonised methods and strengthened collaboration mechanisms that significantly improve how organisations access and prepare for Cluster 4 funding opportunities.
One of the most innovative results is the enhanced Topic Tree, an interactive tool that offers a visual and user-friendly way to explore Horizon Europe Digital, Industry and Space topics. This tool allows potential applicants to identify relevant funding opportunities more efficiently, understand how topics are interconnected and navigate complex work programmes with greater ease. Its structure and visual logic represent a major improvement compared to traditional static documents.
The project also contributed to improving the overall quality of proposal support by developing shared methodologies, common guidelines and joint services for National Contact Points. These resources help ensure more consistent advice across Europe and make it easier for newcomers, smaller organisations and widening countries to participate in Horizon Europe. The strengthened collaboration between NCPs creates a long-lasting support environment that extends beyond the lifetime of the project.
The capacity-building programme delivered by IDEAL-IST—through mentoring, thematic trainings and hands-on workshops—provided NCPs with practical skills and tools that will continue to benefit future applicants. These activities help reduce disparities between countries and support a more inclusive participation in European research and innovation programmes.
Looking ahead, the project’s results have strong potential for further uptake. The Topic Tree could be expanded to future work programmes or new thematic areas. The joint services developed during IDEAL-IST could be integrated into long-term NCP cooperation structures, ensuring continuity and wider adoption. Maintaining and scaling these tools may require continued coordination, technical updates and interactions with other European networks and initiatives.
Overall, IDEAL-IST delivered tangible improvements to the way applicants access Horizon Europe opportunities, provided modern digital tools for navigating complex calls, and strengthened the long-term capacity of the NCP community across Europe.
One of the most innovative results is the enhanced Topic Tree, an interactive tool that offers a visual and user-friendly way to explore Horizon Europe Digital, Industry and Space topics. This tool allows potential applicants to identify relevant funding opportunities more efficiently, understand how topics are interconnected and navigate complex work programmes with greater ease. Its structure and visual logic represent a major improvement compared to traditional static documents.
The project also contributed to improving the overall quality of proposal support by developing shared methodologies, common guidelines and joint services for National Contact Points. These resources help ensure more consistent advice across Europe and make it easier for newcomers, smaller organisations and widening countries to participate in Horizon Europe. The strengthened collaboration between NCPs creates a long-lasting support environment that extends beyond the lifetime of the project.
The capacity-building programme delivered by IDEAL-IST—through mentoring, thematic trainings and hands-on workshops—provided NCPs with practical skills and tools that will continue to benefit future applicants. These activities help reduce disparities between countries and support a more inclusive participation in European research and innovation programmes.
Looking ahead, the project’s results have strong potential for further uptake. The Topic Tree could be expanded to future work programmes or new thematic areas. The joint services developed during IDEAL-IST could be integrated into long-term NCP cooperation structures, ensuring continuity and wider adoption. Maintaining and scaling these tools may require continued coordination, technical updates and interactions with other European networks and initiatives.
Overall, IDEAL-IST delivered tangible improvements to the way applicants access Horizon Europe opportunities, provided modern digital tools for navigating complex calls, and strengthened the long-term capacity of the NCP community across Europe.