Objective
Building on the success of PICO, PICO – New Horizons scales up a proven model that connects frontier physics with society, turning the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) and Researchers at Schools (R@S) into a year-round engagement framework. The consortium expands from four to 10+ countries with strong participation from the Balkans, broadening access for schools and citizens and strengthening European research integration. Rooted in cutting-edge physics, the project widens its scope to themes that matter for daily life, such as climate change, natural hazards, the green transition, green buildings, and nature-based solutions, showing how fundamental research underpins sustainable technologies. A new Communication & Engagement Academy for Researchers builds capacity in inclusive science communication, storytelling, and dialogue, while innovative assessment tools track participation, learning outcomes, and societal impact.
PICO – New Horizons will markedly increase its digital footprint through interactive online formats and virtual visits to major research infrastructures (e.g. CERN, VIRGO/EGO, KATRIN), enabling equitable participation regardless of location. Educationally, it deepens R@S with teacher training and new practices such as activities embedded in Balkan Olympiads and science camps, creating durable school–research partnerships.
The awareness campaign is expected to reach more than 400,000 citizens; we plan to engage 50,000 citizens in ERN activities, involve 10,000 students in R@S, and train more than 200 researchers through the Academy. Through these innovations, PICO – New Horizons advances the ERN mission from “bringing research closer to citizens” to “bringing citizens into research,” empowering people of all ages to experience science as a collaborative, creative, and human endeavor.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-CITIZENS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
546 36 THESSALONIKI
Greece
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.