Networking Event Horizon Europe WIDERA: Meet Potential Partners for the 2027 Calls

Building a strong Horizon Europe consortium starts well before the proposal is written. It requires finding organisations with complementary expertise, understanding what each partner can bring and creating the right connections around a shared opportunity.

Following our Horizon Europe Cluster 2 Networking Session in June, we are opening a new space for organisations across Europe to meet, exchange expertise and explore potential partnerships for future consortia. On 15 December 2026, Impacto Centro Studi will bring organisations from across Europe together for an online networking session dedicated to Horizon Europe WIDERA. The event will focus on two opportunities from the 2027 Work Programme:

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-02 – Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers

The topic focuses on developing more attractive and sustainable research careers by strengthening cooperation between organisations and sectors within research and innovation ecosystems. The call is expected to support around 15 projects of approximately €2 million each, with a deadline of 11 March 2027.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-04-WIDENING-01 – Excellence Hubs

Excellence Hubs supports the development of connected regional innovation ecosystems in Widening countries, bringing together actors such as universities, research organisations, businesses, public authorities and civil society organisations. Projects are expected to receive between €1.5 and €4.5 million, with a deadline of 4 March 2027.

From understanding the calls to meeting potential partners

The session is designed to go beyond presenting funding opportunities.

After a short introduction to Impacto, our network and our strategy for Horizon Europe, we will provide an overview of the two WIDERA calls and then dedicate most of the event to networking and partner discovery.

Participants will take part in two networking rounds.

The first will offer the opportunity to introduce their organisation, expertise and research interests and meet other organisations from across Europe.

The second will move from general networking to call-specific matchmaking, with dedicated breakout rooms for ERA-02 and Excellence Hubs. Participants will be able to discuss potential roles, complementary expertise and opportunities to collaborate on future proposals.

The aim is simple: to leave the session with a better understanding of the opportunities, new European contacts and potential partners with whom to continue the conversation.

Who should participate?

The event is open to organisations interested in Horizon Europe cooperation, including:

• universities and higher education institutions;
• research organisations;
• public authorities;
• businesses, startups and SMEs;
• civil society organisations and NGOs;
• innovation and business support organisations.

It will be particularly relevant for organisations working on research careers, talent ecosystems, regional innovation and collaboration between research, business, public authorities and civil society.

For Excellence Hubs, organisations based in Widening countries are particularly encouraged to participate.

You do not need to arrive with a complete project concept. The session is also open to organisations that are exploring the calls, looking for a consortium to join or interested in meeting potential partners for future Horizon Europe cooperation.

What happens after the event?

The networking session is intended as a starting point rather than an isolated meeting.

Participants interested in continuing towards a proposal will be invited to a follow-up consortium meeting in January 2027, providing an opportunity to reconnect, explore potential consortium structures and continue developing the relationships started during the event.

Join us

📅 15 December 2026
🕒 15:00–17:00 CET
💻 Online
🌍 Working language: English

Registration link: https://forms.gle/HL686gGYzVLARyZq8

If your organisation is exploring Horizon Europe WIDERA, looking for partners or interested in joining a future consortium, this is an opportunity to meet, exchange expertise and start building new European collaborations.

Register now and join the networking session.