The ACE²-EU Grants Academy is designed as an intensive blended learning experience for early-stage researchers who wish to build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to prepare, write and implement competitive research grant applications. It combines a preparatory online session with an immersive on-site week, enabling participants to engage directly with experienced grant professionals and peers from across the ACE²-EU Alliance.
Participants will explore national and European funding landscapes, work through the technical aspects of real application processes, gain insight into how proposals are evaluated, and develop the partnership-building and communication skills essential to a sustainable, grant-supported research career.
- Teacher: Mateusz Kirjak
- Teacher: Rita Santos-Rocha
Organizer: Goce Delcev University - UGD
Country: Poland
Course Overview: Securing research funding is one of the greatest challenges – and opportunities – of an early scientific career. The ACE²-EU Grants Academy addresses this challenge head-on: a Blended Intensive Programme designed jointly by the Medical University of Gdańsk, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences for early-career research staff from the ACE²-EU Alliance. From national funding schemes across the Alliance countries to the European framework of Horizon Europe, European Partnerships and Interreg, the Academy demystifies the grant ecosystem and shows participants how to turn research ideas into fundable proposals. The course is dedicated exclusively to staff from ACE²-EU Alliance institutions and is open to researchers of any field.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to identify suitable research funding opportunities, develop competitive grant proposals, understand the grant evaluation process, and apply effective strategies for planning and managing collaborative research projects.
Skills Developed: Research grant writing and proposal development - Knowledge of national and European funding landscapes - Technical preparation and submission of Horizon Europe applications - Critical evaluation of grant proposals - International partnership building and networking - Research communication across disciplines and borders
ECTS: 3
Number of hours on site: 30
On-site Certificate Date: 07-11 September 2026
Working Package: WP2
On-site Course End Date:
110926