The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) invites applications for an Online mentoring programme aimed at supporting Ukrainian researchers and staff involved in the Horizon Europe proposal preparation and/or project implementation.

The programme aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to successfully implement Horizon Europe projects by enhancing practical project management skills, supporting effective collaboration within international consortia, and improving competencies related to financial management, reporting, communication, impact, and other key aspects of project implementation. The programme also seeks to contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s integration and participation within the European Research Area (ERA).

Target group

The programme is intended for Ukrainian researchers and staff involved in Horizon Europe proposal preparation and/or project implementation at Ukrainian institutions of higher education and research institutions.

To be eligible for participation in the programme, individual applicants must have experience either in preparing and submitting Horizon Europe proposals or in implementing Horizon Europe projects, be employed by an eligible Ukrainian institution, and be either:

• a Ukrainian citizen permanently residing in Ukraine; or
• a stateless person, or a national of third countries other than Ukraine, who is in accordance with the law permanently residing in Ukraine.

Indicative programme topics

The mentoring programme will consist of six online sessions delivered between October and December 2026. The programme is designed as a living curriculum, and the topics and their emphasis may be refined based on the selected participants’ profiles, experience and identified needs.

Indicative topics include:

• The reality of managing a Horizon Europe project: roles, expectations and good practices
• Work planning, deliverables, reporting and risk management
• Budget, cost categories and financial management
• Horizontal issues in practice: ethics, Open Science, gender equality and inclusiveness, communication and impact
• Consortium collaboration, conflict resolution and intercultural cooperation
• Participant-selected topics and discussions of practical challenges

A typical session will begin with a short introduction by the mentor(s), followed by discussion of participants’ questions and practical cases, and conclude with a brief summary of the key takeaways.

ETAG reserves the right to adjust the programme content, session topics, schedule and composition of the groups in response to participants’ needs and operational considerations.

Programme format and timeline

• Application period: 6 August – 6 September 2026
• Selection process: September 2026
• Notification of results: by 25 September 2026
• Mentoring sessions: Six interactive online sessions (approximately 1.5 hours each), held every two weeks from October to December 2026 on Thursdays or Fridays, depending on the group.
• Group size: Two parallel online groups of up to 20 participants each.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• be employed by an Ukrainian institution of higher education or research institution;
• have experience either in preparing and submitting Horizon Europe proposals or in implementing Horizon Europe projects (ongoing or starting soon);
• have a scientific, managerial or administrative role in Horizon Europe proposal preparation and/or project implementation;
• have sufficient English language skills to actively participate in the programme; and
• commit to attending at least five out of six mentoring sessions.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• relevance of the applicant’s needs to the objectives of the mentoring programme;
• motivation and expected impact of participation;
• commitment to active participation throughout the programme; and
• the aim of ensuring a balanced representation of institutions, regions of Ukraine, gender, scientific disciplines, project roles and professional profiles.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application form by 23:59 EET on 6 September 2026. The application form is available HERE.

Before submitting your application, please carefully verify that you meet all the programme requirements and eligibility criteria.

Please note that submitting the registration form does not automatically guarantee a place in the mentoring programme. Following the selection process, all applicants will be contacted individually and informed whether they have been selected to participate. Successful applicants will receive a confirmation of participation by 25 September 2026.

Contact person: Katrin Piller, Estonian Research Council:  katrin.piller@etag.ee