On December 6, 2023, the NCP_WIDERA.NET Horizon Europe Information event was organized in Yerevan, Armenia, by the Scientific and Innovation Partnership Assistance Center (SIPAC), in close cooperation with the European Commission (EC).
The event aimed at further enhancing awareness about the European Union’s Horizon Europe program within the Armenian research community, and encouraging more applications to upcoming calls for proposals. It provided a unique opportunity for Armenian researchers and innovators to get first-hand information about the EU Horizon Europe Programme and to find answers to their questions from representatives of the European Commission.
Welcome speeches were delivered by Mr. Sargis HAYOTSYAN, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia; and Mr. Arthur ISHKANYAN, Academician-Secretary, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, and Ms. Anne HAGLUND-MORRISSEY, Deputy Head of Unit, Horizon Europe Association, DG R&I, European Commission.
The rich agenda of the event included presentations on various aspects of the Horizon Europe programme delivered by EC representatives Ms. Silvia BOJINOVA (European Neighbourhood Policy Team Leader, DG R&I, State-of-the-play and opportunities for Armenia); Mr. Niccolo QUERCI (Policy Officer, Unit G.3, DG R&I, HEU Structure and WPs 2023-2024); Ms. Marija FEDOTOVAITE (Policy Officer, Unit C.2, DG EAC, MSCA); Ms. Karina FIRKAVICIUTE (Policy Officer, DG R&I, the Widening Programme); Ms. Albena KUYUMDZHIEVA, (Policy Officer, DG RTD, European Innovation Council).
Financial rules and reporting in HEU were presented by Ms. Rena HOHENSTEIN, HEU L&F NCP, DLR, Germany. Ms. Salome MOEZZI-GACON, Governance Officer, COST Association, Belgium, presented on COST Actions.
Mr. Tigran ARZUMANYAN, SIPAC Chairman, presented the NCP_WIDERA.NET Project and introduced the support schemes on proposal pre-screening and brokerage event travel grants available within the project for widening applicants.
Experience from the successful ERA Chair project of the Orbeli Institute of Physiology, NAS RA, was shared by Prof Narine SARVAZYAN, George Washington University School of Medicine. Mr. Bagrat YENGIBARYAN, Director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Armenia, provided insights into the advanced technology environment in Armenia.
The event was widely broadcast by major media agencies including Armenian Public TV.
The SIPAC Foundation expresses its gratitude to the European Commission for invaluable support in organizing the event, and all the speakers for their kind contribution to the successful event which was attended by more than 80 participants.
