Exploring new fields of research, building networks, broadening horizons and advancing research careers – EU funding programmes make this possible. To ensure that those interested are well prepared, the National Contact Point for Society offers comprehensive advisory services.
Horizon Europe, now the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is the world’s largest programme for research and innovation funding. Horizon Europe is the world’s largest and now the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Of particular interest to the humanities and social sciences is Cluster 2, ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ , with its three thematic areas: ‘Democracy and Governance’, ‘European Cultural Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries’, and ‘Social and Economic Transformations’.
For when it comes to the key socio-political and cultural challenges currently facing Europe, the expertise of the humanities and social sciences is in demand. On issues such as democracy, identity, inclusion, culture and cultural heritage, cohesion, well-being, democracy, identity, as well as digital and ecological transformation in Europe, they provide a better understanding of societal crises and periods of upheaval. Their research findings can facilitate evidence-based policy-making. To ensure this succeeds, the European Commission is providing €2.3 billion in funding under Horizon Europe for Cluster 2: ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’.
To facilitate researchers’ access to EU funding, there are so-called National Contact Points (NCPs) in all European Member States and in the countries associated with Horizon Europe; this network provides advisory support on every aspect of the European Framework Programme.
NCP Society
In Germany, the National Contact Point for Society (NCP Society) is responsible for the humanities and social sciences. It operates on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and is based at the Project Management Agency at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR Project Management Agency). The experts at the NCP Society provide information, advice and networking opportunities. They assist researchers as well as stakeholders from the cultural and creative industries, public administration, civil society and other interested parties in identifying funding opportunities within Cluster 2 ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ of Horizon Europe, setting up consortia and formulating their applications in a manner that is both compliant and suitable. In addition, the NKS Society provides specific information on potential involvement of the humanities and social sciences in other research areas (SSH integration): A key focus of the NKS Society is advising on the integration of the social sciences and humanities (SSH integration) into other research areas: In almost all funding areas of Horizon Europe, as well as in the missions and partnerships, participation by the humanities and social sciences is possible and encouraged!
The NKS Society’s advisory services at a glance:
• Information on current calls for proposals and eligibility criteria
• Provision of individual application advice
• Organisation of target group- and topic-specific events, such as “Ask the NKS!”, “Application Workshop”, “Brokerage Event”, “Impact Workshop”, etc.
• Support with networking and the search for European/international project partners
Net4SocietyHE
Since 2008, the NKS Society has also coordinated the Net4Society (HE) network, which provides training for National Contact Points for the Social Sciences and Humanities at EU and international level, connects them with one another, and thus ensures a high standard of advice across all contact points.
For potential applicants to Horizon Europe, Net4Society offers services and practical support (tools & services) covering the topics of ‘proposal submission in Cluster 2’ and ‘successful collaboration between social sciences and humanities research and other research areas’ – known as ‘SSH integration’. Net4Society also supports the search for international partners in Cluster 2 via its own ‘Cluster 2 Community Platform’ and organises its own international information and brokerage events.
In its annual publication ‘Opportunities for Researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)’, Net4Society provides an overview of the wide range of funding opportunities for social scientists and humanities researchers in other areas of Horizon Europe.
For potential applicants to Horizon Europe, Net4SocietyHE provides information on EU calls for proposals and EU events via its platform and supports partner search through its own platform, including its own international information and brokerage events.
In the annual document “Opportunities for Researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)”, Net4Society provides an overview of the wide range of funding opportunities for social scientists and humanities researchers in other areas of Horizon Europe.
In addition, success stories are published and practical guidance is provided.
Partner Search via Net4Society
Cluster 2 of Horizon Europe features many interesting projects that contribute to understanding societies, strengthening democracies and supporting social transformations.
Particularly through the involvement of the humanities and social sciences, with their unique focus on diverse cultural and socio-economic aspects, the research projects in Cluster 2 can illustrate how we will continue to address political, societal and economic challenges in the future.
Net4Society, the international network of National Contact Points for Cluster 2, has compiled the results of interviews with particularly inspiring Cluster 2 projects in its new series of ‘Success Stories’. Here, readers can discover fascinating details about the projects, from the initial spark of inspiration, through the key steps in further project development and support from the relevant National Contact Points, right through to successful peer review.
Take a look at the Success Stories on the Net4Society website and let yourself be inspired!
By participating in, and in particular coordinating, a project under Horizon Europe, you can play an active role in initiating processes of change and actively witness societal transformation. For German applicants, the NCP Society is on hand to offer advice and support on all matters relating to the application process, from the initial draft right through to submission! The NCP Society is on hand to offer German applicants advice and support on all matters relating to Cluster 2 and the application process – from the initial draft right through to submission!
