The latest October stop of the Horizon Europe National Info Days series, aimed at bringing the research and innovation opportunities offered by the Horizon Europe Programme to stakeholders across different regions of Türkiye, was held in Denizli.
Organized by TÜBİTAK within the scope of the "Türkiye in Horizon Europe" Technical Assistance Project, the Horizon Europe National Info Day was conducted on 22 October 2026, in cooperation with the Governorship of Denizli.
Bringing together the research, innovation, and industrial ecosystem in Denizli, the "Denizli Horizon Europe National Info Day" gathered researchers, innovators, and representatives from various institutions, hosting over 100 participants. During the event, funding opportunities provided by the Horizon Europe Programme, proposal preparation processes, and technical management principles were discussed in detail.
The programme commenced with an opening presentation by Hasan Burak Tiftik, Senior Scientific Programs Expert on behalf of TÜBİTAK. The presentation outlined the national priorities of the Horizon Europe Programme, the support mechanisms provided by TÜBİTAK in its role as the National Coordination Office, and the opportunities delivered to the ecosystem under the "Türkiye in Horizon Europe" Technical Assistance Project.
From Concept to Project: All Stages Under the Spotlight
In the first sessions of the day, George Dimitrakopoulos, Team Leader of the "Türkiye in Horizon Europe" Technical Assistance Project, explained the components of Horizon Europe alongside funding pathways for basic and applied research as well as innovative solutions. Practical insights were shared to help participants align their research ideas with the appropriate Horizon Europe calls.
As the event progressed, critical steps from concept to project proposal were addressed, detailing:
* The correct interpretation of work programmes and calls,
* The formation of strong consortia and role distribution,
* Evaluator assessment criteria and key considerations in proposal writing.
Financial Principles and Technical Project Management
In the afternoon sessions, İhsan Karataylı, Key Expert for the "Türkiye in Horizon Europe" Technical Assistance Project, covered the financial and administrative aspects of projects. Topics presented included eligible costs, budget categories, intellectual property rights (IPR), and support resources accessible via TÜBİTAK National Contact Points (NCPs) and official EU portals.
In the technical management section of the programme, critical execution-stage topics such as work package design, deliverables, project monitoring, reporting, risk management, and contract amendments, were illustrated with practical examples.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session featuring all speakers, announcements regarding upcoming activities, and closing remarks.
