As part of the Technical Assistance for Türkiye in Horizon Europe Project, of which TÜBİTAK is the main beneficiary, the Information Multipliers System (IMS Club), currently undergoing a comprehensive branding and institutionalisation process, continues to strengthen its capacity-building activities aimed at reinforcing Türkiye's integration into the European Research Area (ERA). Building upon more than a decade of accumulated experience and institutional knowledge from previous EU Framework Programmes, IMS Club is evolving beyond a traditional information dissemination network into a sustainable capacity-building mechanism that mobilises regional research and innovation ecosystems, fosters international collaboration, and contributes to long-term systemic impact.
Within this framework, the third online training seminar dedicated exclusively to IMS Club members, entitled "Partnership Building in Horizon Europe", was held on 25 June 2026. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Burcu Göğüş Doğan, Director of the Operational Coordination Unit, on behalf of TÜBİTAK, the project's main beneficiary.
Delivered by Leonardo Piccinetti, the seminar explored strategic approaches to building successful international partnerships under Horizon Europe. Throughout the programme, participants examined the critical role of partnerships in project success, the characteristics of high-performing consortia, the positioning of different stakeholder groups within collaborative projects, and the current participation profile of Turkish organisations within the European research and innovation landscape. The seminar also highlighted practical approaches to increasing international visibility, developing complementary partnerships, and establishing sustainable long-term collaborations.
The training further addressed key aspects of consortium development, including strategic partner selection, effective use of European networking and collaboration opportunities, the distribution of roles and responsibilities among consortium members, and the expectations of proposal evaluators regarding consortium quality. Through practical case studies and interactive exercises, IMS Club members reflected on their own institutional strengths and explored ways to position these assets more effectively within future international collaborations.
The IMS Club training programme is designed to strengthen Information Multipliers not only as communicators of Horizon Europe opportunities but also as trusted regional facilitators capable of connecting stakeholders, stimulating new collaborations, and supporting wider participation in the Programme across Türkiye. Through this structured capacity-building approach, IMS Club aims to enhance the long-term institutional capabilities of its members while contributing to Türkiye's overall performance and visibility within Horizon Europe and the European Research Area.
The IMS Club training series will continue with its in-person training event, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on 23 July 2026. Bringing together Information Multipliers from across Türkiye, the event will offer an interactive learning environment designed to further strengthen institutional capacities, promote peer learning, and foster stronger collaboration across the national research and innovation ecosystem.