Download pdf: 2025-EmkiceKIC-ACRID_ToR-for-Consulting-Services
Mastering Project Writing for Horizon Europe
Training and Coaching Event
| 19th – 23rd May 2025 | Dojran, Republic of N.Macedonia
1. Background
The Emkice KIC – Knowledge Innovation Center officially launched the ACRID Network in October 2022. “ACRID Network” is a private initiative, independent, non-partisan, non-political, international network, with strong focus, expertise and interest in Science, Innovations, Research and Development and have 4 sectors of members:
• Private sector,
• Academic sector,
• Public sector and
• Experts-Scientists, persons.
ACRID means Associated Candidate Countries Research, Innovation and Development Network. ACRID is a private professional network focusing to support and improve the R&D+I in the accession and negotiation process to EU by the Horizon Europe Associated and Candidate Countries as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, N.Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, including Kosovo* with opportunities to include other EU programmes Associate countries and third countries as defined by European Commission.
ACRID is focusing on improving the Research, Innovation and Development Capacity of EU Associated Candidate Countries, rising the Innovation Scoreboard Index in SEE, with aim of promoting EU values and EU financial instruments from the MFF 2021-2027, fully aligning with EU values on EU Green Deal, Digitalization, Education, Innovation, Climate, Health, Environment, Energy and Agriculture policies. ACRID supports alignment with EU values and funding instruments within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027.
2. Objective and Purpose of the Consultancy
ACRID Network is organizing a closed members only training and coaching event from 19th to 23rd May 2025 in Dojran, Macedonia, engaging international consulting company to provide professional consultancy services on Mastering Project Writing for Horizon Europe Projects.
The goal is to equip ACRID members – participants, with advanced knowledge and practical skills for preparing successful Horizon Europe (HE) project proposals for 2025-2026. The consultancy should facilitate three parallel training programs:
• Group 1: 2-day training
• Group 2: 3-day training
• Group 3: 5-day training (the 2day and 3day agendas as part of the 5 day)
Up to 25-30 ACRID Network member entities representatives will be invited to participate in physical presence, and 5 representatives of 5 entities online participation.
The purpose of this consultancy is to organize and deliver a high-quality training and coaching event on mastering project writing for Horizon Europe (HE) projects. The event will take place from May 19th to May 23rd, 2025, in Dojran, Republic of N.Macedonia. The consulting services should support participants in acquiring skills, knowledge, and tools to develop and submit competitive HE projects proposals under RIA/IA calls.
3. Scope of Work
The selected Consultant Company shall be responsible for:
• Designing and delivering high quality interactive and practical training covering key aspects of Horizon Europe project development.
• Providing coaching and mentorship for participants on project idea formulation, consortium building, proposal writing, and submission.
• Ensuring hands-on exercises, case studies, and real-life examples
• Supporting post-training consultancy for participants in their project development.
• Supporting participants in drafting, writing, finalization and submission of 5 (five) Horizon Europe project proposals in 2025.
• Engaging different ACRID Network members as partners in Horizon Europe projects for 2025.
4. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals from consultancy service providers will be assessed based on the following weighted criteria:
1. Price (25%) – Evaluated based on cost competitiveness and value for money
o Competitive pricing with a clear breakdown of costs.
o Cost-effectiveness relative to the quality and scope of services offered.
2. After-Training Follow-Up and Consultancy (25%)
o Extent of follow-up support and availability for participant consultations.
o Structured mentoring for project proposal development.
3. Personal Experience in Horizon Europe Projects (25%)
o Proven track record in Horizon Europe RIA/IA projects.
o Previous experience in successful project proposal writing, wining and implementation and/or coordination. 4. Writing and Finalization of 5 HE Project Proposals under RIA/IA (25%)
o Demonstrated ability to support the writing and submission of 5 (five) Horizon Europe proposals within 2025.
o Track record in successful Horizon Europe project submissions.
Engagement of ACRID Network Members will be an asset – Ability to integrate ACRID members into other HE projects consortia in 2025.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244(1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22017A0727(01)
5. Deliverables and Reporting
The selected consultant company is expected to deliver the following:
1. Pre-training Materials (D1 by May 10, 2025): Training agenda, participant guidelines, and preparatory materials.
2. Training Sessions (D2.1 May 19-23, 2025): Conduct the training as per the specified duration for each group. Training Report (D2.2 by June 10, 2025): A detailed report on training outcomes, participant engagement, feedback, and key recommendations.
3. Mid-Term Progress Report and 3 HE proposals (D3 by October 10, 2025): Overview of support provided for project proposals, status of proposal development, submission of 3 (three) Horizon Europe project applications and any identified challenges.
4. Final Report and remaining 2 HE proposals (D4 by November 10, 2025): Summary of consultancy activities, impact assessment, lessons learned, submission of the remaining 2 (two) Horizon Europe project applications and a comprehensive review of the five submitted Horizon Europe project proposals.
6. Payment Terms
The payment for the consultant company will be structured into four installments, tied to key deliverables:
1. Advance Payment (20%) – To be paid by May 15th, 2025, prior to the training event, upon signing of the contract (10-15 May).
2. Post-Training Payment (20%) – To be paid by June 15th, 2025, following completion of the 5-day training session, submission of a detailed training report, and issuance of an invoice 10-15th June.
3. Mid-Term Payment (40%) – To be paid by October 15th, 2025, upon submission of 3 (three) Horizon Europe project applications, supported by a mid-term report and an invoice, 10-15th October.
4. Final Payment (20%) – To be paid by November 15th, 2025, upon submission of the remaining 2 (two) Horizon Europe project applications, supported by a final report and an invoice, 10-15th November.
7. Submission of Proposals
Interested consultancy firms must submit “The Offer”:
• A detailed proposal, including methodology and work plan;
• Team composition, CVs of key experts;
• Proof of at least 3 previous similar training composition;
• Past projects personal experience in Horizon Europe as partner or coordinator;
• Financial offer, including a breakdown of costs.
All applications must be submitted no later than March 30, 2025, in pdf format
to both, contact email: info@emkice.mk and info@acrid.eu ].
8. Duration of the Consultancy
The consultancy engagement will commence on May 15, 2025, and conclude on November 15, 2025, spanning a total duration of six months.
This Terms of Reference serves as a guideline for selecting a consultancy firm to provide high-quality training and project writing support for Horizon Europe proposals. The selected consultancy will play a pivotal role in enhancing ACRID Network members’ success in securing Horizon Europe funding.
Deadline:
The deadline for the submission of proposals is March 25, 2025. Shortlisted consultancy firms will be invited to participate in a brief online meeting and discussion between March 31 and April 4th 2025.
Q/A:
Available communication by mail info@emkice.mk from 6th – 20th March 2025.
Final selection:
The final evaluation of submissions will be completed no later than April 9th 2025. The selected consultancy firm will be notified by April 10th 2025, and subsequently invited to sign the contract and finalize the preparation of deliverable D1 by May 10, 2025.
