Doctoral programmes traditionally focus on disciplinary excellence and methodological rigour. Yet, as research careers evolve, success depends not only on producing high-quality academic work but also on securing the resources that allow that work to take shape. Understanding European funding schemes is no longer an option.
Our team member, Dr. Matias Barberis, was invited by the Department of Social Sciences of the University of Foggia to deliver a specialised course on research funding and proposal development to doctoral students. The visit was part of the university commitment to equipping early-career researchers with the practical knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly competitive research landscape.
At its core, EFIS Centre works to strengthen research and innovation ecosystems through evidence-based policy analysis, programme evaluation and strategic advisory work. This has been supported by leading and participating in diverse Horizon Europe projects, advancing not only the research frontier, but also enhancing the way research translates into actionable policy recommendations. Bringing this perspective into the classroom not only enriches the training of doctoral students but also reinforces our broader goal of promoting more effective and impactful research systems.
Why research funding and proposals development skills matter for young researchers
The doctoral students – most of them completing their first year of research – are already navigating their own research topics, but many have not had the chance to explore European funding opportunities. Thus, the session aimed to presenting the European funding ecosystem and equip the students with concrete hands-on experience in proposal development.
The seminar presented an overview of European research funding, such as Horizon Europe, European Social Fund or Erasmus. This presentation enabled the students to understand how the European Research and Innovation policies evolves in line with changing social, economic and policy needs. In this direction, we explored how the R&I programmes reflect EU priorities around digital transition, climate neutrality, social innovation, and resilience—topics especially relevant for the social sciences and economics fields, nowadays more required as core expertise in proposals.
We then moved from the big picture into the micro-level process of proposal development. Discussions focused on the importance of problem framing, aligning research objectives with policy priorities, designing credible methodologies and integrating impact pathways from the outset. We closed the session openly discussing common pitfalls – from unclear work plans, misunderstanding call texts to inconsistent or overly ambitious budget design. The presentation was supported not only with real examples but also building on the students own research to make the logic more tangible and realistic. Developing a proposal is indeed not only about filling a template, but requires strong coordination, strategic thinking and clarity.
A contribution to bridging science with policy
Contributing to doctoral training at the University of Foggia fits naturally within EFIS Centre’s vision: empowering individuals and institutions to navigate complexity and maximise the societal and policy value of research.
The exchange with students revealed a genuine desire to understand not only the mechanics of proposal writing but the role that research plays in policy design. For EFIS Centre, this experience reaffirms the importance of continuing to bridge science with policy, not only with our known profile on policy advice, but also supporting universities and research organisations in developing the skills and capacities needed in a more competitive research landscape.
