Understanding the ERA Dimension of Horizon Europe: Strategies, Insights & Real Project Experiences

How does the European Research Area (ERA) translate from policy vision into concrete opportunities for researchers and institutions—especially those in widening countries? In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive deep into the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and explore how to build competitive, high‑impact WIDERA proposals.You’ll hear expert insights from:Siiri Kolka – National Contact Point, ERA specialistDamir Hasković – Coordinator of the Next Tech Talents projectKārlis Krēsliņš – Project partner and university representativeTogether, they unpack the ERA pillars, discuss what makes a successful ERA proposal, and share hands‑on experiences from the recently funded Next Tech Talents initiative—focused on strengthening deep‑tech ecosystems and improving researcher career pathways in Europe.Whether you’re a researcher, proposal writer, project manager, or institutional leader, this episode helps you understand the ERA logic, avoid common pitfalls, and recognize how ERA‑funded actions support systemic change across Europe. Timestamped Questions & Segments00:00:02 – Welcome to the episode 00:00:35 – Introduction of guests and topicInterview with Siiri Kolka00:01:40 – What is the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and why does it matter? 00:12:06 – What makes a competitive ERA proposal? 00:14:00 – Why is understanding the ERA policy agenda crucial? 00:17:20 – How should applicants think about consortium composition? 00:18:55 – What should applicants check when calls have a “portfolio approach”?Interview with Damir Hasković00:19:36 – How did you organize your proposal-writing journey for Next Tech Talents? 00:23:11 – What makes an impact section convincing? 00:25:55 – What is the Next Tech Talents project about? 00:31:02 – Who is in your consortium and why? 00:33:20 – Tips for applicants preparing proposals under ERA/WIDERAInterview with Kārlis Krēsliņš00:35:25 – First impressions and reflections on ERA insights shared today 00:37:20 – Why did your institution join this consortium? 00:40:01 – Your role in the proposal and how it translated into project duties 00:46:00 – Can ERA projects lead to national reforms (doctoral schools, career models)?Closing Reflections00:55:20 – Siiri’s final remarks and key takeaways 00:58:30 – Episode wrap‑upSend us a message!