Participation in the International Horizon Europe Mentoring Programme

Iryna V. Myhovych, Acting Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Affairs at the State Institution “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”, has been selected through a competitive process to participate in an international online mentoring programme on Horizon Europe project implementation and management.

The programme is organised by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG), with support from the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), as part of the ESTERA-UA project, “Estonian Support for Ukraine’s Integration into the European Research Area”. The project aims to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and Estonian researchers, facilitate the search for international partners, and expand Ukrainian institutions’ participation in Horizon Europe. The mentoring programme is one of its practical components, enabling participants to work with experts experienced in implementing Horizon Europe projects.

Six interactive sessions will take place between October and December 2026. They will cover the allocation of roles within an international consortium, the management of work packages and deliverables, budgeting, reporting, research ethics, communication, and risk management. Discussions will address practical questions raised by participants, focusing on real management challenges in international projects.

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For Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, participation in the programme is directly linked to its ongoing international project activities. In September, Iryna V. Myhovych represented the University in the preparation of the RECONSTRUCT-UKR (“Conflict and Post-War Reconstruction in Ukraine”) proposal for a Horizon Europe call. The proposal was developed by a consortium of more than 20 partners, coordinated by Saarland University, Germany. Participation in this consortium required the University to clearly define its research contribution, align its tasks with the overall project structure, and plan the necessary resources.

This experience makes the mentoring programme particularly valuable, as it offers an opportunity to discuss with experienced Horizon Europe practitioners the challenges that arise after proposal preparation: coordinating partners’ work, fulfilling work package commitments, managing budgets, and reporting results. The knowledge gained can therefore support the organisation of the University’s project activities and help its researchers join new international consortia. Selection for the programme both recognises the experience the University has already gained and represents an investment in its further participation in the European Research Area.