The workshop featured Sándor Erdő (Erdőpharma Kft.), Viktória Józsa (Nord Consult Kft.), Zoltán Kaló (Semmelweis University, Syreon Research Institute), Zoltán Kincses (H2020 assessor), and István Szabó, Deputy President of the NRDI Office who discussed why it is worth to participate as an assessor in the framework programme. Among other topics the workshop discussed how Hungarian and regional (EU13) interests can be asserted during the assessment, how assessors can help improve the quality of Hungarian proposals, and what form of government subsidy would help improve the Hungarian participation rate in the framework programme.

They underlined: as most of the assessors still come from the “old” member states (EU15), it would be useful – and recommended – that more Hungarian researchers and developers apply for assessor positions by registering in the EU’s dedicated expert database.

The main conclusions of the discussion were as follows:

Why apply to be an assessor?

• Assessors can closely follow current research and innovation trends.
• It is an excellent opportunity for networking, as assessors can meet the prominent researchers and experts of their field.
  
• Assessors can get valuable information about why proposals succeed or fail.
  
• By sharing their personal experience, the assessors can also encourage their colleagues to register and thus further increase the number of Hungarian assessors.

During the assessment, Hungarian and regional interests can be asserted. Assessors should emphasise, for example, that the results of a funded research project should be suitable for application throughout the EU and that the project should impact a significant area of the EU.

Tips for successful application:

• Applicants should not assume that the assessors have a similarly deep knowledge of the given field.
  
• Successful application in H2020 calls requires long preparations: sufficient time should be spent on consortium building and proposal drafting.
  
• It is recommended to review the projects running in the given topic, and contact the coordinator before the project ends to involve the applicant in the next project.

How can H2020 assessors contribute to the increased quality of future proposals involving Hungarian partners?

• By reviewing and pre-assessing proposals.
  
• By mentoring applicants.
  
• By sharing their experience with potential assessors and applicants in assessor clubs and forums.

How can the NRDI Office facilitate the success of prospective Hungarian applicants and the collaboration between assessors and applicants?

• By organising assessor clubs and forums.
  
• By organising workshops and training to which the National Contact Point (NCP) of the given field invites the competent assessor.
• By creating the conditions for the mentoring of applicants and by connecting applicants and assessors.
  
• By organising and financing pre-assessments.

The NRDI Office is ambitious to create an active and constructive H2020 assessor community, and maintain long-term collaboration with the Hungarian assessors of the H2020 programme. To this end, it will soon open an online registration portal where experts can indicate their interest in joining as well as their preferences