The European Projects Office (OPE)
The European Projects Office (OPE), part of the Office for the Transfer of Research Results (OTRI), is responsible for supporting the participation of researchers from Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) in research and innovation initiatives at both the European and international levels. This support places particular emphasis on the EU’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme, Horizon Europe (2021-2027).
The OPE also acts as a liaison between regional and national stakeholders, with the aim of increasing participation and fundraising capacity for research activities.
To achieve this, the following specific objectives have been defined:
- Strengthen leadership and task coordination of UPO researchers in project proposals.
- Improve the success rate of submitted applications.
- Promote researchers’ involvement as expert evaluators in European R&D and innovation programmes.
- Facilitate collaboration between research groups and industry partners (academia–industry cooperation).
- Support the participation of University spin-offs in European R&D and innovation programmes.
The OPE supports researchers throughout the entire life cycle of projects, from disseminating opportunities to project management and monitoring.
Information and Support Services (Pre-award):
- Provision of information and guidance on international funding opportunities for R&D and innovation projects (including calls, grants, events, etc.).
- Training activities through courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
- Technical advice and assistance in preparing proposals, including drafting, budgeting, reviewing consortium agreements, submitting proposals, and liaising with representatives.
- Assistance in partner search, including support for researchers responding to partner search requests, the formation of consortia, and the dissemination of UPO researchers’ profiles.
- Dissemination of funding opportunities to UPO researchers.
Management and Monitoring Services (Post-award):
- Monitoring of the project evaluation process (including communication with representatives).
- Negotiation of grant agreements with the European Commission (EC).
- Administrative and financial mediation with the EC and/or project partners.
- Support in project coordination.
- Assistance in preparing interim and final reports.
- Coordination of project management and financial monitoring.
- Support for project audits.
Additionally, the OPE serves as the Local Contact Point for EURAXESS, the European network for researcher mobility. For more information, please, click here.
