Networking & External Engagement

Leeds has been a member of Crowdhelix (previously ‘Vision 2020’) since 2013. With over 450 academic, industry and commercial members across Europe, this vibrant network focuses on fostering innovative research collaborations.  

Its online platform is organised into research themes (‘helixes’), aligned with the Horizon Europe clusters and missions.  Since June 2017, Water@Leeds has been the Water helix lead, using the University’s world-leading position in the field of water-related research to bring together academics, researchers and industry experts to form new EU funded collaborations. 

Crowdhelix participation as ‘Impact Partner’ 

Crowdhelix are now offering their expertise to participate in research consortia as ‘Impact Partner’. This role can involve: 

• writing the impact section of proposals 
• managing the Dissemination and Exploitation work package  
• creation of a project Helix on the Crowdhelix platform to coordinate all communications activity for the project during and after its duration.  

For further information about engaging with Crowdhelix for your research project please contact us. 

Helix Events 

Although now taking place virtually, a range of Helix events are held regularly across Europe. These events often include plenaries from official EU representatives as well as brokerage/consortium-building sessions focused on specific EU funding calls.  

The network also delivers various webinars on different aspects of European research and innovation activity as well as how to make the most of the Crowdhelix innovation platform. You can see all upcoming webinars here. 

Using the Crowdhelix Innovation Platform 

As a subscribed member of the network, all University of Leeds researchers and support staff have access to the online innovation platform. On the platform you can post a collaboration opportunity, search for expertise for a particular call, as well as browse and respond to posts from other institutions.  

Please click on the link to sign up and access the Crowdhelix platform. 

For more information about CrowdHelix please contact us. 

UKRO (UK Research Office) is the Brussels-based European Office of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Its mission is to maximise UK engagement in EU-funded R&I. The University of Leeds is subscribed to its advisory service, which includes: 

• regularly communicated updates on EU R&I activity; 
• access to various training and networking events 
• bespoke visits from our institutional UKRO representative 
• access to a large volume of online guidance on all areas of EU funding.  

UKRO also delivers the UK’s National Contact Point service for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and the European Research Council (ERC), each providing a dedicated helpdesk, website and specialised information and training events. 

Please click on the link to sign up and access UKRO services. 

In 2019, the EU Funding Team launched the Marie Curie Fellows Forum as a way for Marie Curie (Doctoral and Postdoctoral) fellows hosted at Leeds to interact, share best practice, foster career development, and socialise.

More specifically, the forum aims to:

• create a community amongst the fellows who work in various research groups across the University;
• address shared / common issues that Marie Curie Fellows often face when starting or undertaking a Marie Curie Fellowship in Leeds;
• provide support and updates, including in the context of EU Funding and UK Association;
• maintain links with researchers after they finish their fellowship, potentially creating new international partnerships.

Supported by our team, the activities of the forum is driven by the fellows themselves according to what is of most benefit to them.  This includes:

• a dedicated MSCA Fellows Group on Microsoft Teams to share information as well as support continued networking and discussions amongst fellows and with our team;
• networking and social events;
• an informal buddy scheme. Current Marie Curie fellows act as a point of contact, offering advice & support for incoming/new Fellows.

For more information on the forum or if you are interested in joining, please contact Jessica Clarke. 

The EU funding team is also engaged with several informal national networks focused on sharing experience and best practice in both pre- and post-award contexts. As well as offering valuable networking opportunities, these collaborations encourage us to constantly think about and develop new ways of working. Our participation also promotes our visibility as one of the most active UK HEIs in the EU funding arena.