TREND 2000 Ltd
About Us
Over 30 years’ experience
Trend 2000 was formed in 1997 with a core mission to develop and commercialise the results of European research projects.
We are based in the UK and work through a network of Associates across Europe offering extensive support programmes that address all aspects of the research community including the following:
- Bespoke training programmes on proposal preparation and writing for researchers at all stages of their career (including, MSCA, ERC, EIC and all Horizon Europe Collaborative areas)
- Support and mentoring for proposal writers
- Pre-evaluation and editorial services for proposal development
- Preparation of budgets for research proposal
- Project management training for administrative staff and researchers
- Training, mentoring and reorganisation of research offices to help them become more effective and valued
- Strategy development for organisations looking to engage with European Research more holistically
- Bespoke courses on persuasive writing
We have worked very successfully with researchers from both academia and industry within all areas of European research and many National programmes as well. We can also undertake technology reviews and innovation assessments to help small companies develop and maintain a lead in the ever globalising economy. This includes coaching and mentoring of companies applying to the Horizon Europe EIC programmes.
Consulting
Consulting remains a key aspect of our work. We are active in the exploitation of new materials and production processes. The principal areas we address are:- Construction, Infrastructure, Automotive, Aerospace and General Manufacturing Industry.
In addition we undertake technology reviews and innovation assessments to help small companies develop and maintain a lead in the ever globalising economy.
Research
A strong focus on European research and collaboration has enabled Trend 2000 to develop specific expertise in the area of research management and proposal preparation, regularly working with the European Commission as Evaluators and Reviewers.
Experience in taking research results to commercial exploitation has also led to key insights into how to integrate exploitation and dissemination strategies within the proposal which is often overlooked at the writing stage.
Worldwide
Whilst we are based in the UK, our consulting activities operate at an international level.
Our Horizon Europe work takes us to all parts of Europe including Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Turkey. We have undertaken assignments in Malaysia, production consultancy in UAE, and marketing research missions to Australia and Singapore.
Staff Profiles
Dr Peter Sheard
Dr Peter Sheard is the founder and CEO of Trend 2000 Ltd. He has a first degree in Economics and Materials Technology and a PhD in Corrosion of Polymer Composites. He has worked in International research since 1980 and has coordinated over 50 projects. He has been an evaluator and reviewer for the European Commission since 2000. He works with universities and SMEs across Europe to provide focused training and mentoring services on preparing for and writing applications to Horizon Europe funding across all subject areas including Engineering, Life Sciences and Social Sciences.
Ms Célia Gavaud
Senior Associate
Ms Célia Gavaud is a Senior Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd, based in Italy. She has over 20 years experience and knowledge of Research and Innovation proposal preparation and project management having coordinated several multi-million euros European Commission funded initiatives in Framework Programme 5, 6, 7, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Célia has a long track record of working with universities and the business community across Europe, advising on innovation, knowledge transfer and tackling skills/development issues. Célia holds two Masters’ degrees (Hons) in Management of European Policies & Programmes from Cergy Paris Université (France) and in International Policy and Diplomacy from Staffordshire University (UK). She also graduated with a Public Affairs Diploma (NQF Level 7) by the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Célia is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). She speaks fluent French, English and Italian and some Spanish and German.
Mr Yalın Gülbahar
Associate
Mr. Yalın Gülbahar is an Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd based in Germany. He is an experienced EU Grant and Funding Manager with over eight years of expertise in proposal writing, project evaluation, project coordination, and implementation across various EU, and other international funding programmes. He has supported organizations and individuals in securing and managing grants from early-stage concept development to application and to final reporting. He brings a strong track record of securing funding, building consortiums, and delivering impactful results in across diverse research profiles. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, he offers tailored consultancy and training services to researchers, universities, and companies across Europe and beyond.
Ms Cristina Gómez
Associate
Ms Cristina Gómez is an Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd based in Madrid. She holds a degree in Promotion and Management of International R&D&I Projects and Actions (UPM, 2013) and a Master’s Degree in International Development Cooperation (UNIR, 2022). She has been involved with national and international initiatives in the field of human resources in research and research mobility for more than 15 years (EURAXESS, training and mentoring actions with Latin America and the Caribbean region). She was the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions National Contact Point and National Representative for Spain from 2014 to 2023 and has wide experience and knowledge supporting individuals and institutions applying to Framework Programmes, from proposal writing to project management.
Dr Soraia Caetano
Associate
Dr Soraia Caetano is an Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd based in Portugal. She holds a PhD in Biology and has over 8 years experience as a researcher. She has shifted her focus to innovation and entrepreneurship taking advantage of her scientific background. She is deeply involved in capacity building and acceleration programs dedicated to startups, research groups and young entrepreneurs. She has mentored startups and research groups and participated as a jury member of acceleration and educational programs. She has participated in European projects with large consortiums and actively contributed to the development of European grant applications. Since 2022, she has been an evaluator of applications for the CAIXAIMPULSE program, from “la Caixa” Foundation.
Dr Laleh Esfandiari
Associate
Dr Laleh Esfandiari is an associate at Trend 2000 Ltd, based in Italy. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics, specializing in Cognitive Neurolinguistics, and has over a decade of experience teaching research methods and statistics at the university level, as well as conducting multidisciplinary research in the social and life sciences. Additionally, she holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), with a focus on foreign direct investment, internationalization of SMEs, and digital innovation. She has also worked as a project coordinator in EU-funded projects in Italy. Her business career includes roles as a trade analyst at the Italian Trade Agency in the Italian Embassy, and as a business developer in international companies. Her diverse experience in academia and industry has enabled her to contribute to international business, project management, and support of research projects in several areas.
Cristina Gracia
Associate
Ms Cristina Gracia is an Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd based in Madrid. She holds a degree in Biology (Universidad de Oviedo, 2005) and a degree in Promotion and Management of International R&D&I Projects and Actions (UPM, 2017).
She has been involved with national and international initiatives in the field of human resources in research and research mobility for more than 5 years: EURAXESS coordination, Human Resources in Research Charter and code, and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions National Contact Point.
She is experienced both in assessing and supporting individuals, public research institutions and private companies in the preparation and monitorization of international research and innovation projects.
Dr Sara Costa
Associate
Dr Sara Costa is an Associate of Trend 2000 Ltd based in Portugal. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences (2023) and has over ten years of experience in scientific research, complemented by two years as a project manager of international research and innovation initiatives. She has worked across multiple fields including microbiology, biophysics, plant biology, and genome editing, contributing to high-impact projects such as an ERC Consolidator Grant during her doctoral work.
Her project management experience includes supporting Horizon Europe, H2020, MSCA, Erasmus, and foundation-funded projects, ensuring smooth implementation, compliance, and timely reporting. Throughout her research and project coordination roles, she has organized scientific meetings, facilitated collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and supported the effective functioning of international research projects. She brings strong expertise in international project coordination, scientific strategy, and operational support for research teams and institutions across Europe.
Dr. Ceren Kutlu Kaya
Associate
Dr. Ceren Kutlu Kaya has been an accomplished Project Manager since 2012 and a scientific researcher with a proven track record of driving innovation through strategic grant acquisition and end-to-end project execution. Holding a PhD (2020) in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering from Istanbul Technical University, alongside BSc (2008) and MSc (2011) degrees in Bioengineering, she seamlessly bridges complex scientific R&D with practical management. Her expertise spans securing funds from premier international and national programs, developing data-driven performance tracking tools, and delivering actionable insights to public bodies and executive boards.
Beyond her primary management responsibilities, Dr. Kutlu Kaya is a certified consultant and an active expert evaluator for the Horizon Europe EIC Accelerator Programme, utilizing her deep expertise to assess high-impact proposals. She also previously served as an Associate Ambassador for the Horizon Europe-funded RM ROADMAP Project. Her robust career includes pivotal roles in academia and technology transfer, such as managing an impressive volume of ~120 grant applications per year at the university level. Dedicated to knowledge sharing, she actively mentors researchers, students, and private companies in impactful proposal writing, fostering robust R&D ecosystems and maximizing their global funding success.