Horizon 2020 -...

Horizon 2020Tips for building a winning proposal

Vincent ChauvetGeneral Manager, LGI Consulting

[email protected]

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© LGI Consulting 2014

The participant portal

Information on latest news

Information on open calls for

proposals

Information on how to prepare a proposal and

apply for EU research funding

Information on how to work as

an expert

Information and support

Tip #1: explore the participant portal


At least one expert in the consortium should be aware of the general applicable texts & guidelines:

• Legal basis – Framework Programme H2020

• Legal basis – Rules for Participation

• Legal basis – Specific Programme H2020

Read at least once the specific texts:

• WP H2020 – Introduction

• WP H2020 – General Annexes

Read in depth the call topic:

• WP H2020 – Specific work programme / Topic

The call documents

Tip #2: know the applicable documents


Find an idea corresponding to the call

Find a call matching the idea

IdeaH2020

Call

Project

Proposal

1

2

Tip #3: build a proposal strategy

• In line with the call text and EC expectations

• In line with your strategy / the partners strategies

Proposal preparation General tips


The call’s text is the guiding reference

The proposal must fit with the objectives, expected impact & project characteristics

Follow the formal indications from the Guidelines


Tip #4: match the call requirements


Finding the best partners and convincing them may take a long time and needs anticipation

If possible, use the publication of draft work programmes months before the official call opening in order to start working on the concept and contact an initial group of core partners. At the time of the call publication, you will then have a project idea already developed

Adapting or inventing something new “at the last minute” rarely works


Tip #5: anticipate as much as possible


Ensure that your project will add value at European scale, not just addressing specificities in your country or region

Be fully aware of the EU’s expectations Read the EU’s recent strategic documents in the field Understand the unwritten expectations by consulting with

an EU officer or with established networks such as NCPs or ETPs

Your consortium will need some geographical balance but this does not mean that it will have to represent all regions of Europe!


Tip #6: Make sure your project is European


…and demonstrate that you do Carry out a “research / technology watch” to be knowledgeable on the

latest developments in the field – your project must be breakthrough or innovative (*) -- if your proposal duplicates similar research already done or in progress in Europe, it has no chance of success

Identify recent publications (peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings) and refer to them in the proposal (in a dedicated section, such as footnotes or in appendix)

Check the EC’s Cordis database for past and current funded EU projects in the area: this will allow avoiding duplication and may be a source for ideas and partners

It will also prove to be useful to know developments outside Europe and to be aware of the priorities given by other regions (US, Asia…)

(*) this does not necessarily apply to ‘coordination & support actions’


Tip #7: know the state of the art in your field


• Specific: your project should aim at specific results and not be too general or be dispersed in too many directions, losing consistency

• Measurable: expected results must be quantified, in terms of technical progress, as well as non-technological impact (economic, societal, environmental…)

• Attainable: the expected results, even if ambitious, can reasonably be reached in the project timeframe

• Relevant: the objectives are in line with the project strategy and expectations by ‘customers’ (the EU, industry…)

• Timely: objectives are to be reached by the end of the project, not in a follow-up sequence


Tip #8: define SMART objectives


Establish a detailed retro-planning, targeting a first submission one week before the call deadline (successive versions are allowed in order to fine-tune the proposal)

Define milestones in the proposal writing Identify as early as possible the key people who will be active contributors Appoint Work Package Leaders at this stage in order to delegate Make sure that key contributors commit to dedicating enough time especially in the 3

weeks prior to the deadline Organise possibly one or two physical meetings (at an early stage for strategic

discussions), and regular phone / web conferences (for operational coordination) Communication with contributors is based on email and templates for:

Description of the Work Packages Budgets Specific guidelines for some sections of Part B (partner descriptions, use of

resources, available infrastructures…)

DD-1w

DeadlineTargeted 1st

submission

D-2m

Consortiumclosed

Callopening

D-3w

Budgetsfrozen

D-3m

Proposalstrategy /concept

Tip #9: building a proposal is like a mini-project



Follow these criteria when assessing whether to invite potential partners1. Adequacy with the project’s objectives and complementary added-value2. Trust built on their prior collaboration with you or with other core partners3. Experience with international research projects:

• in the implementation of FP7 projects (or other EU funded research)• in an international environment, working in English (the language may

create barriers for a fruitful cooperation – a transnational partnership willhave to overcome triple distance barriers: geographic, linguistic andcultural)

4. Geographic complementarity: to add balance in country representation5. Potential for dissemination: links with established networks, influence…6. Link with national or regional authority supporting the projectDo not pick ‘friends’ just because they are friends!

In the event you are uncertain about a possible partner, carry out a quickbackground check (CORDIS’ database to identify previous participation in FPprojects; internet for general data)

Tip #10: pick the right partners



• AS LARGE AS NECESSARY, AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE!

• The size of the partnership has to be appropriate, depending on theproject’s characteristics (complexity, scope, budget…)

• Do not include partners for wrong reasons

• A typical small collaborative project can work with 5 to 10 partners,whereas the largest consortia could reach up to 50

• Basically, your group is complete when you have all the requiredpartners to address the technological objectives, and reach theexpected impact, while keeping the project manageable

Tip #11: know when your group is complete



• Show the potential impact of your project, in terms of business(economics, innovation, jobs) as well as environment, society, safety…

• Present detailed plans to reach this impact• If possible, embark the users of the project results, either as partner or in

advisory user groups – a budget-efficient way of increasing your impact• Show how you will address non-technological barriers to the market• Business modelling / financial planning work can be included as a task in

the proposal• In some cases, one partner can act as exploitation manager, independently

from the technology developers

• Consider all types of innovation:• Technology, service, social, business model, process, marketing…• Disruptive or incremental

Tip #12: demonstrate you will make a difference



First audience: external experts (the evaluators) Second audience: EU project officers

The evaluators will have to read through several proposals like yours; you have to raise their interest. Evaluators will typically spend a few hours on your proposal, not more!

Remember also that the evaluators are not necessarily from your specific industry! You need to explain your project concept in simple, not-for-experts words.

Evaluators will look at the business impact of your project!

Tip #13: keep in mind your two audiences



3C: Write clear, concise and concrete text

Keep It Short & Simple: the value of a document doesn’t mean it has to be long

Avoid the use of long and complicated sentences, break them down

But try not to state the obvious

Avoid ambiguity (don’t confuse the reader)

Prefer active verbs to passive ones, use positive forms rather than negative

All abbreviations / acronyms must be developed / explained on the first occurrence

Harmonise language and fonts

Illustrate

Figures (graphs, schematics, tables) should be inserted as much as possible

Make sure they stay understandable when printed in black & white

Use standard numbering practice and include a table of figures in the document

Tip #14: market your proposal



The SME Instrument is very specific in terms of objectives and applicable rules & funding

Essentially designed to support innovative SMEs demonstrated business impact is the first criterion

Some of the tips exposed here apply (innovation, business impact, European dimension or potential…)

… but not all (consortium not an obligation, specific funding rules…)

Instrument for SMEs



How can we assist you?

LGI Consulting can help with Proposal writing Collaborative project management SME Instrument Phase 1: market studies, business

modelling, innovation strategy, European partnering.. Public communication Web solutions for your project or your innovation

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION


About LGI Consulting European innovation consultancy created in 2005 Based in Paris, Brussels, Valencia, Marseille Staff of 20, network of 500 experts & partnersOur involvement in EU research & innovation Track record of more than 30 funded EU projects since FP6 70% success rate in grant applicationsLGI in the transport & mobility sector Approx. 20% of our activity Member of Mov’eo

[email protected] | www.lgi-consulting.com

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Education & Social

4% Health5%

Process industry6%

ICT12%

Smart cities12%

Automotive & Transport

13%

Aeronautics, Space, Security

and Defence 14%

Energy & Environment

34%

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Sectors of intervention


• CEA • CNRS • INRIA• Inserm• JRC• Leitat• MTA-EK• NRG• UJV • VTT

• Atheneum Partners• Calayan• Chaïkana• ConceptSpine• ElecBiomasa• Environics• Gillemot• IES• IUT GmbH• Outreach• Theïa Partners• Vasseur

• UA Barcelona• Bulgarian Academy

of Science• U. Cambridge• UMG Catanzaro• ESIEE Amiens• Universiteit Gent • U. Leeds • U. Paris I Sorbonne• U. Picardie J.Verne

Universities & Higher education

• ADEME• Etablissement

Français du Sang• European

Commission• IRSN

Publicsector

• EERA• FNE (France Nature

Environnement)• IRTS• Mov’eo• NUGENIA

NGOs &Associations

Startups& SMEs

Research & TechnologyOrganisations

Our clients

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Largefirms

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