Tips for applying for EU Funding
Making an application for an EU funding programme can be quite daunting.
People may start by looking at a long and detailed application form and, quite frankly, panicking.
So let me give you some tips on how to go through the process.
The first thing is not to get focused on the application form,
in reality it is one of the last thing you are actually going to need.
Each project starts off with a really good idea.
The best ones have identified a real and current problem or issue
and want to find real solutions to this.
Start with the idea and then build up your project from there.
So the first step is to write up a short, 2-3 page, project specification.
What is the problem, who has it, what can be done, by whom and roughly how much might it all cost.
Take this short project description and share it with your colleagues, bosses or board depending on circumstances.
You need to have everybody internally on board before talking to anyone outside your organisation.
If you get agreement then the next step is to talk to the national contact person
for the programme you are interested in applying for.
They can tell you very quickly if it meets their criteria
or what you need to adapt to their criteria.
Also, whether if it has been done before and get a sense of how viable the application might be.
The contact person cannot tell you to make an application as they are all open competitions
but they can guide as to reasons the application might not get passed initial screening.
So at this point you have a short project description that you have got internal agreement on
and the national contact person has not guided against.
Your next step is to find partners.
There are many ways to do this including being part of a European network,
a linkedin group or a facebook group or using personal contacts
but finding suitable partners is key to making the application.
Normally you share your project description with interested parties and they come back to you.
Now I would always recommend, resources allowing, to have an actual partner meeting
so that you get a sense of the people invovled.
Remember you will be working with these people for up to 3 years
so interpersonal reltionships are very important.
If you find your partners then you need to work up a very detailed project description.
I would also tell the national contact person of your progress at that point.
In the first instance write up the application in a simple word document.
You can cut and paste into the long-winded application form later.
Better to have a working document that people can actually understand. 38 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:37,000 When you have all your information then cut, paste and write up the application forms.
The draft application forms should be sent to partners for final agreement.
I would also ask the national contact person to have a quick look at it and point out areas of improvement,
if they are willing and able to do so.
With the application form, you will also need to have all partners registered with a PIC (id code)
and making sure that all the partners paperwork is in order and this can takes time.
Always, get the final application in a day before the deadline
so if there are any difficulties they can be addresses.
Many a good project has lost out by being 10 minutes late.
Usually, there is an initial screening done by the national agency invovled
to make sure that everything is in order
and they may ask for addiitonal information at this stage before the applications
are sent to the expert assessment committee to assess.
It is this committee that normally decides which projects get funding and which do not.
The 2 step application process requires that you write a shorter stage-one application,
usually about 10 pages long.
They assess the different ideas, decide which they like
and then ask them to complete the detailed application in the second stage.
It just means that the entire process is broken into two stages rather than one.
I think it goes without saying that these applications are for organisations that are seriously interested.
The faint of heart will not follow a detailed application process to its end.
You need time, planning, resources and if you do not have the expertise internally
then get some professional help.
Needless to say that this is where I say that my contact details will follow shortly
and if I can be of assiatnce then please make contact.
However, in most applications you need staff, core funding and good partners with a good idea.
Please don't chase funding...the process of seeing an application deadline coming up soon
and try and write up something quickly and under pressure.
You can always tell the thought out applications against the ones thrown together quickly.
If you are interested in European funding then join some appropriate networks or groups.
Look at applications well in advance and only apply for programnes that meet your core mission.
The application takes time but delivering a 2 year project
takes considerable resources, time and energy.
I will be doing another video on tips for running a successful EU project
which you might also find of interest.
In the meantime, I hope you found this useful and good luck with your projects.
www.fundingmaster.eu ken@fundingmaster.eu