horizon 2020 - education.gouv.fr · 2014-06-04 · h2020 call project proposal 1 2 tip #3: build a...
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Horizon 2020Tips for building a winning proposal
Vincent ChauvetGeneral Manager, LGI Consulting
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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
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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
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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
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
Tip #4: match the call requirements
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
Tip #5: anticipate as much as possible
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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!
Proposal preparation General tips
Tip #6: Make sure your project is European
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…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’
Proposal preparation General tips
Tip #7: know the state of the art in your field
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• 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
Proposal preparation General tips
Tip #8: define SMART objectives
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
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• 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
Proposal preparation General tips
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• 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
Proposal preparation General tips
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
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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
Proposal preparation General tips
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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
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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
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• 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
• Air Liquide• Allianz• ArcelorMittal• AREVA• Bekaert• BNP Paribas• COWI• DCNS• EDF• E.ON• GDF SUEZ• Geodis• Motorola
Largefirms
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