One of the biggest mistakes a spin-out or SME can make is looking for “the funding”. Because there probably isn’t one pot of money that will take an innovation from where it is today all the way to a sustainable, growing business. In reality, business growth is usually much more fragmented than that. You might
When collaboration strengthens a proposal—and when it weakens it. “We need a partner.” It’s something I hear surprisingly often when organisations start thinking about a funding application. But my first question is usually: Why? Sometimes collaboration is essential. The funding call may require it, or the project genuinely needs expertise, facilities, data, access to customers,
FUNDING CLINIC #4 – “DO WE REALLY NEED PARTNERS?” Read More »
In Horizon Europe, the gender dimension isn’t just about who is on your project team. It’s about whether sex and gender could influence your research, your innovation — and ultimately, the impact you create. In recent posts, I have explored why great ideas don’t always get funded, how to build stronger consortia, what Excellence really
In Horizon Europe, impact isn’t something you add in once the research is designed. The strongest proposals think about who will benefit, what needs to change and how that change will happen — from the very beginning, and not as a last minute after thought. Over the last few weeks, I’ve explored why great ideas
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : PART 5 – IMPACT STARTS BEFORE YOU WRITE Read More »
A higher TRL doesn’t automatically mean a better innovation or service. Understanding where your technology or service idea sits on the readiness scale — and what funders expect at each stage — can make all the difference to your funding strategy. In Part 4 of my Inside Horizon Europe series, I explored what “Excellence” really
Previously, I’ve explored why great ideas don’t always get funded, the importance of building the right consortium and how to decide whether your organisation should coordinate or join a project. This time, I’d like to challenge another common misconception. Myth: “Excellence is simply about having great science or innovative technology.” Not quite. Of course, Horizon
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : PART 4 – EXCELLENCE AND WHAT IT REALLY MEANS Read More »
Leading a Horizon Europe bid can bring influence, visibility and strategic control — but it also comes with significant responsibility. Sometimes, the smarter choice is to join the right consortium rather than coordinate it. In previous posts, I’ve explored why great ideas don’t always get funded and why building the right consortium matters more than
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : PART 3 – SHOULD YOU LEAD OR JOIN A BID? Read More »
Following the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, many researchers, universities, businesses and innovation organisations have been asking the same question: “What does this mean for UK participation in European collaborative funding?” The answer is encouraging—but it also requires a shift in mindset. Horizon Europe represents a significant opportunity for UK organisations to collaborate internationally, access
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : SPECIAL EDITION – UK ORGANISATIONS IN HORIZON EUROPE Read More »
A strong consortium is about far more than assembling impressive names. The right partners bring complementary expertise, credible roles and the collective capability to deliver what the call is asking for. There is something quite magical about the synergistic combination of the right people, in the right place, at just the right time. Previously, I
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : PART 2 – THE ART OF BUILDING A WINNING CONSORTIUM Read More »
One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that if your research or innovation is excellent, funding will naturally follow. If only it were that simple. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with researchers, universities, SMEs and international consortia on Horizon Europe and its predecessor programmes. One lesson stands out above all others: Excellence
INSIDE HORIZON EUROPE : PART 1 – WHY GREAT IDEAS DON’T ALWAYS GET FUNDED Read More »
