How to Write a Winning H2020 Proposal

SME Instrument Phase 1

What is the SME Instrument? • Horizon 2020 programme for funding innovative SMEs

• Aim: to fill the gaps in funding and to accelerate the exploitation of innovation

• 3 billion EUR of funding available over the period 2014-2020

•  740 million EUR in 2016-2017 should benefit around 2000 SMEs

Main Characteristics • Only SMEs are allowed to apply for funding • For the first time in the history of EU funding, a single SME can apply directly for funding

• Simple rules and procedures • Continuously open call with 4 cut-off dates per year

• No obligation to sequentially cover all phases • Activities at TRL 6 or above

The Three Phases PHASE 1 Feasibility assessment

PHASE 2 Innovation project

PHASE 3 Commercialisation

-  10 pages -  6 months -  50 000 EUR -  up to 3 coaching days

-  30 pages -  1–2 years -  0,5–2,5 Million EUR -  up to 12 coaching

days

-  support services -  networking

opportunities -  no direct funding

What is Phase 1 About? •  Explore the scientific or technical feasibility and

commercial potential of the innovation. •  Project has to be aligned to the business strategy of the

company. •  Funding is provided in the form of a lump sum of EUR

50.000. •  Projects should last around 6 months. •  Activities: proof of technical and commercial viability, risk

assessment, development of pilot application, design of market study, user involvement studies, IP exploration, partner search, study of requirements for additional expertise, and the like.

•  The expected outcome of the project is a feasibility study (technical and commercial), including a business innovation plan, recommendations for additional innovation activities, and private financing needs.

Call Topics 2016-2017: Call ID Topic SMEInst-01-2016-2017 Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme

SMEInst-02-2016-2017 Nanotechnologies, advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies

SMEInst-03-2016-2017 Dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market

SMEInst-04-2016-2017 Space research and development

SMEInst-05-2016-2017 Healthcare biotechnology

SMEInst-06-2016-2017 ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well

SMEInst-07-2016-2017 Sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors

SMEInst-08-2016-2017 Innovative solutions for blue growth

SMEInst-09-2016-2017 Low carbon and efficient energy system

SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Transport and Smart Cities Mobility

SMEInst-11-2016-2017 Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials

SMEInst-12-2016-2017 New business models for inclusive, innovative and reflective societies

SMEInst-13-2016-2017 Engaging SMEs in security research and development

Cut-off Dates 2016-2017

• 2016: • 24 February • 3 May •  7 September • 9 October

• 2017: •  15 February • 3 May • 6 September • 8 November

Target Companies •  for-profit SMEs •  established in the EU Member states or countries

associated with Horizon 2020 • must have fewer than 250 employees and an annual

turnover of no more than 50 million EUR AND/OR an annual balance sheet of no more than 43 million EUR

Target companies are innovative SMEs, capable of developing the proposed innovation and take it to the market that cannot find immediate financing on the

market because of their high-risk character!

Why you Should Apply? •  To open your way to new markets. •  To improve the image of your company and rank among

the best European SMEs. •  To gain visibility at a European and global level. •  To access professional business/management coaching. •  To establish new contacts in an innovative and

competitive environment. •  To benefit from great networking opportunities. •  To access substantial funding. •  To gain support for follow-up financing.

Evaluation Process

•  CRITERIA: ü Impact (economic impact on the users of the innovation, the

applicants and the European economy) ü Excellence (description of the problem; project approach,

activities and goals; features and advantages of the innovation; description of state-of-the-art; main technical and commercial risks)

ü Quality of Implementation (sound and comprehensive description of work; availability of relevant resources)

•  PHASE 1 THRESHOLD: •  Individual criteria: 4/5 •  Overall score: 13/15

Success Rate Per EU Member State

EU average: 7.3% Source: European Commission, Horizon 2020 First results

Some Elements of Winning Proposals

• Convincing business opportunity • Business oriented approach and structure • Evaluation-friendly proposal • High credibility of information • A compelling abstract • Engaging visual appearance

Discover the tools that will improve your SME Instrument Phase 1 proposal!

SME-1 Guidebook SME-1 Proposal Templates

SME-1 Self-assessment Tool SME-1 Proposal Clinic

With the guidebook you will be able to: ü step-by-step lead the team that

prepares the proposal ü develop the right strategy for the

proposal ü replicate the best practices used

by winning SME Instrument proposals

ü design optimal formatting and document structuring

ü understand the evaluation process  and exact evaluation criteria 

ü save enormous time  otherwise spent on getting through 450+ pages of documentation available online

With the template you will be able to: ü answer to all necessary

questions and include essential elements, ensuring that you do not make one of the fatal mistakes - missing out any key information

ü present data with editable visuals

ü make the best use of formatting and visuals

ü save your energy and time spent on styling

ü focus entirely on the content, instead of spending your time on layout and formatting

With the self-assessment tool you will be able to: ü recognize the strengths and

weaknesses of your proposal ü recognize and avoid mistakes

that could kill your proposal ü understand the full potential of

your innovation ü better allocate your time and

effort when preparing the proposal

ü prepare a winning SME-1 proposal in accordance with actual evaluation criteria

With the proposal clinic you will be able to: ü improve your proposal through tips from

experienced SME experts, who will simulate the official evaluation procedure and give you 20 recommendations for the improvement of your proposal

ü understand the strengths and weaknesses and overall potential of your proposal through one hour of consultation with experienced SME expert

ü focus on the important elements of the proposal

ü meet the real evaluation criteria, which will significantly improve your proposal scores

Toolboxes Full Package Pro Toolbox Basic Toolbox •  Manual •  Proposal template •  Self-assessment

tool •  Proposal Clinic

•  Manual •  Proposal template •  Self-assessment

tool

•  Manual •  Proposal template

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