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Top proposal-writing tips for Horizon Europe

Competition for EU funding is tough and only the best proposals succeed. Here, in the second of a two-part blog series, Kay Duggan-Walls, National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe, Cluster 1: Health with the Health Research Board, details how to write a proposal to succeed.

Horizon Europe logo
1. Formulate your proposal idea

When devising your proposal idea, map out your responses to the key questions below. This will form the basis of your proposal. Remember that the call topic is the problem defined by the European Commission, and your proposal is the solution. With that in mind, it’s crucial to understand, identify and demonstrate where your proposal fits, how it addresses a new or unsolved health research challenge, and how the idea links with the expected impacts as outlined in the Work Programme.

The key questions to map out are:

  • What problem are you trying to solve?
  • Is it a European problem?
  • Why are current solutions not addressing the problem and what makes yours different?
  • What’s the urgency of this work, why now and what will be the outcome if your research isn’t undertaken?
  • What’s the scale of the problem, the number of citizens affected, and is there a need for broader cooperation across Europe?
2. The nuts and bolts

When writing the application, keep referring to the call topic and the key wording used within the call text. Ensure you remain within the scope of the topic. No matter how innovative your idea is and how beneficial it may be, if it doesn’t match the scope, it won’t succeed. Equally important is outlining clear aims and objectives indicating what you propose to do and how. Ensure these are measurable, verifiable and achievable. Explain how your proposal is unique and how it builds on any existing or similar research, products, or processes.

Above all, ensure your ideas are innovative and ambitious. The methodology must also be clearly outlined, ensuring the underlying concepts, models and assumptions are credible. Give as much relevant detail as possible. For example, for clinical trials, include recruitment numbers, inclusion/exclusion criteria, the power of the study, etc. Read over the proposal to see how it flows and have someone outside your discipline read it too – if they can’t understand your objectives, neither will the evaluators.

3. Impact matters

The European Commission has adopted a new approach to evaluating impact in Horizon Europe (Key Impact Pathways). This makes it more important than ever to show how your proposal tangibly contributes to clearly identified outcomes for public good beyond the immediate scope and duration of your project. Show how your project results will make a difference in terms of outcomes and impacts as specified in the Work Programme and describe credible pathways to achieving this impact. Watch this video on writing a successful proposal for Horizon Europe for guidance.

The results of your proposal should create an impact at EU level or beyond. This can include wider long-term effects on society, economic growth, job creation, or progression in a scientific field. Quantify the impact of your research wherever possible and specify target groups that will benefit. Articulate what you plan to do to maximise the impact of your proposal regarding dissemination, implementation and communication activities.

4. Write with the evaluators in mind

Grab their attention in the first half page. In this introductory paragraph, sell your proposal and explain to the evaluator why they should bother with your project. Set out what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, what the outcome will be and why you are the best people to do the work. Ideally the reviewer should know at this point whether they will give approval for funding. Reading the entire proposal should then just become a matter of deepening their opinion.

Be as concise and precise as possible, explaining your research in simple terms and avoid jargon as it can irritate evaluators. Instead, use straightforward, plain language. Not all evaluators will be experts in your topic, but they will be experienced scientists in the discipline. Alternatively, you may have an evaluator who is a real expert in your discipline, so your ideas need to be credible and based on a sound theoretical foundation. Also keep in mind that not all evaluators have English as their first language, so make sure to use straightforward language. Lastly, make it easy for evaluators to find information by referring to specific work packages and milestones etc.

5. Practical considerations

Familiarise yourself with EU policy priorities such as the Green Deal and A Europe fit for the digital age as well as the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024. They may be useful to reference.  Remember, a clear informative visual speaks a thousand words, so make your proposal engaging by adding tables and diagrams.  Respect the page limits and the order of the various sections using the template provided, and avoid unnecessary repetition and contradictory statements. Finally, don’t forget to check spelling and grammar.

6. Get in touch with a National Contact Point

NCPs are experienced in reviewing proposals. They can advise you on how your proposal fits within the call, how to write the impact section, and the dissemination and communications sections. They can also guide you on general language and the presentation and layout of your proposal, and provide you with background information that will enhance your application.

This blog was authored by Kay Duggan-Walls, NCP for Horizon Europe: Cluster 1 Health with the HRB. Kay's first blog in this two-part series gave her top tips for applying to Horizon Europe’s Cluster 1: Health. For dedicated advice and guidance on Horizon Europe, contact Kay at kdugganwalls@hrb.ie or +353 1 234 5187.

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