EU Funding Readiness

Autumn EU funding readiness: six questions to answer before starting a proposal

A good technology or research idea is not automatically a fundable project. Before you commit resources to an autumn call, work through a short, honest readiness check.

The gap between a great idea and a fundable project

Every autumn, teams across Europe rush to submit proposals for calls that opened months earlier. Many carry genuinely strong science and technology. Yet evaluators do not score ideas; they score projects: work that is technically credible, commercially or societally relevant, properly partnered, and backed by evidence.

The questions below are the same ones we ask in an initial consultation. They apply across programmes, from Horizon Europe and Eurostars to the EIC and national schemes, and they surface the gaps that most often cost a proposal its funding. Answer them honestly before you start writing.

Is the project scope agreed internally?

Leadership, technical and finance all recognise the same project, not three different versions of it.

Is there a clear funding rationale?

You can explain why this needs public funding now, and why this programme is the right fit.

Are partners and roles confirmed?

The consortium is real and committed, with each partner’s contribution and responsibility defined.

Is the commercial or societal impact measurable?

Impact is expressed in concrete, evidenced terms: numbers, users, markets and outcomes, not ambition alone.

Is there enough time for review and iteration?

The timeline allows drafting, critical review and revision, rather than a rushed submission in the final week.

Has someone tested it against the evaluation criteria?

The proposal has been read against the call’s actual scoring criteria, by someone who was not writing it.

Where does you project land?

Download the PDF and count how many times you can answer yes confidently

5–6 yeses

Ready to apply

The foundations are in place. Focus on sharpening the narrative and the fit to the evaluation criteria.

3–4 yeses

Potentially ready, gaps remain

A workable base with real risks. Close the gaps deliberately before you commit resources.

0–2 yeses

Too early for this call

Start preparing for the next one. Early positioning wins the following round.

Not sure whether your project is ready?

Speak with our team before committing resources to the application. We work across programmes to find the right fit. Tell us about your project and we will be in touch.