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About the Author: Adrian Escribano

Adrián holds a PhD in Biology from the Complutense University of Madrid (ES), a Master's degree in Evolutionary Biology and is passionate about science and innovation. For the last 8 years Adrián has worked as an innovation consultant, including proposal writing and participation in funded projects. Adrian's experience allows him to collaborate in all stages of the Horizon Europe program, from the ideation of the proposal to the end of the project justification. In addition, his scientific profile is key to translate the academic language to the format required in European projects.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6, where the bioeconomy and agrifood sector converge, strategic insights based on the available data are instrumental for securing funding in a competitive environment. By inspecting the latest call figures from 2023 and 2024, applicants can learn crucial lessons to enhance their competitiveness and improve their prospects of success.

In our earlier blog post, we delved into the success rate and average budget of the first 2024 call for proposals within Cluster 6, whose last deadline for submission was on 28th February. In this post, we provide constructive recommendations for prospective applicants for the upcoming calls under the European funding framework.

Proposals in numbers 2023/2024 Q1

Comparisons with previous years offer valuable insights into funding trends and resource allocation strategies. For 2023, € 798 million were available for Cluster 6 while in the calls for 2024, their budget available was 9% lower (€ 730 million). The average budget per granted project is lower in 2024 (€ 5,024,368.32) compared to the average in 2023 (€ 5,656,371.41).

CALL FIGURES 2023 2024 Q1
No. of topics 106 75
No. of grants available 142 135
Total budget € 798.000.000 € 730.000.000
Average budget / grant € 5.656.371,41 € 5.024.368,32
No of submitted proposals 452 1333
Success rate 31,4% 10,1%

Understanding the Shifts

The transition from single-stage to two-stage calls in 2024 has significantly impacted the application process within Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6. This change has led to an influx of proposals at the initial submission stage, boosting participation rates but slightly lowering the overall success rate. The shift to two-stage calls has introduced new dynamics, compelling applicants to refine their strategies to navigate the evolving evaluation landscape effectively.

Analysis of Success Rates: Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Proposals

Breaking down the success rates into single-stage and two-stage proposals across various destination areas within Cluster 6 offers insightful perspectives on the competitiveness and efficacy of submissions. While single-stage proposals demonstrate a comparatively higher success rate at 25%, two-stage proposals exhibit a lower average success rate of 6%. This disparity underscores the nuanced evaluation criteria and heightened competition faced by applicants engaging in the multi-stage assessment process. A notable contrast between single-stage and two-stage proposals!

The breakdown across destination areas underscores the varying success rates across different thematic domains within Cluster 6. Understanding the landscape can guide applicants in tailoring their proposals to align effectively with the specific evaluation criteria and objectives of each destination area.

5 Recommendations and tips for successful proposals

  • Innovative Ideas

    Innovative ideas are the cornerstone of success in Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6. By presenting groundbreaking solutions and pushing the boundaries of conventional approaches, applicants can capture the attention of evaluators and demonstrate their capacity to address complex challenges effectively. An original and inventive proposal not only sets you apart from competitors but also highlights your ability to drive meaningful change within the bioeconomy and agrifood sector.

    Tip1: Keep in mind the type of action of your topic; RIAs, IAs and CSAs are not the same!

  • Multidisciplinary Consortium

    Forming a collaborative consortium comprising diverse expertise is essential for maximizing the impact of your proposal. By bringing together professionals from various disciplines, you can leverage a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills to tackle multifaceted issues comprehensively. A cohesive and synergistic consortium not only strengthens the credibility of your proposal but also enhances its potential for achieving tangible outcomes and fostering innovation in the sector.

    Tip2: Check eligibility conditions and understand the terms (Beneficiary, Affiliated entity, Associated country, multi-actor approach), involve all actors in the value-chain.

  • Alignment with Topic Scope

    Ensuring alignment with the specific scope of the chosen topic is a key element of a successful proposal. By meticulously addressing the outlined challenges and illustrating how your project directly aligns with the objectives of the call, you can underscore the relevance and significance of your proposal. A clear and targeted alignment with the topic scope not only enhances the clarity of your proposal but also resonates with evaluators.

    Tip3: Cover all “must” and “should” in the topic, each word counts!

  • Budget Alignment

    Developing a meticulously planned budget that aligns seamlessly with the proposed activities is crucial for the viability of your proposal. By allocating resources judiciously and demonstrating a clear understanding of the financial requirements of the project, you can give confidence to evaluators regarding the feasibility and sustainability of your proposed tasks. A well-structured budget that aligns with the project scope and objectives not only enhances the credibility of your proposal but also underscores your strategic approach to resource management.

    Tip4: Understand eligible costs and adjust the budget to each task. Make a detailed estimation as possible considering the duration of the tasks and the person-month rates of the participating entities.

  • Understanding Evaluation Criteria

    Familiarizing yourself with the evaluation criteria is essential for tailoring your proposal to meet the expectations of reviewers effectively. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the key metrics used to assess proposals, you can strategically position your project, emphasize its strengths, and address potential gaps proactively. Adhering closely to the evaluation criteria increases the likelihood of receiving a favourable evaluation and enhances your chances of securing funding within the competitive landscape of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6.

    Tip5: Use all resources available! Info days, workshops, documentation, webinars, NCPs,…

TO CONCLUDE,

Navigating the evolving terrain of Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 demands a strategic and integrated approach including innovation, collaboration, strategic alignment, budgetary precision, and adherence to evaluation criteria. By embracing these key principles and leveraging the insights derived from the latest call figures, applicants can strengthen their proposals, seize opportunities, and drive impactful innovation and maximize their potential for success in securing funding within the bioeconomy and agrifood sector.

Stay informed, keep innovating, and set the roadmap to success in Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6.