BEST PRACTICES FOR EC RESEARCH PROPOSAL-WRITING

General Tips

There are general aspects of proposal development that you need to consider when writing an EC Proposal for Funding

• Read the work programme (and associated documents) to ensure your application fits with the funding call
• Consult the Guide for Applicants and any Work Programme-associated documents
• Make sure that you have answered all the questions and filled in all the sections (each form is different, depending on the Work Programme)
• For collaborations, meet with partners, allocate activities and define management/budgetary processes
• Involve both the researchers and research support in the proposal writing
• Ensure all aspects are addressed: science, socio-economic, management, integration, training, technology transfer, dissemination etc.
• Try to speak to the relevant desk officer, if possible to be clear about the proposal
• Ensure both science and management plans explain how the research will have an impact.
• Insert pictures (if appropriate) to lighten the application
• Does the application have a European dimension?
• Has the project got a catchy acronym? (Get it right first time- it cannot be changed)

 Specific Issues

There are also more detailed issues that must be addressed

• Write in a concise and readable manner
• Use a logical layout
• Your priorities should be quality, clear methodology, workplan and coordination
• Explain the concept, objectives, and aims of each work area and how these are connected
• Explain how you will implement the project: structure, procedures, allocation of budget/staff/equipment
• Describe the management structure of the consortium clearly
• Give information about each participant (one page; responsibility and experience)
• Give information about the consortium (4 pages; coordinator’s role and consortium structure)
• Demonstrate that resources are appropriately in place and/or integrated in financial and project planning (two pages)
• Highlight the impact of the research project (10 pages; the expected outputs, benefits to communities or groups, ways you plan to disseminate and/or exploit the results, how you will manage the intellectual property and engage with the public and stakeholders.
• Ethical issues
• Indicate how you will promote gender balance within the project and the research field
• Factor in some flexibility to allow you to amend the work plan later if necessary. Remember that the proposal will be the basis of you contract with the EC.