Most common reasons for rejection

Vague descriptions
Some sections of the proposal lack enough detail to establish credibility (e.g. the consortium’s capacity, the risk & contingencies, the pathways toward impacts section)

Overambitious research projects
The project is overambitious for different reasons, including the research plan is too extensive to be implemented within the grant’s timeframe, some tasks lack enough precedent to be credible, or the partners lack the expertise to implement specific tasks.

Incomplete
The proposal does not convincingly address all the critical points (see below)

Heterogenous development
The proposal fully develops some sections and neglects others

Readability issues
The proposal is difficult to read: complicated organisation of ideas, intricate text flow, or language not adapted to the audience

How we can help you maximise your chances of success

We analyse how well your proposal addresses the following critical points:

Overarching aim
The project’s overarching aim and purpose perfectly align with the focus, scope and expected impacts of the call.

Project objectives
The defined R&I objectives are clear, specific, ambitious, realistically achievable, measurable, verifiable, and connect with the project’s main purpose.

Ambition of the research plan
The research plan is innovative, sound, suitable to achieve the R&I objectives, and demonstrates solid grounding.

Implementation
The project’s timelines and work plan, including exploitation and dissemination actions and project monitoring are coherent and effective.

Composition of the consortium
The consortium has highly innovative potential, and possesses the appropriate diversity in terms of sectors, disciplines, infrastructure, and expertise necessary to implement the research programme.

Risk positioning
The potential risks of the project are well-identified and solid contingencies are in place to make it bulletproof.

Pathways toward impacts
The proposal thoroughly describes the significant magnitude and credibility of the project’s scientific, societal, and economic impacts that extend beyond its time frame.

Text flow
The proposal is well-structured, easy to read, and enjoyable and presents a coherent flow of ideas.

More generally…
We will also assess the description of the gender dimension, open science measures, data and research output management, dissemination, communication and exploitation.