# LLMs-Full.txt - Full Content for Project Pages # Generated on: 2026-07-10T11:35:07.376Z # Total pages: 262 --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/matchmaking ### Title: Matchmaking ### Page ID: 9065323 ### Content: ### Matchmaking I run scouting for clients. The service in essense is search and intelligence for Check out the list below and see if there is anything you could be looking for. Searches for EU project consortia needing strong **startup reach**, **open call management**, **stakeholder engagement**, **dissemination**, **exploitation and coordination support**. Searches for proposals in **Cluster 2**, **Cluster 6** and **CBE JU calls**, especially where **SSH, circular economy, agri-food systems, rural development or digital transformation** expertise is needed. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - proposals under preparation - partners to fill in the partner value chain - coordinators - Open calls management / cascade funding - Stakeholder engagement & community building - Communication and dissemination - Exploitation, sustainability & impact - EU project coordination - Stakeholder engagement - Communication and dissemination - Commercial exploitation - IPR management - Field surveys --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/229 ### Title: #229 ### Page ID: 9519203 ### Content: ##### #229 Building Your Funding Team In episode **#229 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I’m joined by **Stephanie Harfensteller** and **David Christensen** for a practical conversation about what it actually takes to **build a funding team from scratch**. Stephanie has been building up the EU funding division at FIR since 2019, while David has been developing a project and funding function inside BOFA, a public waste management organisation on Bornholm. Coming from different institutional realities — one in a research environment, one in a municipality-linked public organisation — they share a surprisingly similar experience: if you want serious funding capacity, you cannot treat it as an administrative add-on. You need structure around proposal development, project execution and long-term positioning, and you need people who can move across all three. What makes the episode especially strong is that it stays with the reality of the work. We talk about recruitment, generalist versus specialist skills, junior-senior learning, knowledge management, management commitment and the fragility of teams built in project-based environments. Stephanie reflects on the difficulty of retaining and training researchers when careers move fast, while David shares the public-sector challenge of proving the value of innovation work inside an organisation more widely seen as operational and service-focused. Together, they offer honest reflections on patience, letting go of control, building trust-based teams and keeping a long-term funding strategy alive even when success rates drop and internal constraints tighten. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/case2 ### Title: Case2 ### Page ID: 9544185 ### Content: ## European Innovation & Startup Ecosystem Partner ##### Startup ecosystems ##### Open calls and cascade funding ##### Corporate innovation ##### Communication, dissemination and exploitation ##### Stakeholder engagement ##### EU project coordination ##### Deep tech and sector innovation ### Capacity offers ### Calls of interest This organisation helps founders, startups, corporates, researchers and innovation ecosystems grow — with the mission of solving pressing social, economic, environmental, sustainability and innovation challenges. The organisation operates one of the world’s largest corporate innovation communities, connecting **5.5m+ users**, supporting **1.6m+ tech startups**, and working with **4,000+ corporates** through its innovation framework. It partners with European entities to deliver high-quality, high-impact EU projects by combining platform reach, startup access, ecosystem building, open call management and project coordination experience. This European innovation partner brings together a strong operational platform, an international innovation community and hands-on EU project experience. The organisation has participated in **160+ EU projects over the last eight years**, including **13 projects as coordinator**, and brings a team of **85+ experienced professionals** with knowledge of EU funding, project execution, community building and commercialisation. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - Open call management / FSTP - Startup and SME engagement - Ecosystem building and clustering --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/230 ### Title: #230 ### Page ID: 9544189 ### Content: # WIN4SMES Series #### #230 WIN4SMES Live from Hamburg - COVEs in Real Life In episode **#230 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I do something different. This is a **documentary-style montage episode**, recorded live during a **WIN4SMES** partner event in Hamburg. Across soundscapes, short field recordings, participant voices and focused content interviews, the episode gives a grounded sense of what a **Centre of Vocational Excellence** project looks like in real life. WIN4SMES is an Erasmus+ CoVE project focused on **workplace innovation in SMEs**, with pilots across several countries working on how to widen the workforce pipeline and create better conditions for learning, inclusion and innovation. The project pays special attention to groups that are too often overlooked in SME development: women, newcomers, aspiring entrepreneurs and young people with disabilities. What makes this episode especially strong is that it moves between atmosphere and substance. We hear from the coordinator team about the training activities, from participants reflecting on design thinking, agile methods and AI in vocational practice, and from two pilots working very concretely with inclusion and entrepreneurship. The Hungarian pilot shows how an entrepreneurship camp helps highly talented young people move from innovation ideas to real business thinking. The Lithuanian pilot shows how hospitality businesses can open up work opportunities for young people with disabilities through practical support, mentoring and employer engagement. The episode closes with reflections from coordinator Max Hogeforster on how the different national COVEs are starting to connect more deeply across the project and how the umbrella CoVE is intended to carry this work forward beyond the funding period. 01:25 Arriving and introducing the training programme w/Anna Maria Czarny 19:13 The Hungary COVE - Supporting Entrepreneurship w/Tamás Rettich 28:20 The Lithuanian COVE - Young People with Disabilities w/Egle Lizaityte 48:16 WIN4SMES - Status and where it is moving w/Max Hogeforster - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/231 ### Title: #231 ### Page ID: 9581855 ### Content: ##### #231 Status on Widening in FP10 In episode **#231** I’m joined by **Thomas Brent** from **ScienceBusiness** for a status check on one of the more politically sensitive parts of the next framework programme: **Widening in FP10**. Thomas follows science and innovation policy closely from Brussels, and in this episode he helps unpack where the Widening debate actually stands right now. We begin with the old fault line that has shaped much of the discussion around Widening since its introduction in 2014: is it a legitimate part of an excellence-based framework programme, or is it really a form of capacity building that belongs elsewhere? The answer emerging in the current debate seems more settled than before: while some dissenting voices remain, the broader political mood has shifted toward accepting that Widening measures will remain part of the next programme. From there, the episode moves into the current negotiations and the real points of uncertainty. Thomas explains the Commission proposal to increase the Widening budget, move it into a new **fourth pillar** focused on the European Research Area, and create a distinction between **Widening countries** and **transition countries**. We also discuss the more controversial conditionality idea: linking access to some capacity-building measures to whether countries increase public R&D spending. Throughout the conversation, the key message is that Widening is staying — but its exact shape is still under negotiation, and there are still more questions than answers around budget, access rules, transition status and timing. 04:06 The Original Debate – Excellence vs Development 11:34 The FP10 Proposal – Splitting the Widening Countries - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/community ### Title: Community ### Page ID: 9591613 ### Content: ##### Andrea Motola “Working with Niels on our podcast was great. It was a smooth conversation with a friend rather than a work effort. He is a very attentive listener and a great podcast host who knows how to highlight the important aspects of a speaker's input and make them attractive to the listener.” - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/232 ### Title: #232 ### Page ID: 9601468 ### Content: ##### #232 How Regions Build the Foundation for EU Funding w/Alina Totti In episode **#232 of The Grant**, I’m joined by **Alina Totti** from **Provincie Noord-Brabant** for a conversation about something that often gets too little attention in the funding world: **what has to be built before the proposal even exists**. Alina works at the intersection of international relations, European funding, innovation and regional strategy in one of Europe’s most innovation-driven regions. Noord-Brabant is home to a strong advanced manufacturing ecosystem and to globally known industrial players such as Philips, ASML and NXP. But the point of the episode is not just that Brabant is successful. It is how a region like that builds its position deliberately through storytelling, relationship-building, smart specialisation and long-term engagement with Brussels. What makes the episode especially useful is that Alina explains the layers underneath EU funding. We talk about smart specialisation as a shared language between regions, the role of the **Vanguard Initiative** as both collaboration platform and political instrument, and how interregional trust has to be built long before a call opens. We also go into the practical side of ecosystem-building: creating stepping-stone instruments like **Vinnovate**, helping SMEs find partners, aligning regional strengths with European priorities, and understanding that successful EU funding often starts years earlier with relationships, positioning and strategic timing. This becomes a conversation not just about one Dutch region, but about how regions can create the conditions that make European funding possible in the first place. 13:36 The Vanguard Initiative and Smart Specialisation 51:14 Long-Term Lobbying and Why the Region Invests in It - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm8 ### Title: RM8 ### Page ID: 9622013 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (8): The Hungary Pilot In the seventh episode of the **RM Framework Series**, I’m joined by **Associate Professor Éva Pinter** and **Éva Kőváriné Ignáth** from **Corvinus University of Budapest** to explore the Hungarian pilot. Corvinus brings a very specific and valuable perspective to the project because it already runs a formally accredited postgraduate programme: the **Research and Innovation Manager and Economist Executive Degree Programme**. The programme runs over two full semesters, leads to a state-recognised diploma, and was developed in close cooperation with Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation Office. Unlike shorter professional workshops, this is a full higher education qualification for experienced professionals from universities, research institutes, public agencies and companies — as well as people transitioning into research management. That makes Corvinus a particularly interesting pilot case. Éva Pinter explains the pilot tests where the RM Framework handbook and quality label work well, and where they need more flexibility for multi-semester, ECTS-based degree programmes. Éva Kőváriné Ignáth adds the course-level perspective, drawing on shorter BA and MA courses developed through earlier European projects and now used to introduce students to research management and EU research funding. Together, the episode becomes a practical discussion about formal education, competence frameworks, quality labels, microcredentials and what it really means to build a European standard for research management training across very different national systems. 10:51 Working with the Pilot – Constraints and Reality - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/home ### Title: The Grant — The EU Funding Podcast & Services ### Page ID: 8076262 ### Content: ### The Grant on Instagram ### Book a meeting to hear more scientifyRESEARCH is a curated research funding database, supporting researchers and research administrators worldwide. They offer an open version and subscription services for institutions. Strongly recommended by The Grant. [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/protected-collection-item ### Title: Protected Page ### Page ID: 8076268 ### Content: In order to view the page, please enter the password below: --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/reset-password-page ### Title: Reset password page ### Page ID: 8076269 ### Content: Reset Password Reset Password --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/collaborations ### Title: Collaborations ### Page ID: 8077055 ### Content: ##### The Grant - Collaboration In this section you will find content developed in commercial collaboration on request. The Grant is growing and slowly different organisations from the listener base see the added value in developing audible content supporting their outreach strategy. All content developed under The Grant Collaboration will be clearly labelled. [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- Terms and conditions - Contact: theeugrant@gmail.com - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/about ### Title: About ### Page ID: 8077056 ### Content: # Your dedicated host There is a hole in the podcast market - there are no podcasts on EU R&D funding even though thousands and thousands of people every day are trying to get their heads around how to develop the best proposals to realize their research and innovation projects. This podcast will answer to this. The podcast will - in the beginning - focus on the Horizon Europe funding scheme and will focus on challenges and give suggestions how to solve them with tips, tricks and a heavy luggage of experience. The podcast is independent from any interests. It is my own private initiative. This is important. Any organisation that would embark on building a podcast on this would have a bias. The Grant doesn't have a bias. It is totally free and will take full advantage of this fact. Focus will be on the processes leading up to actually writing the proposal document, the writing process itself and what happens when the funding is secured. The initiative will unfold organically into the different layers and corners of this wonderful area. I have many ideas on how this will develop so keep close, subscribe to the initiative and follow me down the road. I am Niels Tudor-Vinther and I am your dedicated podcast ´creator and host I have worked with EU R&D funding since 2008 in a broad variety of different positions. This is the experience that I build on in my podcast. From 2008 to 2010 I was working as civil servant for the Danish goverment in the National Contact Point section in the Minstry of Science, Technology and Innovation. From 2010 to 2015 I worked in Brussels for a Danish national initiative. Alliance for Offshore Renewables, to attract more EU funding for the offshore renewable sector. Here I did facilitating and connection work as well as lobby activities towards the Framework Programmes From 2015 to 2016 I worked shortly as a private consultant´ in PNO Consultants in their Brussels Schuman office. Here I wrote proposals towards Horizon 2020 and the LIFE programme From 2016 to 2019 I worked for a Danish regional representation, North Denmark EU Office, where I supported local stakeholders including SME's, municipalities and the university approaching EU funding - primarily Horizon 2020, but also ELENA, LIFE and ERASME+ From 2019 to 2022 I have been working again for PNO Consultants as a business developer shaping innovative business models towards the research sector and developing early ideas into full Horizon Europe proposals. Currently, I am employed with a regional support organisation in South Denmark securing a strong connection between industry and education and attracting qualified labor. [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/hub ### Title: Hub ### Page ID: 8077206 ### Content: On this site I will be sharing general links and resources of relevance for proposal writers and project partners Further, this is also the site where I will share links and resources dsicussed in the individual podcast episodes This is the official portal for all calls and tenders from the EU Commission. This is also the official site for registering and submitting proposals. The Grant podcast episodes with introduction to the portal **Platform with overview of all Infodays and brokerage events** This is the singular most important site for identifying matchmaking events in Brussels and across Europe to meet people either online or physically for proposal and project collaboration. **Calls identification and ideas and partners exchange** This is a free platform that a French grants consultancy company has developed. Here you can screen funding calls, upload your proposal ideas and upload your partner search. It also contains a person profile database where you can search for professional consultants that could be useful in your grants application process. **Guidance on communication, dissemination and exploitation** The EU Commission's own guidance on the definitions **How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (Morning session)** **How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (afternoon session)** **Link to The Grant Podcast Hub with other useful podcasts** The consultancy company Enspire Science Ltd. has developed a great knowledge base with links to resources, funding schemes, articles etc. It is very well structured with entrances to all the key European funding programmes. Further, Enspire has included some of their tools free for use **Private consultancy platform proposal support services** OpenCosmos is a consultancy service based on subscription. Nikolaos Floratos (guest on episode #43) has developed the services on the platform based on more than 20 years of experience. The services are based on support and coaching - writing service is not included in the services. The Grant does not recieve affiliated remuneration for linking to the platform [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- Terms and conditions - Contact: theeugrant@gmail.com - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm-framework ### Title: RM Framework ### Page ID: 8077277 ### Content: **RM Framework: Advancing Research Management Training Across Europe** **Tune in and shape the future of research management with us!** The [RM Framework](https://rm-framework.eu/) project and The Grant have joined forces to launch a brand-new podcast series. Over the next 1.5 years, we’ll bring you 15 compelling episodes packed with insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert conversations about the groundbreaking work happening within the RM Framework project. The RM Framework project has been launched to establish framework conditions for training programs dedicated to Research Managers (RMs) across Europe. This initiative aims to support the development of a European qualification system for Research Management, enhancing interoperability and strengthening the profession across the European Research Area. [RM Framework](https://rm-framework.eu/) brings together the expertise of 16 organizations to build on past initiatives such as [RM Roadmap](https://rm-framework.eu/), [CARDEA](https://www.cardeahub.eu/), [EURESTMA](https://www.hs-osnabrueck.de/en/competence-center-higher-education-and-research-management/eurestma/), [foRMAtion](https://www.formation-rma.eu/), and [BestPrac](https://bestprac.eu/). The two-year project will deliver key outputs to support Research Managers, including: Want to understand what’s driving change in research management? Curious about how you can be part of it? Hit play, stay curious, and let’s build the future of research management together. **RM Framework Series (2): State of the art in Research Management** **RM Framework Series (3): The Ecosystem of Research Management** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - A **handbook** for developing high-quality training programs for RMs. - A **quality label** to certify and standardize RM training programs across Europe. - **Pilot training** programmes to test and measure their impact on both individuals and institutions. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm1 ### Title: RM1 ### Page ID: 8077279 ### Content: The Grant and the RM Framework project funded under Horizon Europe has joined a partnership. Over the next 1½ The Grant will support the consortium developing 15 podcast episodes in its own dedicated series exploring and sharing project activities. This episode kicks off the collaboration series. I of course have the project coordinator Nik Claesen, Managing Director of EARMA, in for this introductory episode to the project. He shares the background of the project and where this project fits into the work consolidating the research manager position across Europe. The project will develop guidelines and a handbook for trainings and capacity building within research management and we have a conversation about the elements that the project covers. The aim with this series is to demystify what it means to professionalise research management. It’s not just about systems and templates - it’s about aligning values, roles, and ambitions across the entire institution. Whether you’re setting up your first project support team or rethinking an existing structure, this series will seek a shared language and practical entry points. Over the project period I will be inviting in consortium members and stakeholders to explore the project activities and give an insight into the results. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm2 ### Title: RM2 ### Page ID: 8077280 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (2): State-of-the-art in Research Management The Grant and the RM Framework project funded under Horizon Europe has joined a partnership. Over the next 1½ The Grant will support the consortium developing 15 podcast episodes in its own dedicated series exploring and sharing project activities. In episode #2 of this RM Framework Series, I have Anna Royon-Weigelt (ZWM - Center for Science and Research Management in Germany) in the virtual podcast studio to outline the current state-of-the-art in research management across Europe. We exchange on how research management roles differ widely between institutions and countries - pre-award vs. post-award boundaries, “third-space” identities, and the reality of leading laterally without formal authority. We also look at the training landscape: rich but fragmented, with overlapping offers, uneven quality signals, and a lack of shared terminology that makes recognition and mobility harder than they should be. We discuss the practical anchors that help bring coherence without forcing uniformity using competence frameworks and learning outcomes to design modular, context-sensitive training; clarifying role profiles to match skills with tasks; and strengthening communities of practice so isolated research management professionals have peers to learn from. This podcast episode is focused on what already works in Europe and how institutions can use those elements now to professionalise research management in a way that fits their context. 00:29:47 Challenges and gaps - RM Framework contribution - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/194 ### Title: #194 ### Page ID: 8077311 ### Content: ##### #194 Proposal Writing - The Good Story or Technical Details? In this episode I bring together two vantage points on EU proposal writing: exprienced grant proposal writer Diana Huber and expert evaluator Christine Cieslak. We explore the permanent tension for a proposal writer: focus on creative storytelling or technical aspects - and why the answer isn’t either/or but a disciplined both/and. Diana argues that strong proposals begin before writing with ecosystem scanning, coalition building, and policy alignment, then translate end-user needs into a narrative evaluators can actually follow. She stresses reading the EU policy backbone (from the Lisbon Treaty onwards) and co-creating with stakeholders so the story is recognisable, relevant, and implementable - rather than buzzword-heavy fiction. From the evaluator’s chair, Christine underlines how evaluators look for clarity, truthfulness, and fit: answer what is asked, avoid empty jargon, don’t “fake it”, and choose the right funding line. We discuss Erasmus+ complexity (centralised vs. decentralised lines, word-count limits), myths about “secret tricks”, and the risk of AI-generated prose that can’t be implemented or may breach GDPR. The practical bottom line: define what you will do, why it matters, how you’ll deliver it with your partners—and write so an informed non-specialist can see the logic in limited space. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/the-timeline-series ### Title: The Timeline Series ### Page ID: 8077362 ### Content: ##### [The basic idea (1)](https://www.thegrant.eu/2) ##### [Identify the funding (2)](https://www.thegrant.eu/3) ##### Reading the call text (3) ##### Idea and concept development (4) ##### Concept note (5) ##### Partner value chain and partner search (6) ##### Completing the consortium (7) ##### The coordinator (8) ##### Preparing for the writing phase (9) ##### The Excellence section - the template explained (10) ##### The Excellence section - How to structure it (11) ##### The Impact section 2.1 - The template explained (12) ##### The Impact section 2.1 - How to structure it (13) ##### The Impact section 2.2 - The template explained (14) ##### The Impact section 2.2 - How to structure it (15) ##### The Implementation section 3 - The Work Package descriptions (16 & 17) ##### The Implementation section 3 - The tables and diagrammes (18) ##### The budget in real life (20 & 21) ##### Submission (22 & 23) ##### The gender aspect in Horizon Europe (24) ##### Visuals in proposals (25) ##### The pain of rejections (26) ##### IP in Proposals (27) In **The Timeline Series** I am going through every single step of the Horizon Europe proposal preparation phase. I present the different elements to be aware of in each step towards submission and give tips, tricks and advice that will help you approach the proposal preparation process. Further, I share what I consider to be the toughest challenge in each step and I share how I deal with the different challenges and blockages on the way. **The Timeline Series** is a generic podcast series that addresses the methodology and processes of proposal preparation. In the beginning focus will be on Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals, but can be useful also for other Horizon Europe proposal preparations. Later I will widen the scope to other funding schemes **The Grant with links to resources. Here you will find links to webinars, matchmaking, funding and tenders portal etc.** [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/campus ### Title: Campus ### Page ID: 8077422 ### Content: ##### #23 & 24 The NTNU Brussels Office - w. guest Massimo Busuoli ##### #32 VITO's way up - Building a research organisation on EU funds w. guest Ludo Diels ##### #39 & #40 The foRMAtion project - An ERASMUS+ example w. guest Virág Zsár ##### #41 & #42 How to brokerage - Networking for EU funding w. guest Lara Valentin Carrera ##### #70 Artificial intelligence R&D and EU funding w. guest Antonio M. Ortiz ##### #72 NTNU - EU funding approach (NTNU panel) ##### #83 The National Contact Points - An introduction w. guest Ana Sutcliffe ##### #84 Innovation strategy in research organisations w. guest Gabrielle Lovasz ##### #85 "Collaboration in EU projects" - A book conversation w. guest Giulia Parola ##### #86 Eat the frog - A tool for coordinators w. guest Isabel Burdallo ##### #87 REDOL - A Horizon Europe project ##### #93 Chemistry research and EU funding ##### #95 Building funding capacities in research ##### #99 & #100 From lab to consultant - A conversation with INRAE ##### #109 Mastering Brussels - The story of DTU WIND ##### #119 scientifyRESEARCH - ##### Giving researchers a hand ##### #123 Staying sane as research manager ##### #128 Managing Lump Sum ##### #207 Supporting Postdoctoral Fellowships **The Grant Campus** is the podcast series dedicated to universities and privat research organisations. I zoom in on accessing EU R&D funding from a research organisation's point-of-view. Focus will be dedicated to both public and private research challenges to access the EU R&D funding including time constraints for researchers, access to industry and SME networks, opening up European research networks and how to deal with the proposal writing process. **The Grant Campus** will dedicate efforts to interviews and panel discussions with researchers and R&D support organisations. [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/consultants-corner ### Title: Consultants Corner ### Page ID: 8077423 ### Content: ##### The Timeline Series - ##### **Proposal preparation step-by-step** ##### The Implementation Series - ##### Project implemetation bit-by-bit ##### The AI Series - ##### **Unfolding and explaining LLM and Chatbots** ##### #11 The Summer Struggle ##### #15 Break on through to the other side - communicating Horizon Europe ##### #25 Four day working week w. guest Christina Achilleos ##### #26 EIC Accelerator - From idea to project concept w. guest Sandra Anic ##### #30 Get to the point! Research input in Horizon proposals w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev ##### #31 No-Copy-Approach - Shaping winning communication sections w. guest Sean Jones ##### #33 Christmas Special - Proposal preparation during Christmas ##### #34 & #35 Recruiting in grants consultancy ##### #43 No writing! - Alternative grants consultancy ##### #48 Crowdhelix - An open innovation platform ##### #73 Like a lice between two nails ##### #82 EMDESK - Managing proposals and projects ##### #85 "Collaborating in EU projects" - A book conversation ##### #119 Scientify - Giving researchers a hand ##### #133 Building communities for startups ##### #134 The pain of rejections ##### #180 When to fire your client - ##### The Consultant-Client Relationship The EU R&D consultants sector is a very special one. It is packed with very strong people with research backgrounds and facilitation experience and in-depth administrative experience. The work is always playing up against tough deadlines and the need for strong business cases. It deserves its own corner for exchange on approaches, work load pressure, private consultant issues etc. [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/193 ### Title: #193 ### Page ID: 8079782 ### Content: ##### #193 Human Skills in Research Management In this episode, I sit down with Viltaré Platzner, Head of the Centre of EU Projects at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, to talk about the human side of research management. We unpack the real day-to-day: reading people, building trust with PIs and partners, handling silence and conflict in consortia, and staying resilient when Horizon proposals miss by a whisker. Viltaré shares her route into RM, the reality of covering the full project life cycle in a small team, and why empathy, curiosity and boundary-setting matter as much as technical skills. We also take a frank look at professionalisation: how the European competence framework for research managers helps map skills—but can feel abstract or “de-humanised” compared with lived practice. From hiring (often juniors) and mentoring under tight resources, to retaining talent that private consultancies try to poach, Viltaré lays out the Eastern/Central European context, the role of supportive leadership, and why community (EARMA, peer networks) is a lifeline. The episode ends with practical advice: make time for reflection, keep learning, and find your people. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/192 ### Title: #192 ### Page ID: 8079783 ### Content: ##### #192 Facilitating Dissemination and Communication -The Widening Series (3) It is time for another episode in The Widening Series where I have science journalist Thomas Brent as co-host. For this one we have invited Katarzyna Walczyk-Matuszyk - coordinator of the wideraAdvance Facility and long-time advocate for widening participation in EU research - into the virtual podcast studio. Together we zoom in on what dissemination and exploitation (D&E) really look like in the context of widening countries, where visibility, reputation, and research impact are often still being established. We discuss why D&E strategies can’t be one-size-fits-all and how adapting them to the national and institutional context is vital. We also of course have a look at the wideraAdvance Facility project, which supports organisations in strengthening their proposal quality and post-grant impact activities. Thomas shares insights into storytelling and audience targeting, while Katarzyna speaks to the importance of building local ecosystems that can sustain EU-funded innovations. Whether you’re a new institution trying to get into Horizon Europe or a coordinator wondering how to bring your Widening partners into the spotlight, this episode offers concrete tools and reflections to help you get D&E right. 00:06:43 Project introduction, background and motivation 00:49:53 Structural challenges in Widening countries 01:01:28 Outcomes, policy impact and future potential **Connect with Katarzyna Walczyk-Matuszyk on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/191 ### Title: #191 ### Page ID: 8079784 ### Content: ##### #191 Integrating Impact Thinking - Research Management Shorts Series (5) In this fifth episode of the Research Management Shorts Series, I continue my conversation with Stephanie Harfensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, to explore how you embed sustainability and impact thinking in research strategy. Stephanie shares how her institute aligns all EU funding efforts with a long-term goal: enabling value-creating circular economy systems. She unpacks how impact isn’t just a requirement from the EU, but a guiding compass for institutional strategy, shaping everything from project selection to researcher engagement. We talk about how FIR an der RWTH Aachen incorporates social and environmental dimensions into seemingly technical projects - like finding gender impacts in multimodal transport - and how research managers can act as translators between policy and science. Stephanie also shares concrete strategies for research intelligence: how to identify calls with higher success rates, how to balance strategic fit with academic freedom, and how long-term impact grows from well-aligned project portfolios. It’s a must-listen for research managers aiming to move from compliance to purpose-driven impact. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/190 ### Title: #190 ### Page ID: 8079785 ### Content: ##### #190 IP in Proposals - The Timeline Series (27) In this episode of The Grant, I’m joined by Juan Luis Rodrigues Quintero from RTDS Group to dive into a sometimes underestimated element of EU proposals: intellectual property (IP). Juan brings practical insights from years of proposal writing and implementation support, showing how IP is about much more than legal jargon - it’s about safeguarding your innovation and ensuring your consortium has a clear, credible plan for results exploitation. We explore why so many IP sections fall flat and how to make sure yours doesn't. We also reflect on how freedom to operate, access rights, and foreground/background IP must be considered from the start and not just when the grant is secured. Juan shares the kind of red flags evaluators notice in poorly written IP sections and how strategic thinking here can support your impact narrative. Whether you're an SME, coordinator, or support team, this episode will help you move beyond templates and think IP from a real implementation perspective. 00:32:41 Building a robust IP strategy for your proposal **Connect with Juan Luis Rodrigues Quintero on LinkedIn** [**Link to The Timeline Series - proposal preparation step-by-set**](https://www.thegrant.eu/the-timeline-series) - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/189 ### Title: #189 ### Page ID: 8079786 ### Content: ##### #189 Consortium Meetings - The Implementation Series (11) In this new episode in The Implementation Series, I have invited in Nicole Schmidt from EUTEMA to share her insights on consortium meetings. These meetings are rarely just about reporting—they’re where the real dynamics of a project come into play. Nicole brings her long-standing experience in proposal writing and project implementation to the table, reflecting on how roles are clarified (or blurred), how partners position themselves, and how the soft skills of coordination make all the difference. Our conversation highlights that consortium meetings are human systems in action: they are where trust is built, conflicts surface, and alignment is forged. Nicole shares practical tips on structuring agendas, reading the room, and balancing technical content with relational dynamics. For anyone who has ever wondered why some meetings feel energising and others draining, this episode offers both insights and strategies to make consortium meetings a real driver of collaboration. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/188 ### Title: #188 ### Page ID: 8079787 ### Content: ##### #188 Implementation Challenges in EIC Accelerator - SME Series (3) In this third episode of our SME Series, I speak with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa, an experienced EU funding professional and consultant, about one of the most complex and under-discussed topics in implementation: financial rules, and especially the lump sum model. We unpack how the lump sum rules - designed to simplify - can have the opposite effect for beneficiaries, particularly SMEs and newcomers trying to find their footing in Horizon Europe. Alicja shares real-world examples of how lump sum reporting affects project planning, flexibility, and internal budgeting. We talk about the administrative burden, the risk of rigid work plan structures, and how a lack of clarity from the Commission can leave even experienced coordinators confused. This episode is an honest, practical conversation about what happens after you win the grant - and why we need to speak more openly about implementation bottlenecks and financial stress points in EU projects. **Connect with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/187 ### Title: #187 ### Page ID: 8079788 ### Content: ##### #187 Research Management Series (4): Capacity Building and Training In this fourth episode of the Research Management Shorts Series, I continue my conversation with with Stephanie Hafensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, to dive into capacity building and training in EU research management. Stephanie shares how FIR’s model, where PhD candidates leave after four-and-a-half years, has sparked the need to preserve and structure institutional knowledge around EU funding. Instead of relying on person-based, peer-to-peer learning, the institute is building modular training approaches that include video guides, best practice repositories, peer coaching, and one-to-one support - ensuring continuity and growing strategic capacity within the institute. We also discuss the value of investing in both researchers and administrative staff. Stephanie makes a strong case for continuous learning as an organisational strategy - arguing that EU funding requires more than ad-hoc solutions. From internal toolkits and knowledge management platforms to partnerships with training providers like the national contact points, the institute now offers tailored training options to match different learning styles. Finally, Stephanie outlines how fostering entrepreneurial skills supports spin-outs and start-ups, making the institute a launchpad for both excellent research and real-world innovation. **Link to The Grant Campus category with more episodes on the topic** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/185-186 ### Title: #185 & #186 ### Page ID: 8079798 ### Content: ##### #185 & 186 How to Fail a Proposal In this episode, I have the great freelance EU grant consultant Marie Prouteau in the virtual podcast studio, who was one of my first guests. Some time ago she made a popular LinkedIn post on how to utterly fail a proposal inspired - this inspired the theme of our discussion. We use her post as a starting point to explore the emotional rollercoaster of writing EU funding proposals - from the buzz of securing a new assignment to the inevitable panic that sets in two weeks before submission. Marie shares honest reflections on physical and mental exhaustion, the rush of adrenaline, and the unglamorous reality of managing late-stage chaos, unclear partner responsibilities, and acronym-heavy titles. We exchange on how even experienced grants consultants get caught up in the same traps. But this isn’t just a technical conversation - it’s a human one. We dig into the toll this work takes on our well-being: the burnout, the solitude, and the pressure of being solely accountable for a proposal’s quality. Marie talks about the post-submission crash, the difficulty of setting boundaries, and why deadlines just after the holidays feel particularly cruel. This episode is both a warning and a comfort: a reminder that if you’ve ever found yourself writing from a hut in Sri Lanka or frantically formatting at 2AM, you’re not alone. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/184 ### Title: #184 ### Page ID: 8079799 ### Content: ##### #184 Dressing up project managers - The PM Agora Initiative In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I sit down with three inspiring guests - Christina Achilleos (Founder & Director, InnoEUsphere), Alessandro Carbone (Owner, T-Hap), and Andreas Stefanidis (President, Academy of Entrepreneurship & Educational Association of Athens) - to talk about PM Agora, a grassroots initiative created by and for EU project managers. PM Agora isn’t funded. It’s not tied to an institution. It’s a voluntary community that exists because these three persons saw the need to connect, support each other, and improve how we manage EU projects in practice. They share how PM Agora grew from a common interest and care for EU project managers into a structured initiative that gathers and facilitates in-depth exchange and knowledge-sharing. From templates and training to safe spaces for open discussion, the initiative is redefining how professional development can happen in the project world - especially in regions where institutional support is limited or missing entirely. We dig into the upcoming event in October, how it is structured and what is the added value. 01:00:06 Reflections, future vision and call to action - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/183 ### Title: #183 ### Page ID: 8079800 ### Content: ##### #183 Finding the Coordinator In this solo episode, I dive deep into one of the most challenging yet crucial parts of proposal development: finding a coordinator. After years of working across EU R&D funding as an NCP, proposal consultant, and industry representative, I’ve realized that identifying and securing the right coordinator can make or break a project. Whether you're early in your planning phase or already knee-deep in writing, if you don’t have someone ready to lead, your proposal risks falling apart. I share typical scenarios and the types of organisations (like universities, RTOs, or SMEs) that often hesitate to take on this role—and what you can do about it. I walk you through the intelligence work needed to identify experienced coordinators: how I use CORDIS, LinkedIn, Google, old contacts, and even ChatGPT to build leads. You’ll hear about mapping projects, digging through call topics, and finding patterns among recurring consortium players. I also talk candidly about what to do when you do find someone—how to reach out, what to say, and how to prepare. And finally, I stress the importance of collecting and structuring your own data (in GDPR-compliant ways) so you don’t start from scratch next time. It’s a practical, battle-tested roadmap that I use daily—and now it’s yours. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/research-management-series ### Title: Research Management Series ### Page ID: 8079806 ### Content: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Establishing research management as a strategic function within the organization. - Identifying internal pain points and aligning solutions with institutional goals. - Building awareness and buy-in from leadership through evidence and communication. - Developing structured, sustainable support systems tailored to researcher needs. - Define team roles—then break the silos. - Develop a roadmap (even if it’s not perfect). - Use agile tools for quick wins. - Foster organizational—not individual—knowledge. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/169-170 ### Title: #169 & #170 ### Page ID: 8079807 ### Content: ##### #169 & #170 Innovation Fund - An Introduction In this Funding Scheme episode of The Grant, I invite Irene LaRoy, Innovation Fund expert and Partner at EY, to give us all an intruction to one of EU’s flagship funding programs: the Innovation Fund. We look into why the European Commission launched theInnovation Fund as part of the European Green Deal — aiming to decarbonize heavy industry by directly supporting the construction of large-scale facilities. Irene explains the unique structure of the programme, including the different project categories (small, medium, large, pilot, and clean tech manufacturing) and the heavy focus on industrial-scale deployment rather than research. The first episode sheds light on how Innovation Fund projects are evaluated, how relevant costs are calculated, and why financial close is a crucial milestone. It highlights theInnovation Fund’s distinctive character: it’s financed through the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and operates with stringent technical and financial demands. Finally, we look into why applying for the Innovation Fund demands strategic commitment, top-level management buy-in, and an intricate balance between innovation, technical readiness, and financial solidity. This is a double episode. In this first episode we dig into why the EU Commission established this initiative, the structure of the programme and the target group and stakeholders. Very instructive for everybody who is approaching the funding scheme. In the second half of The Grant’s Innovation Fund introduction, Irene Larroy from EY shares with us the complex application and evaluation landscape of one of the EU’s most ambitious funding instruments for decarbonisation. In this second part we go through step-by-step the grant application process—what documents are required, how feasibility studies and financial modeling fit into the process, and what it takes to calculate eligible costs using the dreaded Excel templates. Irene shares hard-earned insights into what makes proposals successful (or not), especially in relation to key documents like the GHG emissions calculator and the financial maturity documentation.The episode also examines how Innovation Fund proposals are evaluated: from the role of expert panels to the five core evaluation criteria—degree of innovation, GHG reduction, project maturity, replicability, and cost-efficiency. Bonus points, controversial scoring issues, and evaluation fairness across sectors are addressed with practical advice for applicants. Finally, we have a look at what happens after winning the grant, including negotiations, financial close, and the grant agreement phase—plus a few project success stories to bring it all to life. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/171 ### Title: #171 ### Page ID: 8079808 ### Content: ##### #171 SME Series (1) - Eligibility Challenges for SMEs In the first episode of the new SMEs Series, I sit down with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa (Co-founder of Polite Europe) to tackle one of the most complex issues facing SMEs in EU projects: understanding eligibility rules. The episode digs into the distinctions between SME owners and employees, how their time can be charged in projects, and the two main reimbursement routes — actual costs and unit costs — while highlighting the critical impact these choices can have in audits. Alicja gives a detailed understanding of real-life scenarios across EU countries (including Spain, France, and Belgium), how holding structures and grey zones complicate compliance, and why it's vital to document decisions and consult with project officers, National Contact Points, and auditors. The episode offers not just clarity but also strategies for de-risking participation in EU projects — a must-listen for SME owners, grant consultants, and public facilitators supporting them. **Connect with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/172 ### Title: #172 ### Page ID: 8079809 ### Content: ##### #172 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Proposal Writing In this episode I have invited back Ilaria Rudisi, a senior EU funding consultant, to explore how researchers can successfully prepare proposals for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Ilaria takes us through the entire proposal development process — from evaluating the feasibility of the research idea to building a competitive, impact-driven narrative. She further shares practical insights from her extensive consulting work, emphasizing the importance of early planning, clear articulation of impact, and understanding the expectations of the evaluators. Listeners will gain an in-depth understanding of the structure and requirements of MSCA proposals, including how to write the B1 and B2 sections, define work packages, plan budgets, and address ethics and risk. The conversation also touches on the psychological and strategic dynamics between researchers and consultants, and why MSCA is not a good fit for everyone. This episode is a hands-on guide to building competitive proposals and a reality check for researchers who might be overconfident about the strength of their ideas. 00:32:24 Shaping of proposal concept with researcher - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/173 ### Title: #173 ### Page ID: 8079810 ### Content: In the final Communication Shorts episode, Casper and I take stock of everything covered in the 12-episode series. Through a lively, reflective conversation, we revisit the four communication pillars: strategy, media engagement, newsletters, and social media. The episode explores why communication should not be treated as an afterthought or junior task but as a core, strategic function in EU projects. They underline the importance of storytelling, consistent messaging, and internal buy-in—while challenging listeners to consider the real value of professional communication expertise. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#173 Key take-aways** - Don’t outsource your strategy to AI—communication needs human intent. - Communicating research means translating, not just informing. - Strategy, consistency, and engagement are the trinity of great outreach. - Treat communication as core—not a checkbox. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/174 ### Title: #174 ### Page ID: 8079811 ### Content: In the closing bonus episode, Casper and I dive deeper into what separates good communication from great. We explore cultural nuance, consistency in tone, creative content delivery, and the irreplaceable value of trained communicators. Using real-life metaphors and practical examples, the duo push for a shift in mindset: from vanity metrics to real engagement, from generic posts to emotionally resonant messaging. It’s a compelling call to prioritize storytelling and impact over automation and shortcuts. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Engagement isn't likes—it’s curiosity, connection, and action. - Creativity is what gets your project noticed—use it with purpose. - Communication can be taught—but motivation is key. - Train your team, but don’t underestimate natural talent. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/175 ### Title: #175 ### Page ID: 8079812 ### Content: ##### #175 EUREKA - An Introduction For a long time I have wanted to present the funding schemes from EUREKA, because they have very popular funding schemes for SMEs. I managed to get Camilla Del Latte from the EUREKA Secretariat onboard - and even for an in-person recording in Brussels back in April 2025. Unlike many EU programmes, EUREKA is built on intergovernmental collaboration, allowing countries to co-fund innovation projects outside of traditional EU structures. Camilla takes us all through three EUREKA key funding schemes: Eurostars, Innowwide and Fast track to EIC Accelerator. We run schematically through the structure of the programmes, target grous, how to apply, evaluation regime, what happens when funding is received and finally of course some do's and don't's. Excellent for everybody approaching the EUREKA funding schemes! - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/176 ### Title: #176 ### Page ID: 8079814 ### Content: ##### #176 The Widening Series (2) - Widening Projects In this Widening Series episode, my co-host Thomas Brent and I explore how EU Widening measures are implemented in practice and the impact they can have on research excellence and collaboration. This time we have two guests: Katalin Oborni from the HETFA Research Institute in Hungary, and Viltaré Platzner from Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. They share hands-on experiences with the Widening projects STREAM IT (focused on gender equality in education), FrontSeat (smart industries), and FreeTwin EV (digital twinning for electric vehicles). In this conversation we zoom in on how these projects foster international research partnerships, improve research management, and elevate institutional capacities. Our guests highlight practical challenges and lessons in designing and running widening projects — from building balanced consortia and managing expectations of non-widening partners, to using Twinning and Hop-on schemes to gradually break down barriers. We also discuss how Widening fosters trust-building, learning exchanges, and leadership growth among Widening countries. An honest conversation about the R&D politics of Widening, its future, and the nuances of post-communist institutional legacies adds depth to this rich and personal exploration of an evolving EU policy space. 00:22:10 The Widening perspective - in proposal and project - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/177 ### Title: #177 ### Page ID: 8079815 ### Content: ##### #177 Freelancers in EU Projects - SME Series (2) This is the second episode in my SME Series that I do together with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa - an expert in legal and financial management of EU projects — to explore the tricky subject of freelancers and their eligibility under Horizon Europe. She unpacks what it really means to classify someone as a freelancer under personal costs, clarifying that the European Commission uses the term "natural persons" rather than "freelancers." Alicia highlights key eligibility rules including supervision requirements, IP rights, teleworking policies, remuneration structures, and the critical need for accurate time recording. In the episode we dig into practical examples and explains how national employment laws may clash with Horizon Europe’s rules—especially in countries like Spain, where false self-employment is heavily scrutinized. Alicia provides hands-on advice for SMEs and freelancers alike, stressing the importance of contract clauses, clear remuneration terms, and the value of working with experts. The discussion is not only about compliance but about minimizing audit risks and making strategic decisions for smooth project implementation. **Connect with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa on LinkedIn** **Link to Europa Media and their platform with trainings and webinars** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/178 ### Title: #178 ### Page ID: 8079816 ### Content: ##### #178 Organisational Framework - Research Management Shorts Series (2) In episode #178 of The Grant Podcast, we continue the Research Management Shorts series by focusing on how to build an effective organizational framework for research management teams. Niels is joined again by Stefanie, who walks us through the process of shaping team roles, navigating silos, and building strong internal collaboration. The episode underscores the importance of strategic role distribution, complementarity, and allowing space for new team members to co-develop work dynamics organically. The conversation also dives into timeline development, the value of agile methods, and how to create quick wins without losing sight of long-term goals. Stefanie shares how breaking down strategy into manageable projects and involving wider institutional resources can ease implementation. Internal communication and inclusive processes are key, with real-world examples of using feedback loops, Teams channels, and collaborative knowledge systems. The episode is packed with hands-on lessons for small, evolving teams working to structure research support from scratch. **The Grant Campus with episodes on research and funding** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/179 ### Title: #179 ### Page ID: 8079817 ### Content: ##### #179 Communication and Dissemination - The RTO Perspective In this episode I have Stephanie Fulda, Head of Communication at the RTO nova-Institut, to explore the RTO perspective of communication and dissemination in EU-funded projects. Stephanie shares how her team supports Horizon Europe consortia through tailored dissemination strategies, impactful engagement, and creative content development. With decades of experience and a strong track record in bioeconomy-focused initiatives, nova-Institut’s communication team plays a key role in ensuring project results are not just published—but understood, shared, and used. In the discussion we cover both the proposal and implementation phases, highlighting challenges such as copy-paste dissemination plans, the need for stronger internal collaboration, and effective engagement through channels like LinkedIn. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of working closely with partners, maintaining flexibility, and continuously learning from data-driven social media monitoring. We add some practical examples and thoughtful insights to give some essential takeaways for communication professionals and coordinators alike striving to increase project impact in EU research and innovation. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/180 ### Title: #180 ### Page ID: 8079818 ### Content: ##### #180 When to fire your client - The Consultant-Client Relationship In this episode I am joined by Director Ana-Marija Špicnagel to unpack the dynamic between consultants and clients in the EU proposal space. From proposal writing to project management and reporting, consultants play a vital role - but the relationship can be delicate. Ana-Marija offers an honest and reflective take on how trust is built, how expectations are managed, and why good consulting is as much about chemistry and timing as it is about technical expertise. The episode covers the full consultant lifecycle: identifying the right fit, setting clear scopes, managing feedback loops, and navigating tensions between control and support. We reflect on the value of long-term collaboration over one-off contracts. This is a great episode for grants consultants with a thoughtful conversation on how to create healthier, more productive partnerships in the world of EU-funded projects. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/181 ### Title: #181 ### Page ID: 8079819 ### Content: ##### #181 Industrial Symbiosis and EU Funding - The Umeå Case In this episode I have a talk with Erik Eklund from the Strategic Department of the Municipality of Umeå to explore how a local government can work strategically with EU funding. Erik shares how his team approaches EU projects not just as funding opportunities, but as tools for building long-term local capacity and driving political and organisational development. We dig into how Umeå aligns its project portfolio with actual needs, strengthens cross-sector collaboration, and avoids the trap of disconnected, one-off applications. In our conversation Erik shares how they have managed to build an approach with ecosystem thinking - bringing in universities, regional actors, and municipal departments around shared agendas. He also gives an honest view of the challenges: working across silos, maintaining internal momentum, and connecting projects to the bigger picture. This episode is for anyone in the public sector who wants to move from reactive grant writing to proactive, mission-driven funding strategies. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/182 ### Title: #182 ### Page ID: 8079821 ### Content: **#182 Networking - Research Management Shorts Series (3)** In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I continue the Research Management Shorts Series together with Stephanie Harfensteller from FIR an der RWTH Aachen. This time we zoom in on networking. We are sharing the lessons we have both learned the hard way - how years of info-meetings and matchmaking event attendance and unstructured contacts eventually shaped a more structured approach to building networks that actually made sence to our organisations research ambitions. We discuss the importance of conceptualizing your network strategy, mapping different types of networks (thematic, organizational, and influence-based), and identifying the roles that connectors, policy insiders, and topic experts play. We also break down the practicalities: where to be present, how to be resource-efficient, and what signals tell you if an event is worth your time. From brokerage events and working groups to leveraging your partner network and tapping into the growing European community of research managers (EARMA), this episode offers a guidance for turning networking from an activity into a strategic asset. Whether you're new to the Brussels scene or an experienced research manager, this conversation helps clarify what networking is really about - and how to get better at it. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Conceptualize your network: define goals and categorize network types. - Prioritize brokerage events and interactive formats to maximize impact. - Identify and build relationships with super-connectors and amplifiers. - Join EARMA and national networks to strengthen your research support structure. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/podcast-universe ### Title: Podcast Universe ### Page ID: 8094107 ### Content: Dedicated to the private R&D funding consultancy sector Episodes covering all elements in the project implementation phase **#192 Facilitating Dissemination and Communication - The Widening Series (3)** **#188 Implementation Challenges in the EIC Accelerator Programme - SME Series (3)** **#174 How hard can it be? (part 2) -Communication Shorts Series (14)** **#172** **Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Proposal Writing** **#164 A conversation about European university alliances** **#162 Shorts - Attention on social platforms** **Episode 2: Engaging and concise language** **#150 Shorts - How to sell your project to the media (3): Build relations** **#148 Shorts - How to sell your project to the media (1): Impact and relevance** **#143 Shorts - How to sell your project to the media (2): Captivating angles and language** **#143 Shorts - Building a communication strategy (2): Create and engage** **#144 Shorts - Building a communication strategy (3): Measure, learn and adapt** **#142 Shorts - Building a communication strategy (1): Identy and define** **#96 Shorts. 1st job: Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation** **#85 "Collaboration in EU projects" - A book conversation** **#55 The gender aspect in Horizon Europe - The Timeline Series (23)** **#15 Break on through to the other side - Communicating Horizon Europe** **#8** **How to develop a clear concept with clever angles** [Privacy policy](https://thegrant.brizy.site/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thegrant.brizy.site/cookies) \- [Terms and conditions](https://www.thegrant.eu/terms-and-conditions) - Contact: niels@thegrant.eu - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/195 ### Title: #195 ### Page ID: 8096890 ### Content: ##### #195 Ensuring Long-term Sustainability - Research Management Shorts Series (6) In this sixth episode in the Research Management Shorts Series, that I do together with Stephanie Harfensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, we explore how you sustain a research management strategy once the initial build is done. We get concrete about monitoring and evaluation: tracking the smooth handling of proposals and projects through trained admin capacity; improving research quality in reporting and deliverables; and smart consortium management to maximise impact while projects run (linking to other initiatives, presenting at conferences, building networks). Further, we look at pitfalls and behavioural change. How do you protect the function when budgets tighten or momentum fades? Stephanie explains diversifying support so parts of research management are funded from projects, clarifying roles between researchers and RM staff, and embedding RM inside proposal teams to keep oversight and pace. Finally, we discuss de-risking the system: moving from person-based know-how to institutional knowledge management, training researchers to handle basics (budgets, gender & ethics blocks) so RM can lift its value add, and cultivating a culture where continuous improvement outlives individuals. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/partners ### Title: Partners ### Page ID: 8097912 ### Content: ##### Partner Series On this page you find the podcast episodes and podcast series developed together with partners that are collaborating with The Grant. They each have their own entry and site. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/168 ### Title: #168 ### Page ID: 8098186 ### Content: **#168 Developing a Strategy - Research Manager Shorts Series** Together with Stephanie Harfensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, I am launching the first episode of the Research Manager Shorts Series. In this first one we discuss how research support units can be strategically developed within institutions. The conversation explores what it takes to set up and scale research management—from convincing leadership to creating internal awareness of the function’s value. Stephanie shares her experience establishing the research management function at research institute, how she identified internal "pain points," and how she framed these challenges as strategic opportunities that aligned with broader institutional goals. The episode highlights how professionalizing research support is not only about writing better proposals but about improving long-term sustainability, compliance, and impact. Topics include building internal visibility, tailoring support to researchers' actual needs, and working across silos to embed research strategy into the daily rhythm of the organization. Whether you're starting from scratch or scaling an existing support structure, this episode offers practical insights on transforming research management into a strategic asset. 00:14:07 Considerations before starting - Motivation 00:22:25 Considerations before starting - Challenges 00:28:32 Connection with overall organizational strategy - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Establishing research management as a strategic function within the organization. - Identifying internal pain points and aligning solutions with institutional goals. - Building awareness and buy-in from leadership through evidence and communication. - Developing structured, sustainable support systems tailored to researcher needs. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/160 ### Title: #160 ### Page ID: 8098195 ### Content: ##### #160 Introduction to the Widening Programme - The Widening Series (1) In episode #160 of The Grant Podcast, I kick off the new Widening Series, focusing on the Widening Programme under Horizon Europe. Co-hosting this series is Thomas Brent, a former science policy journalist and Widening expert, now working at CERN. Together, we dive into why the Widening Programme exists, its objectives, and how it addresses the research and innovation gap between high-performing and low-performing EU countries. Our guest for this first episode is Ian Gauci Borda, Malta’s National Contact Point and Programme Committee member, who provides a comprehensive introduction to the programme’s structure, goals, and challenges. This episode unpacks the origins of Widening, exploring how it was designed to increase participation from underrepresented EU countries in Horizon Europe while maintaining excellence standards. We also examine the political debate surrounding its future, including proposals to move Widening funding to the Cohesion Fund and the resistance from the EU-15 widening countries. Ian shares insights on the impact of Widening so far, key funding instruments like Teaming, Twinning, and ERA Chairs, and how some countries like Cyprus have successfully leveraged the programme to strengthen their research capacities. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/161 ### Title: #161 ### Page ID: 8098196 ### Content: In this episode, we explore how to leverage social platforms effectively to communicate EU funding projects. We discuss the importance of viewing social platforms as tools rather than media, emphasizing strategic audience engagement over mere visibility. Further, we highlight how to use relatable language, compelling narratives, and audience-specific messaging to increase impact. Additionally, the episode underscores the significance of platform-specific content adaptation, where different channels require different tones and messaging styles to resonate with their respective audiences. The conversation also delves into timing and audience targeting as key factors for effective communication. Casper explains the benefits of strategic posting, emphasizing when professionals engage most actively on platforms like LinkedIn. We also discuss hashtags, how to research effective tags, and the importance of mirroring the communication style of your audience to build credibility. Ultimately, the episode provides a structured approach to making social media a strategic asset rather than a passive broadcasting channel. 00:04:36 Fly in on How to get attention on social platforms 00:06:15 Use social platforms as tools rather than media - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#161 Key take-aways** - View social platforms as strategic tools rather than passive broadcasting channels. - Timing and audience segmentation are critical for maximizing post engagement. - Use compelling, audience-specific narratives to make complex topics relatable. - Hashtags and platform-specific adaptations can significantly enhance reach and visibility. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/162 ### Title: #162 ### Page ID: 8098301 ### Content: This episode focuses on crafting compelling, concise, and engaging messages for social platforms. Casper stresses that the first two sentences of a post are crucial, as they determine whether an audience will continue reading. We recommend using attention-grabbing hooks such as surprising statistics, provocative questions, or emotionally compelling statements. The discussion also covers structuring posts with simple, direct language while avoiding technical jargon that might alienate a broader audience. Additionally, we highlight the importance of a clear call to action to drive engagement and conversions. Beyond text, the episode explores the role of visuals in amplifying a message’s impact. Whether using images, infographics, or videos, we discuss how visuals enhance readability and make posts stand out in crowded feeds. We also touch on the algorithmic advantages of using faces in social media posts and the growing relevance of AI-generated content. The episode concludes with practical tips on how to integrate text and visuals seamlessly to maximize audience retention and interaction. 00:02:54 Introduction to engaging and concise language 00:25:54 Encourage engagement and include calls to action - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#162 Key take-aways** - The first two sentences of a post determine whether your audience will continue reading. - Bold statements, statistics, and questions help capture attention. - Visual content (images, infographics, videos) significantly boosts engagement. - Calls to action should be direct and encourage interaction beyond passive consumption. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/163 ### Title: #163 ### Page ID: 8098334 ### Content: In the final episode of this batch of the Communication Shorts Series, we dive into how to measure and refine social media engagement strategies. We stress that social media is an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time announcement, requiring consistent monitoring and response. The episode explores how to track audience interactions, respond to comments effectively, and use real-time data to adjust communication strategies. The hosts also address ethical considerations when prompting audience engagement, cautioning against superficial tactics that may appear disingenuous. The discussion extends to community building and conversion optimization. We emphasize the value of turning passive followers into active participants by fostering discussions and encouraging meaningful interactions. The episode also includes insights on how to respond to criticism professionally, the benefits of repurposing past content in timely contexts, and how AI tools can enhance engagement tracking. Ultimately, this episode rounds out the series by offering a strategic approach to maintaining and growing digital influence in the EU funding communication landscape. 00:02:53 Introduction to monitor, analyze and learn - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#163 Key take-aways** - Social media requires active monitoring—don’t just post and disappear. - Ethical engagement strategies build long-term credibility and trust. - Repurpose content strategically by linking it to current events or trending topics. - AI tools can support content creation and analysis but should be used with discretion. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/164 ### Title: #164 ### Page ID: 8098354 ### Content: ##### #164 A conversation about European university alliances In this episode of The Grant, I dive deep into the European university alliances through the lens of YUFE – Young Universities for the Future of Europe. Guest Mara-Valerie Schegk, Secretary General of the YUFE Alliance, shares her insider perspective on how YUFE evolved from a bold vision sparked by Emmanuelle Macron’s Sorbonne speech in 2017 into a vibrant, cross-border collaboration of 10 young universities. From joint degrees and lifelong learning initiatives to engaging citizens and nurturing early-career researchers, YUFE exemplifies how university alliances can drive systemic change in European higher education. The episode also unpacks the broader landscape of the 65 European university alliances, spotlighting both the opportunities and the immense amount of alliances suddenly operating. We explore the tensions between Erasmus+ funding and the growing ambition of alliances to operate across research and education. Maria-Valerie and I offer candid reflections on funding sustainability, institutional commitment, and the strategic shift from project-based thinking to long-term integration. If you're curious about the future of European universities—and how they’re navigating complex Brussels dynamics—this conversation is for you. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/165 ### Title: #165 ### Page ID: 8098355 ### Content: ##### #165 A Defence and Security Cluster In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I dive into the role of CENSEC, Denmark’s national cluster for defense, space, and security, and how it facilitates access to EU funding, particularly the European Defense Fund (EDF). The conversation highlights the strategic importance of clusters in fostering innovation and collaboration among SMEs, research institutions, and government bodies. We explore the shifting landscape of defense funding in Europe, especially following Denmark’s recent reintegration into EU defense collaborations, and how this has impacted the availability of resources and support structures for organizations seeking EDF funding. The discussion also underscores the historical reluctance towards defense funding in Denmark anmd Europe and how perceptions are rapidly changing in response to geopolitical threats. The episode further delves into CENSEC’s initiatives, including its EDF Best Practice Group, which brings together grant winners, EU regional offices, the Ministry of Defence, and industry players to share insights and improve Denmark’s performance in securing EDF funding. A key focus is on strategic alliances, where experienced grant recipients mentor newer entrants to enhance participation in EU-funded defense projects. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges of EDF funding—such as its tender-like complexity, stringent co-financing requirements, and the necessity for government backing in applications. Finally, we examine the evolving European defense ecosystem, the increasing role of private-sector investments in security research, and why strengthening Europe’s defense innovation capabilities is now a crucial priority. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/the-widening-series ### Title: The Widening Series ### Page ID: 8098368 ### Content: ##### The Widening Series The Widening Series explores the Widening Programme under Horizon Europe - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/gender ### Title: Gender ### Page ID: 8098393 ### Content: ##### Gender The Gender category episodes digs into the gender issues within EU R&D funding - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/166 ### Title: #166 ### Page ID: 8098394 ### Content: ##### #166 The Communication Activities - The Implementation Series (9) In this Implementation Series episode, I dig into the nuts and bolts of communication and dissemination within EU-funded projects. Returning guests Anna Maria Czarny and Maëla Barçon, both project managers at Hanse-Parlament, to share their hands-on experiences and practices. We discuss the essential distinctions between communication (engaging audiences and promoting activities) and dissemination (sharing project results and knowledge), while highlighting the common confusion and overlap between the two. This nice conversation covers everything from classic tools like newsletters, social media, and websites to innovative tactics such as QR code marketing, localized web pages, and dynamic visual content. The episode offers detailed advice on setting up an effective communication strategy, organizing indicators, building partner engagement, and creatively involving target audiences. It's a practical, behind-the-scenes guide for anyone implementing EU-funded projects who wants to go beyond boilerplate templates and make an actual impact. 00:23:14 The communication & dissemination strategy **EU Commission site on communication, dissemination and exploitation** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/167 ### Title: #167 ### Page ID: 8098395 ### Content: ##### #167 The Dissemination Activities - The Implementation Series (10) In the second half of this Implementation Series double episode on communication and dissemination, my two guests Anna-Maria Czarny and Maëla Barçon from Hanse-Parlament move into unfolding dissemination in EU-funded projects. They unpack what dissemination really means, how it differs from communication, and why the two must work in sync. The discussion includes concrete strategies like using targeted knowledge platforms, printed materials for traditional audiences, and tailoring approaches to each project’s specific socio-economic environment. The episode also explores operational best practices—from organizing partner collaboration and indicators, to planning events that meaningfully present project results. My dear guests share candid stories, such as how a single presentation led to EU-level recognition, and why printing a book might still be your best dissemination tool. The conversation wraps up with useful do's and don'ts, like staying flexible, knowing your target groups, and never sidelining dissemination just because “you’ll do it later.” 00:31:50 Organisation, collaboration and formalities **EU Commission site on communication, dissemination and exploitation** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/security ### Title: Security ### Page ID: 8098413 ### Content: ##### The Grant Security Here you will all content related to defence and security - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/145-146 ### Title: #145 & #146 ### Page ID: 8098683 ### Content: ##### #145 & #146 A Portuguese hub in Brussels Digging into the Brussels bubble is an important part of this podcast initiative. Simply: I want to fold out to the community across Europe how different organisations work within the Brussels eco-system and fold out why it can be beneficial to be present in Brussels. INESC is a large Portuguese private research organisation. It has been present in Brussels for a few years and is quite ambitious in relation to connecting their research teams to the Brussels plug. Ricardo Migueis is the Head of Office at their INESC Brussels Hub and he is one of these persons that have been in Brussels for ages and know the in’s and out’s of how to work the city. Of course I had to take him into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about how INESC is approaching Brussels. And when you put to old Brussels rats together there is a lot to talk about. In other words this is a double episode and in the **first episode** we are digging the reason why they have a Brussels office, how it functions and the important connection back home. In the **second episode** we move into lobbying and project facilitation. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/147 ### Title: #147 ### Page ID: 8098684 ### Content: ##### #147 A defence company in Brussels Since Russia initiated its full-scale attack war on Ukraine the European Commission has changed its discourse 180 degrees on funding defence and security industries. It already started with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 where the Commission started up the European Defence Fund, but with the full-scale war the Commission has ripped off the plaster fully from the realization that we need to be able to protect ourselfes. The EU as a peace project has to be able to defend itself. Terma is a Danish 800 employee large company focused on aerospace, defense, and security specialized in in advanced technologies and solutions for global defense, space, and security markets. It provides high-tech systems such as radar, self-protection equipment, mission systems, and software for military, civilian, and industrial use. I invited their man on Brussels, Severin Schnepp, into the virtual podcast studio to fold out the changing conditions for the defence sector in EU funding, the available funding schemes and not least how Terma is using their Brussels office. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/148 ### Title: #148 ### Page ID: 8098685 ### Content: This episode dives into the foundational principles of effective communication for EU-funded projects, starting with the critical need to understand your audience. Casper shares strategies to identify what resonates with both journalists and their readers, emphasizing the importance of knowing not just your direct audience but also the broader public they serve. The conversation highlights the art of crafting a compelling narrative that connects your project to societal benefits, human impact, and broader relevance. Using relatable examples, the hosts explore how to move from technical jargon to accessible, impactful language that grabs attention. They also discuss how to pitch the intrinsic value of a project and explain why it deserves public and media interest. This episode is an essential guide for anyone looking to refine their approach to project communication, providing tools to bridge the gap between complex ideas and the broader public. 00:03:57 Introduction: How to sell your project to the media - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#148 Key take-aways** - Understanding your audience and their priorities. - Crafting a compelling story that highlights societal and human impact. - Defining the relevance of your project in relatable terms. - Translating complex ideas into accessible language. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/149 ### Title: #149 ### Page ID: 8098687 ### Content: In this episode, the focus shifts to the tactical aspects of communication, starting with the importance of defining a unique angle for your story. The hosts discuss how to distill a project’s complexity into a sharp and focused narrative that cuts through the noise. Casper introduces the concept of leading with conclusions—putting the most interesting and relevant details up front—and the value of adopting a journalist’s perspective when crafting messages. The conversation also delves into the technicalities of writing a press release that grabs attention, covering everything from structure and language to the inclusion of visual assets like photos, infographics, and charts. By making the story visually appealing and accessible, communicators can amplify their chances of media engagement. This episode is packed with practical advice to sharpen messaging and improve the visibility of EU-funded projects. 00:03:02 Introduction: Captivating angles, language and multimedia - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#149 Key take-aways** - Finding and presenting a unique angle for your project. - Writing in clear, relatable, and accessible language. - Preparing a professional press release to engage journalists. - Incorporating multimedia assets (photos, videos, charts) to enhance storytelling. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/150 ### Title: #150 ### Page ID: 8098699 ### Content: The final episode in this series focuses on the critical role of relationship-building in successful communication strategies. The hosts highlight the importance of following up after sending a press release, emphasizing that persistence (when done respectfully) often makes the difference between a missed opportunity and a published story. They discuss how to make interactions with journalists easy and valuable by being prepared, responsive, and available to clarify or expand on details when contacted. Casper shares insights on fostering long-term relationships with journalists through consistent, meaningful interactions, such as commenting on their work or inviting them to relevant events. The discussion also touches on creative ways to build rapport, including the use of humor and personalization to maintain interest. This episode equips listeners with actionable strategies to turn press pitches into lasting professional relationships, ultimately ensuring sustained media coverage for their projects. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#150 Key take-aways** - Following up on press releases to ensure engagement. - Building meaningful relationships with journalists and editors. - Leveraging social media and events for outreach. - Striking the right balance between persistence and respect in communications. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/151 ### Title: #151 ### Page ID: 8098700 ### Content: ##### #151 The SME and the RTO - Building a lasting collaboration In this episode of The Grant, I explore the dynamic partnership between Heatflow, a tech-driven SME specializing in advanced thermal management solutions, and the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), a leading Danish research organization. The discussion dives into how collaboration between SMEs and RTOs drives innovation, turning groundbreaking concepts into market-ready solutions. Featuring guests Paw Mortensen, Managing Director of Heatflow, and Ellen Hedegaard, Business Manager at DTI, the episode examines the benefits of leveraging EU funding, additive manufacturing technologies, and the vital role of aligning shared goals to tackle energy efficiency challenges in industries such as data centers and automotive. Listeners gain insight into how Heatflow and DTI work together to navigate complex EU funding landscapes, developing cutting-edge solutions that reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. From their ongoing projects to fostering innovation in sustainable technologies, the conversation highlights the power of strategic partnerships in achieving long-term success. Whether you're an SME looking for guidance or a researcher aiming to enhance industry collaboration, this episode offers valuable lessons in turning ideas into impactful outcomes. 00:12:55 Introduction to Danish Technological Institute - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/152-153 ### Title: #152 & #153 ### Page ID: 8098710 ### Content: In this double episode , I delve into the intricacies of preparing for an ERC (European Research Council) interview. My guest, Yasmin Wachs, Senior Consultant at Enspire Science, brings over a decade of expertise in guiding researchers through the ERC grant process. With firsthand insights into what makes a proposal stand out, Yasmin offers invaluable advice on crafting a winning narrative, tackling high-risk, high-gain research, and mastering the art of pitching complex ideas under strict time constraints. **In part 1,** Yasmin shares practical tips for researchers to prepare for this pivotal stage in their ERC journey, including insights on panel dynamics, effective communication strategies, and the importance of embracing conceptual risks. Whether you're new to ERC grants or seeking to refine your approach, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to secure funding for groundbreaking research. **In part 2**, we dive into the crucial second stage of the ERC application process—the interview. Yasmin demystifies what happens when candidates face the ERC panel. From understanding the online format to tackling strict time management, Yasmine shares essential insights on how to navigate the high-stakes moment that can make or break an ERC grant application. She provides expert advice on structuring a compelling presentation, managing stress, and handling tough questions from the panel with confidence. Beyond the interview itself, this episode also explores what happens after the panel discussion—how applicants receive feedback, what to do if the funding doesn’t come through, and why reapplying can be a strong strategic move. Whether you’re preparing for an ERC interview or simply curious about the funding process, this discussion offers valuable takeaways on mastering the final stage of ERC funding. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/154 ### Title: #154 ### Page ID: 8098712 ### Content: ##### #154 Gender balance in EU funding The topic of gender balance in EU funding is more relevant than ever, and in this episode, we take a deep dive into the challenges, progress, and ongoing efforts to ensure equal access to funding opportunities. My guest, Anne-Charlotte Joubert, Founder and CEO of WonderFund, shares her insights on how gender imbalances persist in the funding ecosystem and why addressing them is crucial for innovation and economic growth. From the European Commission’s early initiatives to today’s structural challenges, we explore how policies and funding mechanisms are shaping the future for female researchers and entrepreneurs. Together, we discuss the gender funding gap, the Commission’s role in promoting equality, and the initiatives making a real impact, including Anne-Charlotte’s work in supporting women entrepreneurs and researchers. With concrete data, inspiring success stories, and practical steps for change, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in diversity, inclusion, and fair access to research and innovation funding. Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, or investor, this conversation sheds light on how we can build a more equitable funding landscape. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/155 ### Title: #155 ### Page ID: 8098713 ### Content: In this episode, we dive into the foundational aspects of launching a successful newsletter. The discussion kicks off with the importance of defining a clear purpose—whether it’s to inform, engage, or drive action. Without a well-defined objective, a newsletter risks becoming just another email in a crowded inbox. We also explore the critical role of knowing your audience and segmenting them to tailor content effectively. A strong communication strategy requires sticking to a consistent format so that readers know what to expect each time. Lastly, we highlight the importance of revisiting and refining your strategy over time to avoid losing focus and ensure continued effectiveness. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#155 Key take-aways** - Defining clear, SMART communication objectives. - Deeply understanding the target audience and creating a persona. - Conducting a SWOT analysis as a group exercise. Using SWOT insights to develop key messages and choose channels. - Emphasizing the strategic, structured approach to communication planning. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/156 ### Title: #156 ### Page ID: 8098722 ### Content: This episode focuses on making newsletter content engaging and impactful. The first step? Crafting an attention-grabbing subject line that makes recipients want to open the email. The right balance of intrigue, clarity, and action-oriented language can significantly boost open rates. Beyond the subject line, we discuss structuring content effectively by maintaining a mix of short and long sections, serious and light pieces, and ensuring each newsletter is varied but structured. Writing in an engaging, personal, and relatable tone is another key element that fosters connection with readers. Finally, the episode highlights the importance of visuals—using images, videos, and infographics to break up text and enhance comprehension. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#156 Key take-aways** - Crafting subject lines that are concise, intriguing, and clearly convey value. - Structuring content with a balance of long and short sections, serious and light topics. - Writing in an engaging, relatable tone to foster a stronger reader connection. - Using images, videos, and infographics to enhance readability and break up text. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/157 ### Title: #157 ### Page ID: 8098731 ### Content: In this episode, we emphasize the importance of refining and optimizing newsletters before hitting send. With the majority of users reading emails on mobile devices, ensuring that formatting is mobile-friendly (and dark mode compatible) is essential for accessibility. We also cover the need for rigorous proofreading to avoid typos and maintain professionalism. Another key point is crafting clear calls to action that drive engagement and guide readers toward desired actions. Finally, tracking analytics—such as open rates and click-through rates—provides valuable data that can help refine future newsletters and maximize impact. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#157 Key take-aways** - Optimizing newsletters for mobile viewing and ensuring compatibility with dark mode. - Proofreading and editing carefully to maintain credibility and professionalism. - Including clear, compelling calls to action to drive reader engagement. - Tracking open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics to refine future content. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/158-159 ### Title: #158 & #159 ### Page ID: 8098732 ### Content: ##### #158 & #159 EDF proposal writing Securing funding under the European Defence Fund (EDF) requires a structured approach, deep understanding of EU security priorities, and strong consortium coordination. In this two-part special of The Grant Podcast, host Niels Tudor Vinther is joined by Margherita Volpe from Zabala Innovation Europe, an expert in security, defence, and space funding. Together, they provide a comprehensive guide to writing a competitive EDF proposal, from concept development to final submission. If you’re applying for EDF funding, these episodes will equip you with the insights needed to navigate the complexities of this highly competitive programme. **Part 1** focuses on the preparation phase, detailing how to develop a strong concept, build a well-structured consortium, and align project objectives with EDF priorities. Margherita explains how to approach work package structuring, funding mechanisms, and partner collaboration, ensuring proposals meet the strict requirements of the EDF. This episode also covers Ministry of Defence approvals, co-financing declarations, and the importance of integrating SMEs and midcaps to maximize funding success. **Part 2** moves into the writing, submission, and strategic management of EDF proposals. This episode breaks down the nine key sections of an EDF proposal, offering guidance on budget structuring, innovation potential, security requirements, and consortium governance. Margherita shares strategies to overcome common proposal roadblocks, from handling consortium diplomacy and industry-specific challenges to ensuring compliance with EDF’s strict submission process. If you’re serious about winning EDF funding, this deep dive provides essential, practical advice for crafting a competitive application. 00:36:26 Shaping of proposal concept with consortium - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/the-brussels-office ### Title: The Brussels Office ### Page ID: 8099140 ### Content: ##### The Brussels Office Insights from the Brussels eco-system. There is an endless amount of representations and liaison offices in Brussels related to EU funding. This series will unfold the environment and share the complexity, importance and key focuses of these officies with lots of knowledge-sharing, advice and demystifying the eco-system. **#44 &** **#45** **Processes4Planet - A European Partnership** **#71 West Norway Office - Representing a region w. guest Merete Mikkelsen** **#76 &** **#****77 Circular Bio-based Europe w. guests Virginia Puzzolo and Dieter Brigitta** **#78 Ocean Energy Europe - From keeping afloat to riding the waves w. guest Rémi Gruet** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/leads-jobs ### Title: Leads & Jobs Portal ### Page ID: 8099141 ### Content: ##### The Grant Leads & Jobs Portal Here you will find an overview of requests received by The Grant for jobs, vacancies, adhoc requests for support on specific leads from The Grant network. And not least, everybody with extra capacity to support and develop proposals. To get your request on this list or to share your availability to support simply write niels@thegrant.eu or connect with Niels Tudor-Vinther on LinkedIn Direct contact:Rrezart DemaEmail: demarrezart@gmail.com Horizon Europe proposals looking for capacities within: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Education, teaching and learning - Criminal correctional justice - Community development - Capacity building - Materials - Chemistry - Clean energy technologies - Climate Adaptation and Mitigation - Standards and metrology related to environmental management - Papermaking/paper and pulp industry/tree-free paper - Printing (including security printing of secure credentials) - K-12 education (with a focus on science education) - Grants consultancy position - 13 years of experience - Strong capacities on ICT and software - Turkish national - Grant Writing - Project Coordination - Project Implementation (Including Remote) - EU, Erasmus+, Horizon, Capacity building - USAID grants/7+ years experience - Education - Social - Entrepreneurship - Youth, Women and Minorities - Politics - Scientific/Medical - Technology - Capacity Building - Social - Education - Emergency situation response - Justice and rule of law --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/q-a ### Title: Q&A ### Page ID: 8099150 ### Content: ##### The Grant Q&A ##### #64: Q&A - Erasmus+ Partnerships for Cooperation - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - A guest has some questions in relation to EU funding - Another guest is a capacity exactly within that area. - And voila: everybody working on that same funding scheme gets real life worries, questions, reflections and answers from somebody in the same shoes. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/funding-schemes ### Title: Funding Schemes ### Page ID: 8099167 ### Content: ##### Funding schemes Here you find entries to the different funding schemes that has been presented in The Grant - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/horizon-europe ### Title: Horizon Europe ### Page ID: 8099248 ### Content: ##### Horizon Europe ##### The Timeline Series with step-by-step guidance to Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals ##### #8 How to develop a clear concept with clever angles w. guest Kristjan Zemljic ##### #13 The SME Issue w. guest Jonas Hansen ##### #14 Innovation clusters and Eastern Europe w. guest Katarzyna Kowalska ##### #15 Break on through to the other side - Communicating Horizon Europe w. guest Casper Ravnsted-Larsen ##### #16 The European Partnerships w. guest Marie Latour ##### #23 & #24 The NTNU Brussels Office ##### #30 Get to the point! Research input in Horizon proposals w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev ##### #31 No-Copy-Approach - Shaping winning communication sections w. guest Sean Jones ##### #32 VITO's way up - Building a research organisation on EU funds w. guest Ludo Diels ##### #37 & #38 Horizon and waste handling w. guest David Christensen ##### #41 & #42 How to brokerage - Networking for EU funding w. guest Lara Valentin Carrera ##### #44 & #45 Processes4Planet - A European Partnership ##### #48 Crowdhelix - An open innovation platform w. guest Michael Browne ##### #50 Circular Bio-based Europe - Info Day Special ##### #60 Utilizing project results w. guest Catherine Collins ##### #61 The Research Manager w. guest Alice Barbaglio ##### #63 Large industry and EU funding w. guest Agnes Zoller ##### #65 Energy companies and EU funding w. guest Amy Radlberger ##### #66 & # 67 Tuscany in Brussels w. guest Simona Costa Here you will a detailed guide to prepare Horizon Europe proposal and all content related to influencing, clusters, Brussels-eco system etc. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/erasmusplus ### Title: Erasmus+ ### Page ID: 8099292 ### Content: ##### Erasmus+ ##### The Timeline Series with step-by-step guidance to Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals. ##### #52 & #53 Erasmus+ funding programme - An introduction ##### #39 & #40 foRMAtion - An Erasmus+ example w. guest Virág Zsár ##### #56 Erasmus+ and NGO's w. guest Daiana Huber ##### #64 Q&A - Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships Here you will find an introduction to the Erasmus+ funding scheme together with project presentations and how to prepare a proposal. There are also much generic proposal preparation tips that are useful for Erasmus+ proposals **#80 & #81: Erasmus+ proposal preparation w. expert panel** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/erc ### Title: ERC ### Page ID: 8099301 ### Content: ##### The Timeline Series with step-by-step guidance to Horizon Europe proposals ##### The Grant Campus - Focus on R&D ##### #30 Get to the point! Research input in Horizon proposals w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev ##### #57 & #58 ERC - An introduction w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev ##### The Grant Collaboration - Enspire Science Series - #3 Creating a string ERC narrative Here you will information in how to prepare an ERC proposal and content related to working with the ERC programme - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/european-defence-fund ### Title: European Defence Fund ### Page ID: 8099302 ### Content: ##### European Defence Fund ##### The Timeline Series with step-by-step guidance to Horizon Europe proposals. Useful tips for EDF ##### #68 & #69 European Defence Fund - An introduction ##### #158 & #159 EDF proposal writing Here you will find episodes with introduction to the programme and as I move on advice on proposals preparation, project implementation and other relevant information. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/life ### Title: LIFE ### Page ID: 8099305 ### Content: ##### The Timline Series - step-by-step guidance proposal preparation - also useful for LIFE ##### The AI Series - guidance on how to use LLMs and Chatbots for proposal preparation ##### #88 & #89 The LIFE Programme - An introdcution ##### Link to the EU Commissions LIFE site Here you will find information about the LIFE programme incl. introduction, proposal examples and how people work with the funding scheme - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/coordinator ### Title: Coordinator ### Page ID: 8099306 ### Content: ##### The Implementation Series ##### The Timeline Series ##### #82 EMDESK - Managing proposals and projects ##### #85 "Collaboration in EU projects" - A book conversation ##### #86 Eat the frog - A tool for coordinators ##### #87 REDOL - A Horizon Europe project ##### #90 & #91 Horizon Europe evaluation ##### #99 & #100 From lab to consultant - A conversation with INRAE **The Grant Coordinator** is the corner for all you coordinators out there working hard on coordinating proposal processes and implementing those great funded projects. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/working-with-the-grant ### Title: Working with The Grant ### Page ID: 8099344 ### Content: ##### Working with The Grant ##### Your own episode or series ##### EU projects ##### Boosting attention for events ##### Reach out The Grant is ready to collaborate! Have you been listening to The Grant and thinking "I would like to have such a thing", then your prayers have been heard. Together with The Grant you have the opportunity to create your own episode or series. A framework agreement for longer more stable collaboration is of course also possible. The Grant can join your consortium or be a subcontracter and give more depth to your communication and dissemination activities. It opens up a much stronger connection with the stakeholders and communities you want to reach Together with The Grant you can develop podcast episodes that promotes an upcoming event that you are preparing. It can be anything from annual meetings, information meetings, work shops, brokerages etc. Here you can for instance invite participants for the event in the episode. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/shorts ### Title: Shorts ### Page ID: 8099370 ### Content: ##### The Grant Shorts ##### #168 Research Manager Series (1) - Developing a Strategy ##### #162 Shorts - Attention on SoMe (2): Engaging and concise language ##### #163 Shorts - Attention on SoMe (3): Monitor and learn ##### #157 Shorts - Clicks on your newsletter (3): Final touches ##### #161 Shorts - Attention on SoMe (1): Be strategic ##### #155 Shorts - Clicks on your newsletter (1): Purpose and format ##### #156 Shorts - Click on your newsletter (2): Catchy content ##### #149 Sell your project to the media (2): Captivating angles and language ##### #150 Sell your project to the media (3): Build relations ##### #144 Building a Communication Strategy (3) ##### Measure, Learn and Adapt ##### #148 Sell your project to the media (1): ##### Impact and relevance ##### #142 Building a Communication Strategy (1) ##### Identify and Define ##### #143 Building a Communication Strategy (2) ##### Create and Engage ##### #124 3rd job: Offshoreenergy.dk - Head of Funding in a cluster ##### #125 Engaging SMEs from Brussels ##### #105 From BXL to HQ - The distance problem ##### #106 Impact in Brussels with few resources ##### #98 Programme Committee Member ##### #104 2nd job: The Alliance for Offshore Renewables ##### #96 1st job: Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation ##### #97 National Contact Point This is the site The Grant Shorts - the short format of the podcast. It will follow the some line of content and discourse - just in a shorter format. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/insights-to-my-career ### Title: Insights to my Career ### Page ID: 8099383 ### Content: ##### Insights to my career - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enspire-science ### Title: Enspire Science ### Page ID: 8099424 ### Content: [Enspire Science Ltd.](https://enspire.science/) is a leading consulting and training service provider with expertise in European Research Funding. Research institutions, hospitals, and technology companies leverage their decades worth of expertise in EU funding to realize the full potential of their research projects. Enspire Science Ltd. applies their unique methodology and customized services to create new funding opportunities, accelerate ongoing applications, and more effectively present research to relevant funding players. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enspire-science-1 ### Title: Enspire Science 1 ### Page ID: 8099485 ### Content: ##### Enspire Science Series - #1 The coordination dilemma Whether or not to coordinate a proposal and a project is the question many orginisations ask themselves especially in the beginning of a proposal preparation process. There are many advantages attached to the role: you are in control of the narrative, you are in contact with all partners, you get the advantage of having the final say and you lift your organisation up into the higher spheres of R&D and innovation area that you are working in. However, coordinating a proposal and a project is also a very intense work with a cacophony of responsibilities and tasks. Administratively your organisations has to be up to it to lift the work also under pressure. You are the one everybody is looking at, so you have to be ready to not only lead the logistics and processes, but also in relation to the content-related matters you need to follow the work that goes on throughout the full project – not just the ones that you have knowledge about yourself. Andrea Ratkošová - Horizon Europe Grants Consultant and Project Manager at Enspire Science - has coordinated a large amount of proposal preparations and projects. We teamed up for a talk about what to be aware before talking the decision to coordinate a proposal or a project. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enspire-science-2 ### Title: Enspire Science 2 ### Page ID: 8099518 ### Content: ##### Enspire Science Series - #2 Explaining lump sum **This podcast episode is part of a collaboration between Enspire Science and The Grant.** The introduction of the lump sum budget principle in Horizon Europe is one of the biggest changes in the EU framework programme for research and development for a decade. The principle has been introduced to secure more simplicity and less bureaucracy in the project implementation. In short, the principle secures more freedom in how to spend the allocated funding and less demanding financial reporting practices. However, the devil is - as we all know - in the detail and some of the regulation in relation to the lump sum principle might create some unforeseen challenges both for the beneficiaries and the funding administrators in the European Commission. Managing Director in Enspire Science Yoram Bar-Zeev is an expert in financial principles of the framework programmes. We teamed up for him to share with you and me the main principles of the lump sum approach and sharing some reflections on the positive elements and the implications we might run into. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enspire-science-3 ### Title: Enspire Science 3 ### Page ID: 8099519 ### Content: ##### Enspire Science Series - #3 Creating a strong ERC narrative This podcast episode is part of a collaboration between Enspire Science and The Grant. Creating a strong narrative for your EU project can be quite a challenge. The ERC funding scheme targeted towards research is one of the most popular funding schemes for the European research community and, hence, it is also challenging to get the funding. In other words, to stand out against other proposals it is vital to create a strong narrative around your research idea. Marianna Riutin is a Life Science Consultant at Enspire Science. Especially the life science area is fitting the ERC programme and therefore she has a lot of experience in creating captivating and solid narratives for proposals towards this funding scheme. In this great podcast episode she shares with you and me the key elements to be aware of in order to create a strong narrative – whether you already have a project idea or would like to shape one from your research. 00:50:22 What elements should the narrative include **Link to the Enspire Science article database on ERC** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/communication-shorts ### Title: Communication Shorts ### Page ID: 8099522 ### Content: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Defining clear, SMART communication objectives. - Deeply understanding the target audience and creating a persona. - Conducting a SWOT analysis as a group exercise. Using SWOT insights to develop key messages and choose channels. - Emphasizing the strategic, structured approach to communication planning. - Creating consistent key messages that capture the organization's essence. - Selecting communication channels based on target audience preferences. - Developing a content calendar to plan and organize communication activities. - Engaging the audience through interactive tools like polls and webinars. - Emphasizing the importance of two-way communication and audience feedback. - Measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts. - Adapting the communication strategy based on data and audience feedback. - Reacting to changing target audience needs and priorities. - Ensuring consistency and coherence through team training and management. - Developing a core narrative to guide the overall communication strategy. - **Episode 1 - Key take-aways** - Understanding your audience and their priorities. - Crafting a compelling story that highlights societal and human impact. - Defining the relevance of your project in relatable terms. - Translating complex ideas into accessible language. - **Episode 2 - Key take-aways** - Finding and presenting a unique angle for your project. - Writing in clear, relatable, and accessible language. - Preparing a professional press release to engage journalists. - Incorporating multimedia assets (photos, videos, charts) to enhance storytelling. - **Episode 3 - Key take-aways** - Following up on press releases to ensure engagement. - Building meaningful relationships with journalists and editors. - Leveraging social media and events for outreach. - Striking the right balance between persistence and respect in communications. - **#155 Key take-aways** - Defining clear, SMART communication objectives. - Deeply understanding the target audience and creating a persona. - Conducting a SWOT analysis as a group exercise. Using SWOT insights to develop key messages and choose channels. - Emphasizing the strategic, structured approach to communication planning. - **#156 Key take-aways** - Crafting subject lines that are concise, intriguing, and clearly convey value. - Structuring content with a balance of long and short sections, serious and light topics. - Writing in an engaging, relatable tone to foster a stronger reader connection. - Using images, videos, and infographics to enhance readability and break up text. - **#157 Key take-aways** - Optimizing newsletters for mobile viewing and ensuring compatibility with dark mode. - Proofreading and editing carefully to maintain credibility and professionalism. - Including clear, compelling calls to action to drive reader engagement. - Tracking open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics to refine future content. - **#161 Key take-aways** - View social platforms as strategic tools rather than passive broadcasting channels. - Timing and audience segmentation are critical for maximizing post engagement. - Use compelling, audience-specific narratives to make complex topics relatable. - Hashtags and platform-specific adaptations can significantly enhance reach and visibility. - **#162 Key take-aways** - The first two sentences of a post determine whether your audience will continue reading. - Bold statements, statistics, and questions help capture attention. - Visual content (images, infographics, videos) significantly boosts engagement. - Calls to action should be direct and encourage interaction beyond passive consumption. - **#163 Key take-aways** - Social media requires active monitoring—don’t just post and disappear. - Ethical engagement strategies build long-term credibility and trust. - Repurpose content strategically by linking it to current events or trending topics. - AI tools can support content creation and analysis but should be used with discretion. - **#173 Key take-aways** - Don’t outsource your strategy to AI—communication needs human intent. - Communicating research means translating, not just informing. - Strategy, consistency, and engagement are the trinity of great outreach. - Treat communication as core—not a checkbox. - **#174 Key take-aways** - Engagement isn't likes—it’s curiosity, connection, and action. - Creativity is what gets your project noticed—use it with purpose. - Communication can be taught—but motivation is key. - Train your team, but don’t underestimate natural talent --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/attention-on-some ### Title: Attention on SoMe ### Page ID: 8099523 ### Content: **Are we talking BS? Share your thoughts on the LinkedIn post** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - **#161 Key take-aways** - View social platforms as strategic tools rather than passive broadcasting channels. - Timing and audience segmentation are critical for maximizing post engagement. - Use compelling, audience-specific narratives to make complex topics relatable. - Hashtags and platform-specific adaptations can significantly enhance reach and visibility. - **#162 Key take-aways** - The first two sentences of a post determine whether your audience will continue reading. - Bold statements, statistics, and questions help capture attention. - Visual content (images, infographics, videos) significantly boosts engagement. - Calls to action should be direct and encourage interaction beyond passive consumption. - **#163 Key take-aways** - Social media requires active monitoring—don’t just post and disappear. - Ethical engagement strategies build long-term credibility and trust. - Repurpose content strategically by linking it to current events or trending topics. - AI tools can support content creation and analysis but should be used with discretion. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/the-implementation-series ### Title: The Implementation Series ### Page ID: 8099544 ### Content: ##### The Implementation Series In The Implementation Series I am going through every single step of the project implementation process. The series is a guiding series to help, support and add reflections on how to optimize your approach to carry out EU funded projects - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/opinion ### Title: Opinion ### Page ID: 8099575 ### Content: ##### The Grant Opinion ##### #11 The Summer Struggle ##### #73 Like a lice between two nails ##### #123 Staying sane as a Research Manager Episodes under this label will include debates and opinion-related episodes in regards to the EU R&D funding area. Special focus will be given to mental health and proposal preparation. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/airinvet ### Title: AIRINVET ### Page ID: 8099594 ### Content: **Driving European competitiveness with applied research in VET for SMEs** AIRinVET aims to drive European economic competitiveness and support the green and digital transition through the promotion of applied innovation and research (AIR) in vocational education and training (VET) for SMEs and industry. We identified VET centers involved in applied research (AR), conducted case studies, and developed tools that will help SMEs engage in applied research. By collaborating with regional innovation agents, we are working towards building a brighter future for R&D. Join us in our efforts to enhance the European economy and promote innovation through VET. Getting applied research stronger integrated into vocational education is of key importance in moving education and industry closer and develop a stronger understanding between them. The Erasmus+ project AIRinVET has through its two-year duration focused on transforming vocational education through applied research. The project has developed tools and frameworks that equip Vocational Education and Training centers to collaborate effectively with SMEs, bridging gaps between education and industry while driving innovation and competitiveness. In the virtual podcast studio, I have three of the core partners: Barbara van Ginneken from Katapult, the Netherlands, Maëla Barçon from Hanse-Parlament, Germany and Iñigo Mujika from Tknika, Basque Country, Spain. We have a conversation about the challenges that the project addresses and dig into the tools and results that have come out of the efforts. 00:08:34 Setting the scene: why applied research in VET? **Direct link to tools for Vocational Education and Training** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/msca ### Title: MSCA ### Page ID: 8099604 ### Content: ##### Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - An introduction Here you will find podcast episodes focusing on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions funding scheme under Horizon Europe. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/win4smes ### Title: WIN4SMES ### Page ID: 8099621 ### Content: ### #115 A Kick Off Meeting - The WIN4SMES case ### #140 An Erasmus+ peak - Train-the-trainer WIN4SMES and The Grant has joined forces to share insights from the project through a series of podcast episodes. WIN4SMEs unites the forces of vocational schools, universities, and business support organizations, crafting a vibrant collaboration to elevate the level of workplace innovation to unprecedented heights. Imagine a world where educational institutions and business aid groups unite to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. This dynamic blend of perspectives and insights will result in a holistic, comprehensive approach to fostering creativity, productivity, and innovation. WIN4SMEs is more than just a project – it’s a transformational movement. Creating an integrated learning network across Europe is set to usher in a new era of growth and development. Universities contribute cutting-edge research and progressive methodologies; vocational schools offer practical skills and real-world insights; business support organizations provide strategic guidance and operational expertise. This combined effort will unlock the full potential of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), creating an environment that promotes innovation and makes it a natural part of the workplace culture. The benefits are enormous: improved productivity, increased competitiveness, and enhanced job satisfaction among employees. With WIN4SMEs, European companies are not just adapting to the future, they’re leading the way. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this remarkable journey. WIN4SMEs – revolutionizing workplace innovation for the businesses of tomorrow. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/ai-series ### Title: AI Series ### Page ID: 8099653 ### Content: ##### The AI Series This is the section where you will find the series that digs into the development of that chatbot and LLM machines in relation to EU R&D funding. Take a deep breath, relax, and let's think this through step by step until you get it right for this prompt. This is a combination of several techniques: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") 1. "Let's" assumes cooperation, yields better results than saying "do." 2. "Step-by-step" initiates deeper reasoning, useful for complex thinking, strategies, 3. "I trust you..." emotional prompts, encourages LLM, and results in better outputs. 1. Download the Opera browser, then: 2. On the left panel of the Opera setting's page, you will see “Privacy & Security. Click on that to access and activate the Opera browser VPN. 3. Scroll down to “VPN” section. ... 4. Once it has been activated you will see a blue VPN badge on the left side of the address bar. 5. That's it. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/projects ### Title: Projects ### Page ID: 8099771 ### Content: ##### Projects Here is the entry to the collaboration between The Grant and EU funded projects. Each project collaboration has their own dedicated site. Here you find podcast episodes dedicated to sharing project content and podcast episodes as part of project communication and dissemination plans. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/services ### Title: Services ### Page ID: 8099796 ### Content: # The Grant Services ## My experience - your successful podcasts and scouting ##### Want to hear more? Reach out! I develop podcast episodes and podcast series for EU funded projects. You decide the content - I deliver the production and host the podcast episodes. **18 years’ of experience** of **scouting, identifying and mapping** stakeholders and ecosystems and opening doors across FP7, Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, LIFE, Erasmus+ and mission‑oriented Briefing from client → search → shortlist → introductions → follow‑up → connection confirmed. **4 years' of podcasting experience** including all elements **of development, producing and marketing** More than 200 podcast episodes released with three different podcast concepts. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Scouting **partners** for your proposal - Identifying **coordinators** for your proposal - Identifying **proposals under preparation** that you want to join --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/144 ### Title: #144 ### Page ID: 8106590 ### Content: **Building a Communication Strategy - Episode 3: Measure, Learn and Adapt** Casper Ravnsted-Larsen is an old contact from Brussels. He is a journalist and has been working on a generic communication strategy outline for organisations. We decided to build a podcast series rolling out this strategy in short and concise episodes with concrete examples. With this I also want to get closer to you, dear listener. We want to get your feedback and for you to share your experience and insights on the topics we discuss because it adds depth and reflection to the benefit for all. So, what will I do? Maybe you noticed my LinkedIn post with a mug? You can win that mug. The next five months we will release episodes in this series. And every month we choose the best comment or question posted on LinkedIn to win an exclusive The Grant mug. You can’t buy this mug – you can only win it. And even better! By the end of the series we will make a listener panel episode where all five winners of the mug will be invited for a podcast recording where we discuss and exchange on communication strategy within EU R&D funding. Now, lets get going. In the first three episodes we focus on building the strategy. You have just listened to the first two episode where we looked into defining objectives, defining audience, creating key messages and choosing communication channels. In this third and final episode in this batch of episodes we zoom in on importance of measuring and evaluating the effectiveness, importance of adapting and iterating and finally some focus on training your team. If you want to follow our script while listening, you can find that on the episode site. You find the link in the episode notes where you listen to your podcast - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts. - Adapting the communication strategy based on data and audience feedback. - Reacting to changing target audience needs and priorities. - Ensuring consistency and coherence through team training and management. - Developing a core narrative to guide the overall communication strategy. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/143 ### Title: #143 ### Page ID: 8106591 ### Content: **Building a Communication Strategy - Episode 2: Create and Engage** Casper Ravnsted-Larsen is an old contact from Brussels. He is a journalist and has been working on a generic communication strategy outline for organisations. We decided to build a podcast series rolling out this strategy in short and concise episodes with concrete examples. With this I also want to get closer to you, dear listener. We want to get your feedback and for you to share your experience and insights on the topics we discuss because it adds depth and reflection to the benefit for all. So, what will I do? Maybe you noticed my LinkedIn post with a mug? You can win that mug. The next five months we will release episodes in this series. And every month we choose the best comment or question posted on LinkedIn to win an exclusive The Grant mug. You can’t buy this mug – you can only win it. And even better! By the end of the series we will make a listener panel episode where all five winners of the mug will be invited for a podcast recording where we discuss and exchange on communication strategy within EU R&D funding. Now, lets get going. In the first three episodes we focus on building the strategy. You have just listened to first episode in this batch of three on how to define objectives, identify your target audience and doing a SWAT analysis. In this second episode we zoom in on creating key messages, communication channels, content calendar and two-way communication. If you want to follow our script while listening, you can find that on the episode site. You find the link in the episode notes where you listen to your podcast. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Creating consistent key messages that capture the organization's essence. - Selecting communication channels based on target audience preferences. - Developing a content calendar to plan and organize communication activities. - Engaging the audience through interactive tools like polls and webinars. - Emphasizing the importance of two-way communication and audience feedback. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/142 ### Title: #142 ### Page ID: 8106592 ### Content: **Building a Communication Strategy - Episode 1: Identify and Define** When you podcast you sometimes need to shake things up and try to do things differently. I have launched a short format some time ago, but it needed some rethinking. So here it is: my first shot at serving you vibrant short podcast episodes with strong engagement. Casper Ravnsted-Larsen is an old contact from Brussels. He is a journalist and has been working on a generic communication strategy outline for organisations. We decided to build a podcast series rolling out this strategy in short and concise episodes with concrete examples. With this I also want to get closer to you, dear listener. We want to get your feedback and for you to share your experience and insights on the topics we discuss because it adds depth and reflection to the benefit for all. So, what will I do? Maybe you noticed my LinkedIn post with a mug? You can win that mug. The next five months we will release episodes in this series. And every month we choose the best comment or question posted on LinkedIn to win an exclusive The Grant mug. You can’t buy this mug – you can only win it. And even better! By the end of the series we will make a listener panel episode where all five winners of the mug will be invited for a podcast recording where we discuss and exchange on communication strategy within EU R&D funding. Now, lets get going. In the first three episodes we focus on building the strategy. Here in the first out of three we run through defining objectives, identifying target audience and doing a SWAT analysis. On the episode site you will find our script so that can follow our discussion. You find the link in the episode notes where you listen to your podcast - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Defining clear, SMART communication objectives. - Deeply understanding the target audience and creating a persona. - Conducting a SWOT analysis as a group exercise. Using SWOT insights to develop key messages and choose channels. - Emphasizing the strategic, structured approach to communication planning. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/141 ### Title: #141 ### Page ID: 8106593 ### Content: ##### #141 The AI Series - The funding administrator The AI Series is a popular initiative. Of course, because many of you are sponges that want to get as much information, guidance and critical mass on how to use the Large Language Models. In the first five episodes in the series my dear guests Rita and Kristjan have been taking us through different corners of this new technology and in the last round we had a double episode focusing on the critical points of the chatbots. Now, finally, it is time for the perspective of the funding administrator. Rosie Afia-Ford is Senior Innovation Fund Manager in Caribou Digital which is running the Mastercard Strive programme. She wrote a blogpost on exactly the topic of how the chatbots are changing the world for funding administrators. Of course, Rita, Kristjan and I had to get her into the virtual podcast studio. It became a wonderful conversation about new opportunities for beneficiaries, the responsibilities of funding administrators and the challenges they are facing with these new technologies. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/140 ### Title: #140 ### Page ID: 8106594 ### Content: ##### #140 An Erasmus+ peak - Train-the-trainers The Grant are many things. I try to help with advice, insights, how-to’s, don’t’-do’s and generally give a voice to the community. But The Grant is also opening up on practicalities. How are actual projects working when they are running. And this week is a peak into an Erasmus+ project Through my daytime-work I am involved in an Erasmus+ project called WIN4SMES focused on securing enough heads and hands in the future for manufacturing SMEs. And of course I am instrumentalizing The Grant in the project: I recorded an episode when we had the kick-off meeting in April in Hamburg and we will be recording an episode everytime we have a partner meeting. In October we met for a partner meeting and a train-the-trainer session. The programme was arranged as an internal partner course with guidelines on how to set up and run a local collaboration between vocational training schools, industry and universities. Hence, the focus of this project podcast episode is on the train-the-trainer as a concept. This became a nice conversation about how to set this up and the complexity of carrying it out. 00:08:32 Train-the-trainer - role in the project concept - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/139 ### Title: #139 ### Page ID: 8106595 ### Content: ##### #139 EFFRA - Manufacturing industry in Brussels Opening up the Brussels bubble is always fascinating. Especially when looking into the section of the bubble that is close linked to shaping and forming work programme content - short and long-term. EFFRA – or European Factories of the Future Research Association – is one of the European Partnerships. This means that the organisation is feeding input into the Horizon Europe work programmes and have their own section – Made in Europe. Chris Decubber is one of my contacts that goes way back. Probably 15 years. He has been an advisor for EFFRA since it was inaugurated in 2009 which of course means he has an extremely solid knowledge about how to facilitate strategic positions for the manufacturing industries vis-à-vis the EU R&D Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Hence, he has been on my list of preferred guests for a while. So here it is. We have an interesting conversation about the work EFFRA does, their role in the eco-system and how they work with the input for the work programmes. Great content! **More episodes with focus on the Brussels eco-system** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/137-138 ### Title: #137 & #138 ### Page ID: 8106701 ### Content: ##### #137 & #138 Periodic reporting - The Implementation Series (7-8) Reporting to the EU Commission in a funded project is an art in itself. From the face of it, it looks like a fairly simple part of implementing a project, but of course it is not. The complexity of implementing the projects combined with the number of partners and being on top of regulation and formalities all adds to this task being something that anybody should prepare solidly for. Thanks God you all got The Grant to give a helping hand! In The Implementation Series I am doing everything I can – together with guest experts - to give everybody input, information and critical mass on how to carry out an EU funded project. This week and the next the wonderful Serena Cogoni, Horizon Europe Expert, takes us all through the in’s and out’s of periodic reporting. In the **first half** of the double episode we zoom in on what is exactly the requirements of periodic reporting, how to prepare yourself and your administrative systems and finally Serena runs through the first periodic reporting itself. In the **second half** we dig into the elements of the final reporting including the relationship to the project officer, the online reporting submission system, strategies to develop a compelling final report and not least some tips and do’s and don’t’s. Exactly what you need if you are implementing an EU project! 00:12:22 Understanding Horizon Europe reporting requirements - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/135-136 ### Title: #135 & #136 ### Page ID: 8106702 ### Content: ##### #135 & #136 The AI Series (4-5) - The Evaluator and The Critic The AI Series is a popular initiative. Of course because many of you are sponges that want to get as much information, guidance and critical mass on how to use the Large Language Models. And the first three episodes in the series have been showered in enthusiasm since my dear guests Rita and Kristjan have very actively incorporated the tools in their workflow as proposals preparers. Now, we need some critical voices on this series and we agreed in the last episode to try to get a proposal evaluator and an outspoken critic about the LLMs. So, here it is: independent consultant and Horizon Europe evaluator Maria Daniela Angione and Erasmus+ proposal and project expert Daiana Huber shares their concerns and critical points-of-view in a very nice discussion about the Chatbot-regime. In the **first part** of the double episode Maria Daniela is giving an insight into the evaluator perspective on this development and Rita and I had a chance to ask into how the evaluators navigate this new landscape. In the **second part** criticism rams up with Erasmus+ expert Daiana Huber sharing why she considers the LLMs a mirage and why she thinks it makes proposals and projects less worth. And then we have a lovely discussion about it! This is fantastic! - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/134 ### Title: #134 ### Page ID: 8106703 ### Content: ##### #134 The pain of rejections Proposals become like little babies for the proposal coordinators. There is no end to the number of times guests on The Grant have referred to their submitted proposals and projects as their babies. However, many of these babies get rejected before they come to live. Rejections are an essential part of submitting EU proposals - whoever has been even the slightest involved in EU R&D funding proposals have received rejections. But it is for the proposal coordinator that the rejections can be a real mental challenge. And why is? That’s because the proposal coordinator often also is the one who develops the idea from scratch, involves key partners, make a solid effort to sell the idea and making it even stronger, deals with whatever challenges arise during the preparation of leaving partners, rough budget discussions, text developing issues and so on and so on. There is no end to how much a proposal developer invests of her or him self in this process which in the end results in a sort of symbiosis with the proposal. All this of course means that when the Evaluation Summary Report arrives and the email text start out with the sentence: ‘Sorry to inform you that your project has not been granted funding’, it can hit hard. My good old colleague from PNO - Elena Calzado Roldan, Innovation Management Expert in Smart Innovation Norway asked me if we could do an episode about the roughness of receiving these rejections for your little babies. We discuss why this is difficult and how to cope with it. Indeed this is an episode that should interest a lot of you out there. 00:35:01 Organizational and personal impacts of rejections **Link to scientifyResearch with links to alternative funding** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/133 ### Title: #133 ### Page ID: 8106706 ### Content: ##### #133 Building communities for startups Startups are the organisations that are the most in need of finance. They almost literally spend all waking hours figuring out how to acquire the financial means to realize their wonderful ideas. However, the funding system as well as the venture capital area are both quite rough on them. Niloufar Gharavi is a startup’er herself. But she also had a good idea a couple of years ago: why not try to establish an ecosystem where startups are in the same community as the organisations that they need to collaborate with to realize their ideas – companies, research, governments and so on? She founded the Euro Nordic Funding Alliance, put her hand in fire and scrabbed together enough money to do a kick off meeting last year inviting exactly that – startups, companies, venture capitalist and funding scheme administrators – to build a project facilitating community where the raising of capital is on the full solution/project and not just the individual startup. Making everything stronger and making the startups less vulnerable. Naturally, I had to bring Niloufar into the virtual podcast studio to share how on earth she did this out of thin air and how it works in all practicality. This is great stuff! 00:08:23 Understanding Euro Nordic Funding Alliance - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/131-132 ### Title: #131 & #132 ### Page ID: 8106707 ### Content: ##### #131 & #132 The project officer The Implementation Series (5 & 6) The project officer is the key person for any project. It is the person that is the EU representative towards the project and in this respect their core responsibilities include securing well-run projects, deliverables on time, financial accountability and all-in-all that the projects are living up to the grant agreement signed with the EU Commission. There are of course many layers to these formal elements in the day-to-day work as a project officer. In other words, in my Implementation Series I have reached the introductory episode about the project officers. It is not often that I am able to get the point-of-view from the side of the EU Commission and I didn’t manage either for this episode, but I managed to get a former project officer onboard. Sergio Ferreira – now Senior Innovation Advisor in Norway Health Tech - was a EU Commission project officer for six years. Hence, he has years of experience in the role. In the **first part of this double episode h**e introduces to us all the key aspects of the role and shares the different layers of formalities and social skills that is embedded in the role. In the **second part of the double episode** we will dig into how the connection with the project consortia works both formally and informally. And then of course he offers a piece of advice. This is pure gold! 00:31:40 The project officer - their side of the table 00:01:50 The connection to the project coordinators **Link to Europa Media introduction on how to work with the project officer** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/130 ### Title: #130 ### Page ID: 8106708 ### Content: ##### #130 Small town - big challenges: EU funding as the key The EU Commission is committed to supporting municipalities and towns throughout the continent and not just the big cities. Smaller communities a little off the track are relying quite a lot on the complex of funding schemes focused on their issues and challenges. Gata de Gorgos is a town between Valencia and Alicante on the eastern coast of Spain. Through LinkedIn I got in contact with the great Leticia Monfort-Peiro Barth who is the Deputy Mayor of the municipality. She is a one-woman-army for the town in their efforts to approach funding for developing activities. I invited her into the virtual podcast studio to have a talk about how on earth she manages this with practically no resources. It became a wonderful conversation about conditions in small communities and the challenges that especially climate change brings to especially the agricultural sector in the Mediterranean region. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/129 ### Title: #129 ### Page ID: 8106709 ### Content: ##### #129 The coordinator role - The Implementation Series (4) Coordinating a funded EU project is quite a task to pick up. Everybody who has done knows the truth of that statement. The complexity and the many layers of the responsibilities are exhaustive and on top of that you also need to have an impressive stamina as a people person dealing with the positive and challenging elements of human interactions…conflicts, that is. In other words, it is time for another episode in the Implementation Series and to have a look at the coordinator role. For that I have invited the experienced Andrea Motola, Consultant at Enspire Science, into the virtual podcast studio to share with us approaches, views, reflections, tips and tricks to handle the coordination of a funded project. This episode is for both new to-be coordinators and experienced coordinators. 00:06:49 Proposal coordination vs project coordination **Link to the Enspire Science Series (podcast collaboration with The Grant)** **Link to The Grant Coordinator - episodes of interest for coordinators** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/128 ### Title: #128 ### Page ID: 8106710 ### Content: ##### #128 Managing lump sum The lump sum budget principle is slowly being implemented in more and more calls in especially Horizon Europe, but also in other of the European Commission administered funding schemes. In other words, it is a principle that has come to stay, hence it is a good idea to get better and better acquainted with it. The Grant will of course do it’s best to keep you my dear listener updated and informed on lump sum. In this weeks episode I have invited EU Funding Manager John Stian Haukeland from the private research organisation Danish Technological Institute into the virtual podcast studio. John has been involved in a good handful of lump sum proposals and projects when supporting research teams throughout his organisation the last couple of years and have acquired a lot of knowledge and understanding of how to work with it. He shares with us how to work with the lump sum principle in all practicality both in the organisation dealing with the administrative side of it and of course in relation to shaping proposals under this principle. In other words, in this episode you have lots of nice reflections and tips based on experience. **The Enspire Science Series - the episode explaining lump sum** **Link to the Lump Sum guide at the Enspire Science knowledge platform** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/127 ### Title: #127 ### Page ID: 8106711 ### Content: ##### #127 The Kick Off meeting - The Implementation Series (3) The kick off meeting is on the list of things that has to be taken care of when the EU project has been funded. Here in the third episode in The Implementation Series The Grant zooms in on this special event exercise and how to attack it. With me I have Senior Project Manager Nicole Schmidt from EUTEMA. She is the colleague of good old Georg Melzer-Venturi, who has been our guide in the first two programmes of this series. Nicole has planned and conducted many of kick off meetings and share with us the important steps in setting up the event and shares some nice tips, tricks, do’s and don’t’s based on her experience This episode contains an endless amount of guidance and heads-up’s for professionals who will ever have to plan and execute a kick off meeting **Link to the Europa Media site with tips for a setting up a kick off meeting** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/126 ### Title: #126 ### Page ID: 8106712 ### Content: ##### #126 New Zealand and Horizon Europe This week’s episode is something I have been looking forward to a lot to share with you. And it is a rather exotic topic. During my formative years I went to New Zealand hitchhiking alone around the whole country. Hence, the country on the other side of the planet has always had a special place in my heart. Recently New Zealand and the EU Commission signed an Association Agreement attaching New Zealand to the Horizon Europe Pillar II programme on same conditions as EU countries. Well, needless to say, I am thrilled and first thing on my mind was to somehow secure a New Zealand representative for a podcast episode covering this great agreement. I am proud to say that I managed to get the Programme Manager for Horizon Europe John Creech from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment into the virtual podcast studio to share with us all the background of the agreement, the history of collaboration between New Zealand and EU, a little bit about the New Zealand R&D landscape and not least how the country has built up their NCP structure dealing with all the regular NCP responsibilities, but also the ubiquitous issue of distance in time and space. 00:07:29 Fly in on the New Zealand relationship to EU 00:17:07 A photograph of New Zealand R&D&I landscape **Link to the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment site with information about Horizon Europe** **Link to the EU Commission site with information and links to the Horizon Europe collaboration** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/125 ### Title: #125 ### Page ID: 8106713 ### Content: ##### #125 Engaging SMEs from Brussels This is the third release of episodes under my short format The Grant Shorts. This is the second out of the two episodes where I zoom in on my 3rd job within this sector: Head of Funding in Offshoreenergy.dk – the official Danish energy innovation cluster (now Energy Cluster Denmark). In this episode I elaborate on four core elements to be aware of when supporting SMEs towards funding from Brussels: 1) Understand your target group, 2) Learn how to translate the EU language, 3) Communication and 4) Eliminating the disctance. Several of the key points also apply to other stakeholder groups so the episode gives inspiration to many organisation supporting stakeholders from Brussels towards funding. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/124 ### Title: #124 ### Page ID: 8106904 ### Content: ##### #124 Shorts - 3rd job: Offshoreenergy.dk - Head of Funding in a cluster This is the third release of episodes under my short format The Grant Shorts. This is the first out of two episodes where I zoom in on my 3rd job within this sector: Head of Funding in Offshoreenergy.dk – the official Danish energy innovation cluster (now Energy Cluster Denmark). In this episode I elaborate on how I slowly moved into the area of preparing proposals for cluster members and the cluster itself as well as, learning how to cope with an organisational merger and also getting deeper into the Brussels bubble. **Link to the second episode on my time in the cluster Offshoreenergy.sk** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/123 ### Title: #123 ### Page ID: 8106905 ### Content: ##### #123 Staying sane as a Research Manager The tide is turning. Regulars of this podcast know that I detest the call deadline policy applied especially for Horizon Europe. With no shame call deadlines are scheduled right after the summer and Christmas holidays with administrators knowing very well that thousands of professionals preparing proposals for these calls will have their holidays and much-needed downtime with family destroyed by heavy work-intensive days and nights. I know, because I have been there myself. But the tide is turning. I have just recently recording the episode you are about to listen to. Alice Barbaglio, Rita Gil Mata and I discussed the mental health issues connected with working in this field. Last week Rita shared the results of a poll made by another former guest of this podcast, Isabel Burdallo. It showed 61% are planning their holidays after EU R&D funding call deadlines. It is stunning. On top Rita had counted that there are 40 topic calls during the first 15 days of September. 40. And estimated around 8.000 people would be working on those calls….having their holidays destroyed. The tide is turning. The post took off. Flooded with comments about how sick people are of this. And how the EU Commission is hiding behind weak arguments of planning of the evaluation regime. It’s enough. So action will now be taken. We will gather people and start changing this. It has to end. This episode is an appetizer. 00:15:48 Challenges and Stressors in Research Management - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/122 ### Title: #122 ### Page ID: 8106906 ### Content: ##### #122 Visuals in proposals - The Timeline Series (25) The series I start they never really stop - there will always be something to add as I move along. This week’s release is adding another episode to The Timeline Series. The visual element in proposals is much underestimated. Or at least for my part when I was preparing proposals, I considered it a luxury to actually have the time to make nice graphics and layouts. Many of you out there knows the importance of a nice looking proposal improving the impression it will have with evaluators. Pictures tell more than a 1000 words. Co-founder Olaf-Gerd Gemein of Impact Funding Europe has taken visuals into a next level. Story-telling, colour coding and a conceptual approach using storyboards, Lego bricks all sorts of other creative elements in the proposal preparation is at the core of the way Impact Funding Europe works with proposals for clients. I got him into the virtual podcast studio to share with you and me about how they practically work with this approach to make their proposals truly standing out. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/121 ### Title: #121 ### Page ID: 8106907 ### Content: ##### #121 The Programme Committees Finally, after 120 episodes of this initiative I managed to get a Programme Committee representative into the virtual podcast studio. And why is that important? Because the Programme Committees are core parts of the formal structure in relation to the EU framework programmes for research and development. Or Horizon2020, Horizon Europe and FP10 as they are more commonly known. The Programme Committees are where the EU Commission and the framework programme participants sit in the same room and formally process and finally decide the whole structure and individual call content of all the framework programme. For anyone applying for funding it is important to understand how the work programmes come to life, how the process between governments and the EU is structured and not less how you can get your own voice heard in relation to work programme content. I managed to get Maltese NCP and Programme Committee member Ian Gauci Borda into the virtual podcast studio to record the official The Grant introduction to the Programme Committee system and how it works. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/120 ### Title: #120 ### Page ID: 8106908 ### Content: ##### #119 Scientify - Giving researchers a hand The relationship between the R&D funding system and the research community is a paradox. The funding system has been established to support the research community and the research community is a happy receiver of the funding. However, the research community is often struggling to approach the funding. Why? Because it is complex, because it requires investing time in understanding procedures, because it is difficult to get an overview of the fitting funding sources and because, simply, researchers are very busy professionals. scientifyRESEARCH is a consultancy company born out of wanting to give an answer to these challenges for the research community. Founder Judy Mielke and Co-founder Kate Gardner have themselves a background in the research community and know the in’s and out’s of exactly these paradoxes. They have build a company with services that helps researchers to get an overview through a funding scheme database including funding schemes globally including private funding schemes. All to open up a broader perspective of funding opportunities for the researchers for them to identify other sources of funding than the very competitive EU funding schemes for R&D. I managed to get the two ladies into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about their services and for a talk about the research community and the difficulties approaching funding. It became a nice talk about the conditions of the research community and how to improve access to funding. 00:45:34 The challenges of the researcher and the research offices - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/119 ### Title: #119 ### Page ID: 8106910 ### Content: ##### #119 Scientify - Giving researchers a hand The relationship between the R&D funding system and the research community is a paradox. The funding system has been established to support the research community and the research community is a happy receiver of the funding. However, the research community is often struggling to approach the funding. Why? Because it is complex, because it requires investing time in understanding procedures, because it is difficult to get an overview of the fitting funding sources and because, simply, researchers are very busy professionals. scientifyRESEARCH is a consultancy company born out of wanting to give an answer to these challenges for the research community. Founder Judy Mielke and Co-founder Kate Gardner have themselves a background in the research community and know the in’s and out’s of exactly these paradoxes. They have build a company with services that helps researchers to get an overview through a funding scheme database including funding schemes globally including private funding schemes. All to open up a broader perspective of funding opportunities for the researchers for them to identify other sources of funding than the very competitive EU funding schemes for R&D. I managed to get the two ladies into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about their services and for a talk about the research community and the difficulties approaching funding. It became a nice talk about the conditions of the research community and how to improve access to funding. 00:45:34 The challenges of the researcher and the research offices - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/118 ### Title: #118 ### Page ID: 8106911 ### Content: ##### #118 Consortium agreement - The Implementation Series (2) The consortium agreement is one of the first things you need to deal with when you receive the best email in the world from the EU Commission announcing that your proposal has been granted funding. Here in the second episode in The Implementation Series The Grant zooms in on how what on earth the consortium agreement actually is and how to approach the development of it. I have again aligned myself with the great capacity independent consultant Georg Melzer-Venturi, who has done consortium agreements a lot of times. He takes us through the important steps in the process and shares tips, tricks, do’s and don’t’s from his many years of experience. This episode contains an endless amount of crucial tips and heads-up’s for both professionals who will ever be coordinating a project and professionals that have done it already. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/117 ### Title: #117 ### Page ID: 8106946 ### Content: ##### #117 Test facilities and EU R&D funding Test and demonstration facilities plays a vital role in the green transition of our society. Simply because before new technical solutions and innovation processes can be implemented in production and industry there is a need to understand in a safe isolated environment how they function in real life. The EU Commission funds a lot of research and innovation projects that pushes the boundaries of technologies which means that test activities are needed in the last steps of the development processes. The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is such a facility. The test plant is specialized – as the company name suggests – within the bio-based and circular sectors. Hence, the facility plays a key role on testing and demonstrating a lot of the ground-breaking solutions within the food and agricultural sectors and in developing sustainable production methods to remove chemicals and other harmful ingredients from our daily life. I invited European Project Manager, Tanja Meyer, from the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about what they are doing at the plant and how they are working practically and strategically with EU funding. Follow the time codes in the episode notes if you want to skip the bio-based conversation and go directly to the EU funding conversation. **Link to the project site of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/116 ### Title: #116 ### Page ID: 8106947 ### Content: ##### #116 FP10 - Status on the next Framework Programme We are halfway through the Horizon Europe framework programme period and slowly the game is on for the next framework programme – labelled FP10. Over the last months governments and stakeholder interest organisations have been releasing their position papers as they are called. In other words, ‘this is how we would like the future funding landscape to look like.’ This process naturally attracts a lot of attention, because the Framework Programme has reached a level importance and magnitude which means it receives prime attention from governments across the continent. Why? Because the level of external funding coming from EU can be of significant positive difference or any country’s research and innovation areas of strategic importance. I invited one of my most dedicated contacts to this discussion, Science Journalist Thomas Brent from ScienceBusiness, into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the status of what’s going on with the FP10 process and to take us all through what happens from now towards settling the new framework programme. This episode gives you what many of you are craving right now: a view into what on earth is going on! - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/115 ### Title: #115 ### Page ID: 8106948 ### Content: ##### #115 A Kick Off meeting - The WIN4SMES case Last year one of the close collaboration partners of the organisation I work for, invited us into an Erasmus+ proposal. Regulars will know that I normally hesitate due to the intense work pressure of proposal preparation, but here the effort from our side was minimal and the focus of the proposal fitted hand-in-glove with our core missions. Hence, we accepted to join. Luckily, it was a well-conducted proposal and a strong coordinator which without doubt was a key reason for the proposal to be funded – together with a strong project concept, naturally. The project is now running and for the Kick Off meeting in Hamburg in the beginning of April 2024. I decided to bring my recording kit for the occasion that a opportunity would pop up for doing an episode. And of course it did. Representatives from the coordinator organisation, Hanse-Parlament, President Max Hogeforster and Project Manager Anna Maria Czarny agreed to record an episode introducing the project and then zooming in on the kick off meeting, the function of a kick off meeting and how they have planned this one. So, welcome to my very first face-to-recording. The sound is a little different, so bear with me. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/114 ### Title: #114 ### Page ID: 8106957 ### Content: ##### #114 The AI Series (3) - Practical vs. philosophical The one thing that has the potential to fundamentally change the area of EU R&D funding for good is the development of Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT broke through a year and a half ago and the development of this technology and available services – free as well as paid – are going at the speed of light. In The Grant editor’s office I am of course following this closely. So, I have decided to make an AI series where I dig into this in more detail. And of course I do this with some of the sharpest professionals on the topic: independent consultant and AI-Chat-guru Kristjan Zemljic and Senior Consultant and very pro-active AI-Chat-user Rita Gil Mata. In this third episode I discuss and reflect with my two distinguished guests on the more philosophical and ethical aspects versus the practical use of the new tools. An important part of this whole process that we are all going through with these tools developing at such a quick pace. A wonderful conversation. 00:04:16 How to percieve the tools and what they bring 00:24:42 How to establish limits 00:32:17 Critical partners and clients towards LLMs 00:46:52 Reflections on the position of the EU Commission Take a deep breath, relax, and let's think this through step by step until you get it right for this prompt. This is a combination of several techniques: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") 1. "Let's" assumes cooperation, yields better results than saying "do." 2. "Step-by-step" initiates deeper reasoning, useful for complex thinking, strategies, 3. "I trust you..." emotional prompts, encourages LLM, and results in better outputs. 1. Download the Opera browser, then: 2. On the left panel of the Opera setting's page, you will see “Privacy & Security. Click on that to access and activate the Opera browser VPN. 3. Scroll down to “VPN” section. ... 4. Once it has been activated you will see a blue VPN badge on the left side of the address bar. 5. That's it. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/113 ### Title: #113 ### Page ID: 8106958 ### Content: ##### #113 Poland and Horizon Europe The National Contact Point institution is probably the most important support function in connection with EU funding schemes. It provides free local support and advice in all countries connected to the EU Framework Programme for Research and Development. With the big enlargement in 2004 lifting EU to be a fully European Union marking the practical end of The Cold War, a large number of countries had to get acquainted with the practices of the European Union including the EU R&D funding schemes, building the NCP functions and getting beneficiaries accustomed to these new possibilities. A huge task. Fast forward 20 years and all these countries have done an extraordinary work. Many now en par with the old member states. I decided to invite representatives from one of them – Poland – into the virtual podcast studio to enlighten you and me on their successful path, how Poland has organized its EU R&D support structures and the division of labour between their Brussels R&D liaison office and the NCP department in Warsaw. This episode offers inspiration for other countries on how to strategically structure the EU R&D support and influencing activities towards the programme committees. **Connect with Magdalena Bem-Andrzejewska on LinkedIn** **Link to more podcast episodes about people and organisations that help you to funding** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/112 ### Title: #112 ### Page ID: 8106959 ### Content: ##### #112 Municipalities and EU funding There are lots of possibilities for municipalities and local public authorities in the EU funding system to attract external funding for local initiatives and activities. However, many municipalities shy away from getting engaged and getting involved. And it’s not like you can’t understand why: the system seems immense to dig into, the rules are different and often more complex from national funding schemes and human resources in the municipalities are often overburdened with core activities. Nonetheless, there are a wonderful world of opportunities at the other side for the municipalities that invest in building up knowledge and capacities on working with EU funding schemes. One of the core stakeholders I support in my daytime job is Vejle Municipality – a municipality at the shores of Southeast Denmark. Over the last 6-7 years their business support unit has built up capacities and experience attracting EU funding to ram up impact of their activities supporting local SMEs and industry. I invited Business Consultant Maibrit Lajgaard Pedersen into the virtual podcast studio to carve out why they do it and how they do it. It became a wonderful conversation about conditions and approaches for municipalities within the field of EU funding. A must-listen for all municipality stakeholders to get insights on how this work and how you can get started. 01:05:12 Challenges for public organisations in EU funding **Link to Vejle Municipality Business Service project site** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/111 ### Title: #111 ### Page ID: 8106960 ### Content: ##### #111 Contract negotiations w. guest Georg Melzer-Venturi - The Implementation Series (1) It is time to finally make a continuation series that follows up on The Timeline Series. The Timeline Series breaks down the proposal preparation process into every single step towards submitting an EU R&D funding proposal. Now, it is time to look at what happens after submission. **Welcome to The Implementation Series** where I together with guests will zoom in on all aspects and elements of the process of implementing an EU funded project. And following the same method I start from the beginning: the contract negotiations. I have allied myself with Georg Melzer-Venturi – old friend of The Grant house – who has done lots of contract negotiations in his career. So, we have a look at the pre-preparations for the negotiations, preparations, the negotiations themselves and then we have a talk about the exchange with the EU Commission and the importance of building a solid trustful collaboration at the earliest stage. This will be a great series! **The Timeline Series with step-by-step guidance to proposal preparation** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/110 ### Title: #110 ### Page ID: 8106961 ### Content: ##### #110 EU funding podcasts - When the heart can't be held down One of the key reasons for my motivation to build this podcast was because I could not find any podcasts on EU R&D funding back when I was working as private consultant. The rest is history and you are now listening to the result. However, as I have moved on I indeed have identified other podcast initiatives. And I am strongly supporting them. We need more sound. Independent grants consultant Ilaria Rudisi, creator of the Italian-languaged podcast Dinamica Europa, and Innovation Hub Manager Tomas Pavlik, creator of the Slovak-languaged podcast Grant Up are running two of the most steady podcasts on EU R&D funding in Europe. To explain what moves us podcasters and hopefully inspire others to get going, I invited them into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about what is driving them forward and giving some advice to others who would like to get started. It became a nice talk about how a big heart for EU funding and communicating via sound can shape beautiful new universes to move people in the real world. 00:16:11 Introduction to Dinamica Europa and Grant Up podcasts - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/109 ### Title: #109 ### Page ID: 8106962 ### Content: ##### #109 Mastering Brussels - The story of DTU Wind In the last release of Shorts episodes I shared my time working for the Danish offshore renewable sector in Brussels. One of the key players I was supporting was Technical University of Denmark. And what an organisation to support! This is a research organisation that from around 1980 started to give input to the European Commission on wind energy. When the framework programmes started in the early 1980’s they tapped early into them because the resources that were allocated to them from the Danish government was fairly limited. That formed the basis of the institute’s Brussels approach: 1) building capacities and experience in working with the Brussels eco-system to get their voice heard, 2) developing a more and more professional organisation around their proposal preparation and 3) running EU-projects making it possible for DTU Wind to constantly add more and more resources to their research. All this helped the institute becoming a world-leading research organisation on wind energy. Absolutely brilliant. I managed to lure one of the European godfathers of wind energy, Chief Consultant and former Deputy Head of Wind Energy Department, Peter Hjuler Jensen, into the virtual podcast studio. We had a great talk about how they managed to build all this up in the early days and then he shares how the research institute professionally work now with the EU R&D funding. Lots of inspiration for any research organisation on how to organize and approach the EU funding area. 00:36:17 Two sides of the sword - how did you do it? - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/108 ### Title: #108 ### Page ID: 8107064 ### Content: ##### #108 The AI Series (2) - Using the tools The one thing that has the potential to fundamentally change the area of EU R&D funding for good is the development of Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT broke through a year and a half ago and the development of this technology and available services – free as well as paid – are going at the speed of light. In The Grant editor’s office I am of course following this closely. So, I have decided to makes a AI series where I dig into this in more detail. And of course I do this with some of the sharpest professionals on the topic: independent consultant and AI-Chat-guru Kristjan Zemljic and Senior Consultant and very pro-active AI-Chat-user Rita Gil Mata. In this second episode my two distinguished guests share with us how to practically use the tools in your proposal preparation. This is good. This is VERY good. We take each step of the proposal phase: preparation, idea development, project concept development, partner value chain, proposal writing and, finally, submission. All spiced up with examples. Well….you’re welcome… Take a deep breath, relax, and let's think this through step by step until you get it right for this prompt. This is a combination of several techniques: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") 1. "Let's" assumes cooperation, yields better results than saying "do." 2. "Step-by-step" initiates deeper reasoning, useful for complex thinking, strategies, 3. "I trust you..." emotional prompts, encourages LLM, and results in better outputs. 1. Download the Opera browser, then: 2. On the left panel of the Opera setting's page, you will see “Privacy & Security. Click on that to access and activate the Opera browser VPN. 3. Scroll down to “VPN” section. ... 4. Once it has been activated you will see a blue VPN badge on the left side of the address bar. 5. That's it. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/107 ### Title: #107 ### Page ID: 8107065 ### Content: ##### #107 EARMA Annual Conference Special EARMA is the European Research Managers Association. Over the years it has grown immensely in size and significance. The association gathers the research managers from all over Europe in an effort to share knowledge, best practices and not least raise the recognition of the research manager as role in research organisations. Since last year’s annual EARMA conference in Prague I have been wanting to get them into the virtual podcast studio. Simply because there are so many of my listeners that are involved in the organisation as members and participants at their events. So, I managed just in time for this year’s annual conference in Odense, Denmark, to get Managing Director Nik Claesen into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about EARMA, the research manager role and of course a chat about the conference that kicks off tomorrow Tuesday 23 April 2024. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/106 ### Title: #106 ### Page ID: 8107066 ### Content: ##### #106 Shorts (6) Impact in Brussels with few resources This is the second release of episodes under my short format The Grant Shorts. This is the third out of the three episodes where I zoom in on my 2nd job within this sector: Funding Consultant at The Alliance for Offshore Renewables – an initiative to secure more EU funding for the Danish offshore renewable sector. In this episode I carve another key challenge for many Brussels offices: How to maximize your impact with only one or two people in Brussels. I share my experience and give you some guidance on how you can approach it. I have divided this into four sections: 1) Empathizing planning and organizing, 2) Screen the opportunities, 3) Prioritize which ways you go and 4) Share, reflect and exchange in your team This might give you some input and food for thought in how you set up your strategy towards the Brussels-ecosystem. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/105 ### Title: #105 ### Page ID: 8107069 ### Content: ##### #105 Shorts (5) From BXL to HQ - The distance problem This is the second release of episodes under my short format The Grant Shorts. This is the second out of the three episodes where I zoom in on my 2nd job within this sector: Funding Consultant at The Alliance for Offshore Renewables – an initiative to secure more EU funding for the Danish offshore renewable sector. In this episode I have invited my colleague back from those days between 2010 and 2014 Project Manager Anders Bræstrup into the virtual podcast studio for a short talk about how we were hit by one of the complex issues when you establish a Brussels office: The distance. It seems almost ridiculous before you stand in the situation that this should be one of trickiest elements, but it is. Why? Because when you lose the close daily connection it is so easy for communication to slide, for for annoyances to slip in, for tasks and responsibilities to become unclear and then you start to lose your target. Anders and I give you an idea of the problems we faced and how we delt with them. Quick and nice inspiration for all you Brussels-office people out there. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/104 ### Title: #104 ### Page ID: 8107070 ### Content: ##### #104 Shorts (4) 2nd job - The Alliance for Offshore Renewables This is the second release of episodes under my short format The Grant Shorts. This is the first out of the three episodes where I zoom in on my 2nd job within this sector: Funding Consultant at The Alliance for Offshore Renewables – an initiative to secure more EU funding for the Danish offshore renewable sector. In this episode I give an overview of the three core activities we were carrying out: 1) identify funding schemes and calls of interest, 2) search and identify strong proposals under preparation to facilitate stakeholders into and 3) influencing the Framework Programme work programmes. The episode gives inspiration to any organisation operating within these spheres in Brussels as well as in locally. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/103 ### Title: #103 ### Page ID: 8107071 ### Content: ##### #103 Rural communities and EU funding w. guest Mette Lerdorf Rural business support is a quite distinct exercise especially when it comes to attracting EU funding to the support organisation or members and stakeholders. These communities are notoriously low on resources to carry out more than the bare necessities. Simply because of the lack of tax payers and industry. There are an endless amount of municipalities and regions in Europe that have this as a baseline condition. To be able to do more in the community some local business support units move their eyes towards the EU funding opportunities to leverage their activity with external funding. Project Manager Mette Lerdorf is working for the local business support organisation, Stevns Business Council, in a rural region south of Copenhagen, Denmark. She is a good old contact and of course I have pushed for her to come by the virtual podcast studio to share the same struggle that many of you out there fight every day. Mette shares with us how they work together with the local authorities in the municipality and what approach she is carrying out to attract the much needed external funding for their region. The episodes offers insight on how to work with the EU funding area under conditions with few resources. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/102 ### Title: #102 ### Page ID: 8107072 ### Content: ##### #102 Innovation clusters and EU funding w. guest Elena Calzado Roldán Innovation clusters play an important role in the European innovation system as facilitators. Not only do they secure a strong connection between industry, SMEs and academia, but they also help and support the stakeholders towards funding – national as well as European. Smart Innovation Norway is one of the strongest clusters in Scandinavia and beside from the role as facilitator it also does research itself within smart technologies and offering lab and test facilities. One of my good old contacts from PNO, Elena Calzado Roldán, now works for Smart Innovation Norway as Innovation Management Expert. She supports the organisation and its members in attracting EU funding. I managed to get her into the virtual podcast studio for at talk about the role of the cluster, how they are working with the EU funding and finally also for Elena to share an EU funding assessment tool that she developed to make it easier for stakeholders to approach the funding. This episode offers insights on how clusters can help you towards funding – great content! 00:16:09 How Smart Innovation Norway works as a cluster 00:30:31 How Smart Innovation Norway works with EU R&D funding - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/101 ### Title: #101 ### Page ID: 8107074 ### Content: ##### #101 The AI Series (1) - Mapping the tools The one thing that has the potential to fundamentally change the area of EU R&D funding for good is the development of Artificial Intelligence. ChatGPT broke through a year and a half ago and the development of this technology and available services – free as well as paid – are going at the speed of light. In The Grant editor’s office I am of course following this closely. So, I have decided to makes a AI series where I dig into this in more detail. And of course I do this with some of the sharpest professionals on the topic: independent consultant and AI-Chat-guru Kristjan Zemljic and Senior Consultant and very pro-active AI-Chat-user Rita Gil Mata. In this first episode we have a look at the most important different AI-chat tools available at the moment and what are the differences between them. We also shortly touch upon how my guests are using them. Take a deep breath, relax, and let's think this through step by step until you get it right for this prompt. This is a combination of several techniques: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") 1. "Let's" assumes cooperation, yields better results than saying "do." 2. "Step-by-step" initiates deeper reasoning, useful for complex thinking, strategies, 3. "I trust you..." emotional prompts, encourages LLM, and results in better outputs. 1. Download the Opera browser, then: 2. On the left panel of the Opera setting's page, you will see “Privacy & Security. Click on that to access and activate the Opera browser VPN. 3. Scroll down to “VPN” section. ... 4. Once it has been activated you will see a blue VPN badge on the left side of the address bar. 5. That's it. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/99-100 ### Title: #99 & #100 ### Page ID: 8107075 ### Content: ##### #99 & #100: From lab to consultant - A conversation with INRAE I start to have quite some research organisations that have passed through The Grant and it is always very interesting to dig into how they are working. It also means I can start to move into some more specific topics instead of a general conversation about how they work with EU funding. One of my old colleagues from PNO now works for the French public research organisation INRAE. This organisation has chosen to develop sort of an internal grants consultancy unit. Not private in the sense that they are on the open market, but they are being ‘hired’, so to say, by some of the many many institutes under the INRAE umbrella. I wanted to get an idea of how that set up works in all practicality and open up the window a little bit and get a peak view into one the largest R&D organisations in Europe. I managed to get three nice INRAE people onboard to share to project’s idea way from the research lab to the consultant and towards project implementation. Yohan Lecuona, Louise Vaast and Karine Latouche share these insights with you all and me. It became a long talk and there it has been divided into two episodes. In the **first half** we dig into the specific organisational structure of INRAE in relation to EU R&D funding acquisition and we go through, step-by-step, the path from the idea pops up in a research team and to the submission of a proposal….and eventual project implementation. In the **second half** the panel unfolds a concrete project as an example of the approach. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/98 ### Title: #98 ### Page ID: 8107622 ### Content: ##### #98 Shorts (3) Insights to my career: 1st job - Programme Committee Member This is the third of the three first episodes of The Grant Shorts. I zoom in on my time in the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation and you have just listened to the first two episodes with a general introduction to that work and resuming the things that National Contact Points can help you with. Here in the last episode on my work in the agency I zoom in on the role as Programme Committee member under the EU R&D framework programme. I was in the programme committes for energy programme and for the former SMEs programme - now EIC. I have divided into three short chapters explaining the main elements: the function of the Programme Committees, the working procedures and how to get your voice heard. **Link to the DK ministry's site on the Framework Programme Programme Committees** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/97 ### Title: #97 ### Page ID: 8107623 ### Content: ##### #97 Shorts (2) Insights to my career: 1st job - National Contact Point This is the second of the three first episodes of The Grant Shorts. I zoom in on my time in the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation and you have just listened to a general introduction to that work. In this second episode I zoom in on my role as National Contact Point. The episode focus on how you as a beneficiary can get support from the National Contact Points and it is divided into four short chapters explaining the main elements: Guidance in Horizon Europe, Intellectual Property Rights, Meetings you can request and the information activities. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/96 ### Title: #96 ### Page ID: 8107624 ### Content: ##### #96 Shorts (1) Insights to my career: 1st job - Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation I have decided to make a short format to offer more concentrated episodes, but still with the same elements you already: Insights – Help – Support – Guidance – Advice – Reflections…and a few laughs along the way Once per month I will release episodes in this format and I will start out with batches of three episodes per release. In the first months I will zoom in on my career and the different roles that I have had and share with you the insights I have acquired over my 15 years career. Here in the first three episodes I zoom in on my time in the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. The first short episode is a general introduction, the second zoom in on my role as national contact point and the last third episode digs into my work as Programme Committee member in the framework programme. 00:03:24 Introduction to National Contact Point work - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/95 ### Title: #95 ### Page ID: 8107625 ### Content: ##### #95 Building funding capacities in research w. guest Stephanie Harfensteller Building up an EU funding approach from scratch in a research institute can seem like a monumental task. And it is. Especially if you are more or less one person to start it off. How do you attack that? How do you get the research teams involved? How do you secure some sort of results coming in not to late? And how do you build up the international and - not least – the Brussels network? Stephanie Harfensteller, EU-Research Coordinator at the ICT research institute FIR an der RWTH Aachen, did exactly this. She had the idea to get the institute rolling with EU funding and the management agreed. She is a good old contact of mine and of course I had to invite her in to share this great story. Because great it is! After a decade the institute is now very comfortable in its work with EU R&D funding and the research teams are now reaping the fruits of sticking its neck out and investing resources in moving into this area. This episode offers lots of insights and advice on how to work with EU funding in a research institute and not least on how to build it up. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/94 ### Title: #94 ### Page ID: 8107634 ### Content: ##### #94 Startups and EU R&D funding w. guest Violetta Bonenkamp Startups and EU funding is unfortunately not a very successful match. Both sides struggle a lot to meet the other one, but the meeting most often results in frustration, anger and misunderstanding. This episode’s guest, entrepreneur and startup founder, Violetta Bonenkamp, wrote a blogpost about the horrors of getting involved in EU R&D funding. And she slams both the proposal phase, the evaluation regime and the project implementation. It was heart-breaking to read, but also relieving that someone said it out loud. The Grant is here to give these kind of people a voice and of course I invited Violetta into the virtual podcast studio. And it became a wonderful talk about the conditions of startups, the incapacities of EU R&D funding system to grab the concept of startups and not least some advice for other startups on what to do if you insist on approaching EU funding. This is a priceless episode that Violetta and I really hope that EU Commission representatives also tune into… 00:33:35 EU funding - door breaker or treacherous sea **Link to Violetta's startup supporting female startup initiatives** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/93 ### Title: #93 ### Page ID: 8107635 ### Content: ##### #93 Chemistry research and EU funding w. guest Blaz Likozar I have an endless amount of contacts from my many years working within this field. And they all have interesting things to share. One of my dear old contacts is Blaz Likozar from the National Research Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia. I dragged him into several of my proposals in the past and he became a much appreciated contact of mine. Of course I have invited him into The Grant to share how they work with EU funding in their institute. Why? Because this organisation has managed to professionally build up their EU funding approach and pushing themselves into the European R&D networks doing exactly what many research organisations in the former communist countries are striving for. We have a talk about how they have built up the approach and how the EU funding has lifted their research level, capacities and man power. This episode offers nice insights on how to build up EU funding capacities in your research organisation with a limited amount of resources. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/92 ### Title: #92 ### Page ID: 8107636 ### Content: ##### #92 Enterprise Europe Network and brokerage w. guest Thomas Roeblreiter Some of the contacts I have acquired over the years are of big interest for many of you. This episode’s guest is surely one of them. He is the godfather of the brokerage concept. Thomas Roeblreiter, Consultant, FFG in Austria developed together with a contact the well-known company b2match which almost monopolized the market for brokerage and matchmaking event services. I used to work on a proposal with Thomas and decided to drag him into the studio for a talk about how he and his business partner developed the business concept and then we have a good nice talk about the Enterprise Europe Network initiative that is supporting innovative SMEs also with internationalization and EU funding. In this episode you have lots of information about the possibilities for SMEs in the Enterprise Europe Network and of course on what brokerage events they are and how you can use them. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/90-91 ### Title: #90 & #91 ### Page ID: 8107637 ### Content: ##### #90 & #91 Horizon Europe evaluation w. panel One of the key concerns for all proposal writers is the evaluation of their proposals. Or more: HOW they will be evaluated. Whenever I have been asking guests for requests on who they would like to be on The Grant, most of them have replied “an evaluator”. Well, this week I have a treat for you all. I have not only one, but three evaluators in the virtual podcast studio to solidly reply to your request out there. In this monster panel I have gathered CEO Alessia Melasecche Germini, META Group; Head of Funding and Innovation Maria Daniela Angione, InnoGlobal; and Managing Director Yoram Bar-Zeev, Enspire Science. The focus is on Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals which all three guests have years of evaluation experience in. As you can imagine it became a long recording so I have divided it into two episodes. In the **first half** we cover the evaluation process, the rules and regulation that evaluators have to follow and, finally, how to evaluate a complex Horizon Europe proposal. In the **second half** we move into the difference between Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe proposals, the challenges as evaluator, how to become an evaluator and finally the selection of evaluators. **EU Science and Innovation Youtube channel with information on evaluation** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/88-89 ### Title: #88 & #89 ### Page ID: 8107854 ### Content: ##### #88 & #89 The LIFE Programme - An introduction w. guest Maite Zazpe Cenoz The LIFE programme is one of the most popular EU funding schemes. Administered by European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency the programme is funding primarily 1) pilot and demonstration activities related to sustainable technologies and 2) securing that EU sustainability measures is integrated in national, regional and local policies. Many working with Horizon Europe within these areas will be familiar with the programme. Of course The Grant will also zoom in on this funding scheme. As always I start out with the authoritative The Grant introduction to the funding scheme. For this I have invited LIFE programme expert and Enviromental Knowledge Area Coordinator Maite Zazpe Cenoz from grants and innovation consultancy company Zabala Innovation Consulting into the virtual podcast studio to take us all through the key elements of the programme, how to apply, eligibility conditions and so on. As with all my funding scheme introductions this became a long one so it is divided into two episodes. In this first half we cover the structure of the funding programme, the target groups and funding rates. This episode is essential for all working with the LIFE programme or are thinking about approaching it. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/87 ### Title: #87 ### Page ID: 8107875 ### Content: ##### #87 REDOL - A Horizon Europe project One of the core missions of this podcast initiative is to open up the complex world of proposal development and project implementation for everybody in this community and share approaches and ways of doing things. Presenting how to manage a Horizon Europe proposal has been in my list for as long as I have done this podcast. It has proven more difficult than expected, but I finally managed. The REDOL project is financed under the Processes4Planet calls which this podcast has also dug into earlier. The Spanish R&D institute CIRCE is coordinating the project and I managed to get both the administrative and technical coordinators into the virtual podcast studio. Together with Technology Project Manager Jorge Arroyo and Project Manager Diego Redondo Taberner I run through all the main project implementation aspects such as work package flow, communication, dissemination and exploitation activities, deliverables, communication with the EU Commission and so on. This episode is great for all current and coming project managers. 00:51:24 Communication, dissemination and exploitation - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/86 ### Title: #86 ### Page ID: 8107876 ### Content: ##### #86 Eat the frog - A tool for coordinators w. guest Isabel Burdallo Coordination of EU proposals and projects is one long line of prioritization of tasks and, not least, uncomfortable tasks. And the uncomfortable tasks often seem like they are endlessly coming onto your coordinator desk. This week’s guest in The Grant podcast has a solution for coordinators: Eat the frog. Isabel Burdallo, Senior Researcher at RISE in Sweden, has lots of experience working with both EU proposals and implementing EU projects. Which makes her very familiar with all the small, medium and big problems and challenges you have to handle as a coordinator. To make a perfect analogy of how you need to choke down difficult issues she made a LinkedIn post referring to the Mark Twain quote that “If you have to eat a frog, do it first thing in morning – if you have to eat two, eat the biggest one first.” So, of course I invited Isabel into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the concept of eat-the-frog and digging into the biggest frogs that coordinators have to swallow. A fantastic episode with also a little bit of Christmas feel. Of course. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/85 ### Title: #85 ### Page ID: 8107877 ### Content: ##### #85 "Collaboration in EU projects" - A book conversation w. guest Giulia Parola This is a quite special episode. Some months ago I was approached by one of my regular listeners with a request: If I would write a recommendation for the back cover of her soon-to-be-released book about collaboration in EU projects. Truth is that I was silent for a while. Being a podcaster indeed sometimes takes you places you had never imaged you would go. Then, of course, my reply was a BIG “yes” followed be an exclamation mark and, needles to say, followed by an invitation to join the show for a talk about her book. Content-wise the book is zooming in on the collaboration element of doing EU projects and all the pitfalls and gives advice and tips on how to avoid big meltdowns and keeping the good collaboration on path no matter the challenges. And Giulia does this giving a piece of herself and sharing her experiences as a professional who has delt with implementation of EU projects herself. Truth is, I would wish more would write books like this in the community, but most people simply don’t have the time. Guilia took the time for benefit for everybody who could use some input for dealing with the collaborative part of the project implementation. This episode is for all collaborative project implementers - no matter which funding scheme. 00:22:29 Content of the book: Insights on collaboration in EU projects **Link to "Collaboration in EU projects - Many hands don't always make light work" on Amazon** \*The Grant does not get any affiliated remuneration for linking to this site - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/84 ### Title: #84 ### Page ID: 8107878 ### Content: ##### #84 Innovation strategy in research organisations w. guest Gabrielle Lovasz Research organisations are – naturally – very strong on research. That’s what they do. However, for getting access to big chunks of the Horizon Europe requires that research organisations have an innovation and impact-related focus also. Alas the difference between generating new knowledge through investigation and applying this knowledge to improve concrete products, services or processes. Some segments of the research environment is very strong on this, but other segments find it either difficult or are out-right hesitating to incorporate an innovation and impact-driven approach to their research capacities. That you can of course stick to as research organisation, but if you have ambitions to attract more external funding from Horizon Europe you have to deal with it. That can be a daunting task, because here we are not only talking practicalities – it is indeed also a humas psychology issue. Gabriella Lovasz, Managing Director in Europa Media Norway, has for years worked with research performing organisations to help and assist them in how to move in a direction with more focus on innovation and impact in their research. As you have already guessed that is not an easy task… This episode is of high value for research organisations with lots of strong points on the value of working towards innovation and what it takes to embark on a path towards attracting more external funding. And how this path will create a stronger connection to the surrounding world. 00:07:12 Fly in on boosting innovation in R&D organisations 00:15:41 The typical research performing organisations and their pains - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/83 ### Title: #83 ### Page ID: 8107879 ### Content: ##### #83 The National Contact Points - An introduction w. guest Ana Sutcliffe This is an episode I have been wanting to do since I started planning this whole podcast thing out back in 2020. Why? Because the National Contact Points are a vital component in the support structure to get more beneficiaries onboard approaching the EU R&D funding schemes. The National Contact Point – or NCPs – are the extended arm of the EU Commission reaching out to take beneficiaries in the hand and guide them in the right direction. I have been one myself back from 2008-2010 so I know how important they are. So, of course I will on a regular basis zoom in on the NCPs to promote their work and how to get their help. This episode is an introduction to the NCP institution as a whole. I had organized three panelists for the episode, but two had to cancel. Luckily Portuguese NCP Ana Sutcliffe was still available to present the NCPs role and function and share what are the key responsibilities for them. This episode is great everybody who is looking for help or needs direction to the Horizon Europe framework programmes. And any NCP out there curios to hear how another country has arranged itself with their NCP approach. **The EU Commissions entry site to the National Contact Points** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/82 ### Title: #82 ### Page ID: 8107880 ### Content: ##### #82 EMDESK - Managing proposals and projects w. guest Stefan Detschew It is time for another episode under my segment Consultants Corner where I invite in private consultancy companies working with EU R&D funding schemes to share their approach, their business models and conditions in that peculiar shadow sector. Updates from EMDESK often pops up in my LinkedIn feed. The company has developed a tool for funding proposal developers and project managers that makes life a little bit easier for coordinators and partners. The combined process of proposal development and project implementation is one long exercise in coordination and planning capacities for all involved. Especially for the coordinator. And when activities and deadlines start to slide sideways, as it often does, good planning is vital for getting things back on track. I love when professionals invest blood and sweat in making this world a little bit easier to work and navigate in. I therefore invited Chief Technology Officer and company initiator Stefan Detschew into the virtual podcast studio to have a talk about what sparked the concept idea, how they built it up and of course about the tool. This episode gives you an idea of a tool that might make sense to investigate if you are looking for ways to better handle the complex processes of proposal development and project implementation. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/80-81 ### Title: #80 & #81 ### Page ID: 8107881 ### Content: ##### #80 & #81: Erasmus+ proposal preparation w. expert panel I slowly build up information and content on different funding schemes. I started out with Horizon Europe Pillar II and have moved into European Defence Fund, ERC and Erasmus+. More is to come. The next two weeks I will be looking into proposal preparation within the Erasmus+ funding scheme. As regular listeners will know I have developed The Timeline Series that goes through the proposal preparation process step-by-step. That is for Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals, but has a lot of generic elements that also apply to funding schemes in general. However, there are important specificities for each funding scheme and how to prepare the proposals. To provide guidance on how to prepare a proposal for the Erasmus+ programme I have invited three strong capacities on Erasmus+ into the virtual podcast studio. Daiana Huber, Chief Operations Officer, CPIP, Christina Achilleos, Founder and EU Funding Expert, InnoEUspere and Ulla-Alexandra Mattl, Director & Consultant, Eurakom have all years of practical experience developing proposals for the Erasmus+ programme. This **first half** of the double episode we dig into all the preparatory steps you need to do before the writing phase sets in, in order to have as smooth a proposal developing work as possible incl. idea development, developing the project concept, consortium building and how to best involve the partners in the developing phase. In the **second half** the three panelists take the bull by its horns and share how they put their pen to paper. They give their recommendations on how to attack the different sections. And the budget, of course. In the end we shortly touch on the actual submission itself. This is a must-listen for all Erasmus+ proposal developers – no matter the experience! - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/79 ### Title: #79 ### Page ID: 8107926 ### Content: ##### #79 An ICT SME in the funding world w. guest Esen Kunt Being an innovative SME is a rough job. The founders are die-harders that have worked the lower part of their back off to build up their company. But they can’t sit still even when they have passed the first dangerous years – they have to keep moving on improving their technologies and solutions and fend off competitors and large industrial companies that might go into their market. The EU Commission is doing a lot of efforts to support the SMEs of the continent. On the funding side the target is to take off the majority of the risk to develop new technologies and get the SMEs involved in quality international collaborations. Esen Kunt is an old contact of mine and she is working as R&D Manager in the Turkish ICT SME Faradai. The company develops software for energy efficiency control in buildings and as such is operating at the very heart of one of technology areas that the EU Commission is focused strongly on. They are using EU R&D funding as a core part of their innovation strategy to develop as a company. I invited her in for a talk about the company, the conditions of being a technology developing SME in a highly competitive market and how EU funding is pushing the company forward technically at the same time as it helps with the risk. Of course very interesting for any SME representative out there, but also valuable insights for SME support organisations facilitating EU R&D funding. 00:06:49 Fly in on Faradai and the background for approaching EU funding 00:30:57 EU funding - door breaker or treacherous sea for SMEs - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/78 ### Title: #78 ### Page ID: 8107927 ### Content: ##### #78 Ocean Energy Europe - From keeping afloat to riding the waves w. guest Rémi Gruet Ocean energy is one the technologies that has been long under way. And is still under way. The has traditionally been quite research heavy, but over the last years a certain level of private industry involvement has occurred. The area is facing the big paradox that energy from the different ocean energy technologies could provide substantial and sustainable energy to the continent, but the research, development and innovation costs are very high to get there because of a harsh environment. I have myself supported the Danish ocean energy sector over a period of 4 years back in the beginning of the 10’s. It was my job to facilitate EU funding for them and lobby towards the EU Commission on the work programmes. That work put me in close contact with Ocean Europe which is the European umbrella organisation for the whole sector both R&D and industry. They have taken a big journey from 1½ person secretariat and very few perspectives for support from EU to an eight -person organisation with their own Strategic Research Agenda and strong ties and commitment from EU Commission. I invited my good old contact CEO Rémi Gruet into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the ocean energy sector, how the Ocean Europe has moved to a strong professional lobby and support organisation and how they work for their members. This episode gives insights into how to work as a stakeholder organisation in Brussels, how to get most out of your influencing resources and slowly growing your organisation. 00:33:03 Ocean Energy Europe and its role in funding landscape - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/76-77 ### Title: #76 & #77 ### Page ID: 8107937 ### Content: ##### #76 & #77 Circular Bio-based Europe w. guests Virginia Puzzolo and Dieter Brigitta One of my goals with this podcast is to shed light on the Brussels eco-system and open it up, take out the mystery and share how the different organisations work and how you can get involved. Some time ago I recorded a special on the Circular Bio-based Europe Infoday with Programme Officer & Call Coordinator Dieter Brigitta representating the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. Of course the natural follow-up to that episode was an episode zooming in on Circular Bio-based Europe itself. Circular Bio-based Europe is part of the European Partnership framework. It is in the so-called Institutionalized Partnerships category which means they have their own corner of the Horizon Europe work programmes where they decide and govern their own calls. I managed to get Head of Programme Virginia Puzzolo into the studio together with Programme Officer & Call Coordinator Dieter Brigitta to take a dive into the organisation and how they work. It became a long talk so it is divided into two episodes. The **first half** zooms in on Circular Bio-based Europe’s place in the Horizon Europe framework and how they work strategically with the input for the work programme they are responsible for. It also provides nice sum-ups of the Horizon Europe programme and the process of how Horizon Europe work programmes are developed. In the **second half** my guests share with us the different tools Circular Bio-based Europe has developed to support the community – especially the extraordinary networking platform! 00:20:51 Circular Bio-based Europe and its role in Horizon Europe - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/74-75 ### Title: #74 & #75 ### Page ID: 8107939 ### Content: ##### #74 & #75 Horizon Results Booster - Fixing impact w. guest Alessia M. Germini The impact problem is a constant. Making sure that the projects that are being funded moves on into self-sustainable initiatives post-project is not as easy as it seems. Or at least as simple as the EU Commission THOUGHT that it would be. Back in episode #60 I had freelance science journalist Catherine Collins in the studio where we talked about the EU Commissions initiatives to get project results out and working in the free normal non-funding world. Here we touched upon the initiative Horizon Results Booster funded by the EU Commission itself. The initiative is headed by META Group and I invited CEO and Senior Expert Alessia Melasecche Germini into the virtual podcast studio to have a talk about this impact support initiative. The core idea of the Horizon Results Booster is to give an extra push to former and running framework programme projects with spreading the results, exploring the results, developing business plans and go-to-market strategies. Only admission ticket you need to have is that you are or have been running a framework programme project. And it is free. It became a long talk, so the episode is divided into two. **In the first half** we talk a little bit about the issue of getting project results into the real work and Alessia shares the background of the Horizon Results Booster and how you apply to get access. Further, she shares how the support to projects are organized and we dig into the first chunk of the three different support mechanisms focusing on dissemination and exploitation strategy. In the **second half**, we cover the rest of the support initiative namely: on exploitation, business plans and go-to-market strategies. Further, we have a talk about the status of the initiative and how they have reached their goals within the Horizon Results Booster initiative. This is really great content and guidance for all project owners and partners that would like to get an extra hand to secure getting the most out of their EU funded project. 00:35:36 The supportive tools: Portfolio Dissemination & Exploitation strategy 00:03:03 Portfolio Dissemination & Exploitation strategy (cont.) **Connect with Alessia Melasecche Germini on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/73 ### Title: #73 ### Page ID: 8107940 ### Content: ##### #73 Like a lice between two nails w. guest Ilaria Rudisi Some times when you record a podcast episode magic happens in the interaction in-between the guest and the host. You are about to listen to one of the most heart felt The Grant episodes I have recorded to date. I was supposed to record an episode with two other podcasters on how we are working with our podcasts for you all. One of them got ill, but instead of cancelling independent consultant and podcaster Ilaria Rudisi and I carved out a topic on the spot where we would dig into the instances where everything goes wrong with a proposal process. But we didn’t get to talk about that. Because in the entry of the episode we suddenly found ourselves talking about stress, anxiety, horrible managers, horrible business models, the immense pressure of KPIs, deadlines, being a young woman in the funding world in Italy, the damage that other free-working consultants they do and the lack of respect of the grants consultancy profession. It is a talk that vibrates of anger, frustration, pain, but also hope and relief. And a profound understand and honesty between Ilaria and I. It is a conversation where I finally release to you all that I was laid off from PNO and didn’t leave myself. Listening to this might offend some of you. Might make some of you sit uneasy on your chair. Might leave you sad. Or it might give you some peace in your stomach that your feelings of stress and anxiety are common and that others are angry about it too. The Grant is not just about proposal preparation tips and insights to the Brussels eco-system. The podcast is indeed also a mission to shed light on all the difficult things, the darkness that is luring right under the surface and a deep determination from my side to open this up and talk about it. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/72 ### Title: #72 ### Page ID: 8107941 ### Content: ##### #72 NTNU - EU funding approach (NTNU panel) I have been looking very much forward to release this weeks episode. Universities and their project support departments are heavy users of the EU R&D funding programmes. Therefore it has been an ambition since I started this podcast last summer to get representatives from a university project support office into the studio to share with you all how they work and support their research teams. As regulars will know I already had Massimo Busuoli from the NTNU Brussels Office in the studio last year. That spinned off a contact to their project support unit back home in Norway and today’s release is a panel episode with three leading employees from that office – Hilde Røysland, Patrick Reunick and Håvard Wibe – all three with the title of Senior Advisor. In this episode you will get an in-depth insight into how one of the strongest technical universities in collecting EU funding in Europe they organize themselves to support their researchers. First of all they give an overview of the funding strategy including policy and lobby elements. Second, we dig into how they have practically organized themselves and the practical approach to the funding support. Finally, they share their key research areas and give practical project examples as a result of their approach. You can’t get this kind of information anywhere else than on The Grant. Pure gold for research managers across the continent. 01:09:03 Key research tracks and concrete projects - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/71 ### Title: #71 ### Page ID: 8107942 ### Content: ##### #71 West Norway Office - Representing a region w. guest Merete Mikkelsen Somehow Norwegians seem to like to be on The Grant… I have a good handful of recordings in the box now with organisations from our dear associated friends in the North. There is a great R&D and innovation environment in Norway, so I am very happy to be able to share that with you all. This week I am zooming in on the area of regional representation in Brussels. Brussels is filled with regional representations from all over Europe that is both working with general policy and concrete project facilitation for stakeholders from the home region. I have myself been working in such an office and, hence, of course wants to share how they work. To put meat on that bone I invited long-time Director of the West Norway Office, Merete Mikkelsen, into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the motivation and function of the office. In the episode we cover how they keep a strong connection to the stakeholders in the home region, we have a talk about their lobbying and influencing efforts and of course we look into the project facilitation. Excellent content to understand how regional representations in Brussels they work. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/70 ### Title: #70 ### Page ID: 8107951 ### Content: ##### #70 Artificial Intelligence R&D and EU funding It is time to harvest the fruits of lots of sowing. Research organisations are quite difficult to get on board the podcast and I have managed a few since I started, but now I am finally having a handful of research organisations already recorded or lined up for recordings. This week I have Senior Researcher Antonio M. Ortiz from the Norwegian private research organisation NORCE in the virtual podcast studio. Not only is Antonio researcher with more than 15 years of experience – he has also worked as research project manager in two different ICT companies. And on top of that he also used to be my colleague as private grants consultants in PNO. In other words - he has tons of experience from many sides of the table when it comes to EU funding and ICT which is his domain. I invited him in to have a talk about his work in NORCE as a researcher in the research group for artificial intelligence. We talk about the research strategy of NORCE and then we allow ourselves to be a little geeky and dig into the actual research they do and also taking time to fold out a funded project on smart manufacturing using artificial intelligence to make a more safe, sustainable and efficient production. This is gold for researchers and research managers. You don’t want to miss this. **Link to the NORCE DARWIN Research Group on artificial intelligence** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/68-69 ### Title: #68 & #69 ### Page ID: 8107998 ### Content: ##### #68 & #69 European Defence Fund - An introduction Europe is at war. Not just since February 2022, but actually since 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea. That incident triggered a reaction in the former European Commission under President Juncker. It was decided to establish a defense fund to strengthen European defence industry and military capacities. We all know what happened later on and as such establishing the fund is almost prophetical. Calls are up this autumn for the funding scheme and hence I considered it a good idea to record an authoritative The Grant introduction to the funding scheme to help everybody that is working with proposals for these calls at this moment. I invited expert on the programme Margherita Volpe, R&I Consultant - Security & Space Knowledge Area Leader at Zabala Innovation Consulting, into the virtual podcast studio to take us all through the programme. The episode is divided into two. In the **first part** we cover the political and strategic background of the funding scheme and the structure of the programme including types of funding, the content categories, typical project activities and call round frequency. In the **second part** we dig into target group stakeholders, how to apply, the evaluation regime, what happens when funding is received and finally do’s and don’t’s. 00:12:22: European Commission priorities and strategies on EDF **The Grant Timeline series with lots of generic tips for proposal development** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/66-67 ### Title: #66 & #67 ### Page ID: 8108008 ### Content: ##### #66 & # 67 Tuscany in Brussels w. guest Simona Costa Brussels has a lot of university liaison offices representing universities from all over Europe. They do a tremendous work – I have seen it with my own eyes. Some universities decide to gather into a collaboration around their Brussels activities. I have an old contact that is representing exactly such an initiative in Brussels. Simona Costa is Head of Office of the university collaboration Tour4EU. It is a collaboration of seven Tuscan universities where they have decided to join forces with a spearhead office in Brussels. Of course I needed to invite in Simona for a talk about how that works. Seven universities are a big mouthful to represent so we discuss of course how they have organized their approach.It became a long talk, so this one is a two-episode release. In the **first part** we talk about the background for the collaboration, we dig into the key functions of the office and how they are organized and finally we have a talk about the issue of distance between the liaison office and the region back home in Italy. In the **second half** we zoom in on the way Simona is structuring the lobbying activities for the seven universities in Tour4EU and then we have a talk about how she secures access to proposals and projects for the Tuscan research communities she supports.Great content for research support professionals and Brussels-representatives. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/65 ### Title: #65 ### Page ID: 8108009 ### Content: ##### #65 Energy companies and EU funding w. guest Amy Radlberger Large energy companies are very popular in the EU funding eco-system. If you manage to get one of these babies onboard your EU energy proposal then you know that you have just made your chance bigger to access funding. Even better if it is from one of the continents big capitals! I happen to be so lucky that The Grant has a regular listener from exactly such an organisation. Amy Radlberger is EU Funding Expert in Wiener Stadtwerke which is the energy company of Vienna. I reached out to invite her in for a talk about how they work with EU funding and luckily for me she happily accepted the invitation. So, we recorded a strong episode with focus on the key innovation areas for such a large organisation, a talk about their innovation strategy and how they calibrate that vis-à-vis EU funding. This is a very strong episode with insights into how the energy company of one of the largest cities in Europe work with EU funding. A real treat for you out there. 00:13:57 Key areas of innovation for Wiener Stadtwerke **Connect with Amy Radlberger on LinkedIn to follow her posts** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/64 ### Title: #64 ### Page ID: 8108010 ### Content: ##### #64 Q&A - Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships I am very proud to present to you all a new episode concept in this podcast: The Grant Q&A. The concept is as simple as it is hopefully informative: 1\. A guest has some questions in relation to EU funding 2\. Another guest is a capacity and can reply those questions Through this concept other beneficiaries throughout Europe approaching the same funding scheme can get enlightened on issues that they have already stumbled into or will eventually stumble into. I will slowly add episodes to The Grant Q&A as I move on. There are no limitations to the questions so please reach out if you would like to be involved. In this episode we will have a look at the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership calls. Stelios Procopiou, co-founder and Director in the company Chrysalis LEAP, is developing trainings for start-up companies and he wants to get some support from Erasmus+ to develop his trainings. But he has some questions before throwing himself at this. Christina Achilleos, owner and founder of the grants consultancy company InnoEUsphere, is an Erasmus+ expert with 45 successful Erasmus+ proposals under her belt. She is the right one for Stelios to ask those questions he has! Please enjoy as we dig into components of the proposal, evaluation criteria, how to keep the proposal on track and so on. Lots and lots of great guidance content for anyone sitting right now and preparing a proposal for this Septembers call round in Erasmus. 00:26:20 What are the specific components that need to be included in an Erasmus+ project proposal? 00:33:36 How does the evaluation process work for Erasmus+ project proposals? 00:41:43 What are some best practices for developing a successful Erasmus+ project proposal? 00:50:45 What are some common challenges that trainers face during the implementation phase of an Erasmus+ project? 01:01:50 How can you ensure that your project stays on track and meets its goals and objectives? 01:06:23 How can you address any unexpected issues or roadblocks that arise during the implementation phase? 01:12:19 What are some effective strategies for monitoring and evaluating the progress and impact of an Erasmus+ project **Connect with Stelios Procopiou on LinkedIn and follow his company Chrysalis Leap that supports start-ups with trainings** **Connect with Christina Achilleos on LinkedIn and follow her grants support company InnoEUspehere** **Official EU Commission Erasmus+ Partnership for Cooperations platform** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/63 ### Title: #63 ### Page ID: 8108011 ### Content: ##### #63 Large industry and EU funding w. guest Agnes Zoller Large industry and EU funded projects are a particular combination. The EU Commission is eager to get them involved in especially Horizon Europe Pillar II projects because of potential big effect that their participation has on impact of the rolling out project results post-project. However, from the face of it large industry rarely needs to funding – they can just pay for the research and innovation and choose the partners they want onboard. And they don’t have to share the results with anybody… However, it is more complex than that. Because the kind of network and collaboration partners that EU projects offers is hard to find for them elsewhere. And the content of the research and innovation investigations also offers elements that gives incentives for large industry to join. Getting in contact with a large industry partner and then getting them involved in a proposal process can be difficult. Entries are not obvious, decision processes takes time and added value for their product strategy is vital for them in order to join a publicly funded project. Large industry is also difficult to get into a podcast! But I managed to get Agnes Zoller, Founder and CEO of InnoGrant Advisors, onboard who has just recently been working for a large chemical company with the responsibility to get them involved in EU-funded projects. This episode offers great insights into why EU projects can be important to large industry, what motivates them, what added value it offers them and, of course not least, how to attract them into your proposal. **Connect with Agnes Zoller on LinkedIn and get her posts in your feed** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/62 ### Title: #62 ### Page ID: 8108020 ### Content: ##### #62 The EU funding system - A mountain of complexity w. guest Maxence Viallon The complexity of the overwhelmingly large EU funding system is massive. In spite of standardization measures over the years and efforts to make funding more accessible from the EU Commission, the system has grown so big that it has proven almost impossible to make a make it simpler to apply for funding. It seems when one big measure from the EU Commission to simplify and standardize has been implemented, another bureaucratic or practical issue grows larger and makes the overall experience from the beneficiaries more or less the same – complex and challenging to approach. The issues are manyfold: Rules for application, budget rules, submission systems, the lingo, the problems of identifying the right funding box, the unspoken rules that you need to know and of course the often absolute necessity for paying an external consultant in order to deal with all this. This is a big topic to chew down – even in a long podcast format like The Grant. Maxence Viallon, Grant Finance Officer at EIT Urban Mobility, has an opinion about this subject and makes an effort through his blog ‘EU funds – Simply explained’ to grow awareness within the EU Commission and among the beneficiaries. I invited him in for a talk about this fundamental issue of the whole EU funding system and it ended up being a great conversation about shared frustrations, the big challenges within the system and what the EU Commission is actually doing to minimize the effects of the complexity. **Maxence Viallon's Blog: EU Funds - Simply explained** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/61 ### Title: #61 ### Page ID: 8108021 ### Content: ##### #61 The Research Manager w. guest Alice Barbaglio The research manager is a title that is becoming more and more common in the university world. In short, a research manager is the supportive and facilitating function in the university administration that supports the researchers and research teams towards public funding. And with this of course also EU funding. The increasing importance of EU funding to universities throughout Europe has raised the importance and numbers of research managers. However, the role is still falling somewhat in-between several chairs in the traditionally conservative world of universities and recognition of the importance of the role is still lacking behind. More and more posts on the topic of Research Managers pops up in my LinkedIn feed and, hence, I decided to reach out to one of my contacts to explain about the role and share with you all and me about the importance of the work that is carried out.Alice Barbaglio is a Research Advisor and project manager at European Institute of Oncology and has been working as a research manager for several years. She is actively sharing her views about the research manager role on LinkedIn and she is an ambassador in the Horizon Europe funded project RM Roadmap that has focus on the research manager role. This episode offers insights on the crucial core elements of the research manager role and inspiration on how to navigate in this role. It is recommended to both new and experienced research managers. **Link to Alice's LinkedIn profile. Connect to follow her nice posts** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/60 ### Title: #60 ### Page ID: 8108022 ### Content: ##### #60 Utilizing project results w. guest Catherine Collins For many many years there has been an imbalance between all the funding for projects and efforts carried out in these projects versus the actual utilization of the project results after the projects end. The EU Commission has over many years tried to deal with this fundamental and critical imbalance in the whole funding-based system. I was reminded of this when I saw a post on LinkedIn by Catherine Collins, freelance science journalist, writing for among several Horizon Magazine, Science Business, Science Calling and EU Observer. The post was pushing an article she had written on a new concept that The EU Commission has initiated to utilize results from funded projects – a hackathon where anyone with an interest and capacity to work with the data where invited to make their bid on how to utilize data from former concrete EU projects. I therefore invited Catherine into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about her article and about this paradox that has been prevailing for decades in the EU funding system – lots of funding, but many results never being used. But also on all the things that the EU Commission has actively done to overcome the paradox. Connect with Catherine and check out her former articles and get her new articles in your feed. **Catherine Collins' Science Business article on EU hackathons** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/59 ### Title: #59 ### Page ID: 8108131 ### Content: ##### #59 The wine sector and EU funding w. guest Andrea Casquete Bureba Digging into specific sectors and how they work with EU funding is also part of what I intent to unfold in this podcast. It is through examples from the stakeholders out there that the importance of EU funding really becomes clear. The Technological Platform of Wine (or PTV) from Spain is an association that facilitates innovation and development for the wine producing sector in Spain. The organisation has in recent years started to engage itself and its members in regionally funded and EU funded projects. The sector is, like agriculture in general, facing many challenges due to climate change and to a growing push for circularity and sustainability in its agricultural praxises. I invited Andrea Casquete Bureba, Project Manager at Technological Platform of Wine (PTV), into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the innovation challenges of the wine sector, how PTV helps its members and how they are using the EU funded projects to help solving these challenges. A wonderful talk that gives similar organisations an idea of how to approach EU funding, which strategies to follow and how to involve members and stakeholders in proposals, projects and lobbying. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/57-58 ### Title: #57 & #58 ### Page ID: 8108164 ### Content: ##### #57 & #58 ERC - An introduction w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev The Horizon Europe framework programme for R&D funding is a bush with many flowers. I have troughout the last year built up content on particular Horizon Europe Pillar II which is focused on collaboration projects solving socio-economic challenges. Now it is time to have a look at one of the other flowers in the bush: The ERC programme for researchers. The programme is THE most important funding programme for the research community broadly speaking. It has a quite different structure and characteristic than the Pillar II part of Horizon Europe. Focus is here to support the individual researchers with the in-depth investigation of their research area giving them the resources that all researchers per se is needing to go ever further into unveiling yet unknown revelations to advance European research in all corners. Added to this, the ERC is a bottom-up programme with no strategic calls. I have never worked with this funding scheme so to get it right I invited in Yoram Bar-Zeev, Managing Director of Enspire Science, into the virtual podcast studio to give us all a thorough introduction to this fundamental funding source for the European research community. In this first part we dig into the background and discourse of the funding scheme and Yoram runs through the technical elements of the funding schemes including call rounds, funding rate eligibility criteria etc. In the second half we are digging deeply into the evaluation regime of the ERC programme and Yoram shares how you should approach the different implicit and explicit evaluation criteria. And of course Yoram gives us an overview of the main pitfalls that most stumble down in when preparing proposals for ERC. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/56 ### Title: #56 ### Page ID: 8108165 ### Content: ##### #56 Erasmus+ and NGO's w. guest Daiana Huber Lately the Erasmus+ programme has opened up to me. I have gained nice contacts that work with the programme regularly and through them of course I am becoming aware of the large dedicated community working with this funding scheme. So, I decided to open up The Grant for this area and start giving the stakeholders a voice. Given the nature of Erasmus+, funding education in all aspects, you also have a lot of NGOs, non-profit organisations and generally organisations with few resources. And many of them are power houses of energy and dedication to the subject they are working with. They wear their hearts outside their shirts. But how do you manage to build and run an NGO that more or less only runs on EU funding? My curiousity was awaken by Daiana Huber, Chief Operations Officer @ CPIP – Center for promotion of life-long learning. Her presence on LinkedIn gave me a hunch that she would have something to share. And she didn’t disappoint me. Or you for that sake. CPIP living out of EU funding and in particular Erasmus+ funding. This means that they are submitting proposals almost at an industrial scale. So, I was interested in opening up her world and let her share with all of you out there in the same boat how they are successfully doing this and sharing insights on do’s and don’t’s. Great content. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/55 ### Title: #55 ### Page ID: 8108174 ### Content: ##### #55 The gender aspect in Horizon Europe - The Timeline Series (23) The gender aspect in the EU R&D framework programmes has long lived a life as sections of the R&D proposals that was not really taken serious. Standard generic 10-lines paragraphs, rolling eyes, frowns and in general being ridiculed as absolutely irrelevant. Those times are slowly fading away. The EU Commission keeps pushing for real gender-related reflections and input both in specific sections and organically in for example the Excellence section. And the Commission has here shown itself a head of time. Most people acknowledges - at least – that it is a subject you need to have an opinion about as a consortium. And if not, you wont be in that last 5% toptier that brings you the funding. It is that simple. The barrier has moved. I brought in two experts on gender and diversity in EU R&D proposals to the virtual podcast studio. Lachlan Smith and Jakob Feldtfos Christensen, owners of DiversiUNIty that is a company supporting research organisations on diversity in research – they also run the podcast Diversity in Research. Here we go through where in the Horizon Europe proposal you need to keep an eye on the gender aspect and they give tips and hints on how to approach it. **Connect with Jakob Feldtfos Christensen on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/54 ### Title: #54 ### Page ID: 8108175 ### Content: ##### #54 AI and proposal writing In the beginning of the year ChatGPT blew to world away – and continues to do so. The level of complexity of the feedback from ChatGPT made it clear for all that here we are dealing with a ground-breaking technology that will have a major impact on development of society. Very quickly after the launch of ChatGPT the number of posts on the impact on grants proposal writing exploded In my LinkedIn feed. Because indeed this technology will have a huge impact on the proposa-based funding system and whoever is employed and involved in it. A couple of my LinkedIn contacts started digging into the technology, shared their findings and discussed the implications for the whole system. So, I decided that it is time for a debate panel in The Grant to discuss the technology, the implications and the possibilities for grants proposal writing and the whole EU funding system. I invited the two independent consultants Kristjan Zemljic and Georg Melzer-Venturi and Director of Innovation at EIT Urban Mobility Gareth Macnaugton into the virtual podcast studio to have a discussion about this extremely hot topic. First, Kristjan shares with us how CHatGPT works and what he has done to work WITH the technology and use all the good things of it and turn it into his advantage. Then we move into a discussion about the implicaTIONS for proposal writing. How will this affect the huge grants consultancy business and does it even matter anymore if ChatGPT does a better job? And finally we will dig into how this will influence the whole proposal-based funding system and reflections on how the EU Commission might deal with this new technology in their future calls and evaluation system design. **Link to Kristjan's company Global Disruption with directions to AI chatbots** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/52-53 ### Title: #52 & #53 ### Page ID: 8108176 ### Content: ##### #52 & #53 Erasmus+ funding programme - An introduction I have slowly moved into including other funding schemes than Horizon Europe. The Grant is thought to cover broadly the main European funding schemes. Not long ago I had a double-episode presenting an Erasmus+ project, so the natural step for me was move to Erasmus+ next. Therefore, this episode is an introduction to the Erasmus+ programme. Or Erasmus+ the EU programme for education, training, youth and sports as it is officially named. I have little experience with this funding scheme. So I have invited one of my good old contacts Ulla-Alexandra Mattl, Project director at the consultancy company Eurakom and external evaluator, into the virtual podcast studio to guide me through the Erasmus+ programme. Making a solid introduction to a funding scheme takes a little time, so this became a double episode. In the first half we start off looking at the EUs purpose with the funding scheme, the structure of the programme and the target groups. In the second half we go through how to apply, evaluation, what happens when funding is received and Do's and don't's. Excellent for any Erasmus+ applicant or would-be applicant. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/49-51 ### Title: #49 & #51 ### Page ID: 8108193 ### Content: ##### #49 & 51 Submission w. guest Miguel Gallardo Linacero - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/50 ### Title: #50 ### Page ID: 8108207 ### Content: ##### #50 Circular Bio-based Europe - Info Day Special When calls are about to open for submission the European Commission and the different European Partnerships arrange infodays on the different thematic sections in the work programmes. Circular Biobased Europe is the European Partnership covering the circular biobased industries that are growing significantly these years. The partnership has its own dedicated section in the Horizon Europe work programme with 18 calls available for the deadlines in 2023. Their Info Day is coming up. 20 April 450 people will gather in the heart of the European area in Brussels for a day dedicated to the circular biobased industry calls. The info days are designed to secure that the stakeholders get information on the open calls, advice on how to develop the proposals, technically how to apply for the calls and not least networking and brokerage activities for people to connect for the many consortia to be settled. I connected with one of my old contacts, Maria Andrielou, Communication Strategist and owner of the communication company Clean Stories specialized on exactly the biobased sector. We agreed to record an episode about the Circular Bio-based Europe Info Day and how it is to participate in such events. And we managed to get Dieter Brigitta, Programme Officer & Call Coordinator from Circular Biobased Europe, into the virtual podcast studio to help us shed light on the organisation and how they run their info days. This is a great The Grant special that gives you an idea of what these events are and how you can benefit from participating. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/48 ### Title: #48 ### Page ID: 8108289 ### Content: ##### #48 Crowdhelix - An open innovation platform w. guest Michael Browne Facilitating networking within EU R&D funding is an animal with many heads. It is quite complex to structure the internet interface or platform. The best solutions are often sector specific which secures that the facilitator can zoom in on the stakeholders and the community within that specific sector. The EU Commission is the only organization that has made a broad platform covering all sectors – however then it tends to water out with too many dead and inactive profiles. Michael Browne, founder of the platform Crowdhelix, has given it a try. With a background in research he developed a private fee-based platform that is giving it a shot to cover sectors broadly in the networking for EU R&D funding. I invited him into the virtual podcast studio to dig into the concept, how he managed to built it up and finally having a talk in general on privately developed networking tools for EU R&D funding. This is a wonderful talk that sheds light on how a long experience on research can generate an idea that can suddenly help a lot of people. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/46-47 ### Title: #46 & #47 ### Page ID: 8108311 ### Content: ##### #46 & #47 The budget in real life w. guest Jonas Hansen I am moving slowly towards the end of The Timeline Series. In the last episode in the series we went through the budget template itself and how to fill it in. However, when preparing the budget the smallest part of it is knowing the budget categories and terms – the biggest part of the work is related to collecting the information, correcting this information, negotiating the budget levels for the partners and all in all dealing with inconsistencies in communication and difficult budget fights in-between in the partners. I invited my old colleague and friend Jonas Hansen to go through all the little and big things that makes finalizing the budget a big challenge for anyone – no matter the organizational talent. It became a double episode. In the **first episode** we talk about how you can help yourself in the months up to the final two weeks when things heat up and then we take step-by-step the things that are most like to give anyone problems including late budget input from partners, wrong figures from partners and too high figures. We share with you all our combined experience from years of working practically with this which will give you an excellent idea of what you can expect when preparing the budget in the final phase. In the **second part** we are sharing the experience of the strategic jerk partners that will dileberately try to cheat or blackmail themselves to higher budget and then we are digging into the horror of budget negotiations and re-negotiations that can take the air out of any proposal writer.We share with you all our combined experience from years of working practically with this which will give you an excellent idea of what you can expect whenpreparing the budget in the final phase. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/44-45 ### Title: #44 & #45 ### Page ID: 8108320 ### Content: ##### #44 & #45 Processes4Planet - A European Partnership Back in the summer of 2022 I had one of my first guests on the show, Marie Latour, who gave us all a broad introduction to the European Partnerships. An immediate realization was that I wanted to explore these partnerships in more detail to give you, dear listeners, an idea of what these organisations do, what role they play in the whole EU R&D funding programme framework and how they interact with their members, stakeholders and not least the EU Commission. I reached out to one of the partnerships that I know best, A:Spire – the partnership covering sustainable process industry. I have been connected to the organization on and off over the last 7 years and have been involved in some of their stakeholder activities collecting input for work programme priorities. The European Partnership arm of this work is now labelled Processes4Planet. I am honored that I managed to get Director Angels Orduna and Chair of the advisory structure Ludo Diels onboard for a thematic double-episode on Processes4Planet. In the **first episode** we take a view into the machine room of a partnership and insights from the horses mouth on collaboration with the Commission, juggling with the cacophony of stakeholders, coordination with other complementary partnerships and securing strong content for their members. In the **second episode** the talk moves into the coordination with the EU Commission and thereafter we dig into the operational level of how Processes4Planet works with their members securing that the stakeholders get their message through. And not least how you manage all this as a small secretariat of a European Partnership. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/43 ### Title: #43 ### Page ID: 8108321 ### Content: ##### #43 No writing! - Alternative grants consultancy w. guest Nikolaos Floratos I am myself an old private grants consultant and it is a sector and people I care about. That’s why I have allocated a specific corner of The Grant to this sector under the label Consultants Corner. Here, I give the sector a voice and dig into all kinds of issues relevant for this shadow sector like business models, the work as a grants consultant, how they develop business concepts, how they deal with insane work pressure and so on and so forth. This weeks guest reached out to me and requested to join the show. Nikolaos Floratos has more than 20 years of experience most pf the time as a grants consultant. He has developed a novel approach to grants consultancy based on a platform with different services with remuneration based on subscription. And it does not include the actual writing of the proposals for the clients, but on solid supportive services. It became an interesting talk about this platform and the conditions for the grants consultancy sector in general when it comes to grants consultancy business model development. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/41-42 ### Title: #41 & #42 ### Page ID: 8108322 ### Content: ##### #41 & #42 How to brokerage - Networking for EU funding w. guest Lara Valentin Carrera Networking is one of the most important elements of working within this field. The ability to navigate in this big ocean is vital for success with grants proposals. There are many layers to be aware of and to work with. In the autumn I reached out to Lara Valentín Carrera from FUNDITEC in Spain to get her involved in The Grant. We have known each other for a long time and our conversation moved into the issue of networking because that was how we met. So, we carved out an episode digging into networking both from a practical perspective but even more important from a phycological and inter-human perspective. This is a strong episode. As usual it became a long talk and I have divided the recording into two. In the **first half** we are focusing on brokerage events and their nature. the **second half**  we continue the talk about brokerage events and thereafter move into the subject of which social skills you need to practice. Finally, we uncover how years of networking efforts can influence both your professional and personal life. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/39-40 ### Title: #39 & #40 ### Page ID: 8108332 ### Content: ##### #39 & #40 foRMAtion - An Erasmus+ example w. guest Virág Zsár For a long time I have been looking for a guest who would like to present a concrete project and tell about the practical implementation of the activities. I managed to connect to Senior Grant Advisor Virág Zsár from the Hungarian private research organization HETFA. They initiated an ERASMUS+ proposal some years ago with the focus of building an EU project manager education sat university level. They got the funding and have implementet the project the last three years. So, this episode is a nice practical piece with insights into what it entails to carry out an EU project. For good and bad. It became too long for one episode so I divided it up into two episodes. In the **first half** Virág presents the background of the proposal, shortly how the proposal process went and the core content elements of the project. Further, we moved into the concrete implementation of the activities and how they had to adjust some of the planning as they moved on. In the **second half** we dig into how the communication and dissemination activities work in ERASMUS+ and how it went with deliverables and results. We also touch upon chemistry in the consortium and Virag shared how the exchange with the funding administrators works in ERASMUS+. Finally, we briefly talked any troubles they ran into along the way – like all projects do. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/37-38 ### Title: #37 & #38 ### Page ID: 8108368 ### Content: ##### #37 & #38 Horizon and waste handling w. guest David Christensen Public waste handling organizations stand at the frontline of the transition to circular economy and a true sustainable society and the EU stands ready with lots of funding to boost and facilitate this dramatic shift. And getting involved in EU R&D proposals and projects as a local municipal organization can be a great way to fund these strategies since they are often costly and with a big element of risk. But how do you attack this big animal as a public entity with limited resources for both developing proposals yourself and paying private consultants to write the proposals for you? The answer is that many don’t. However, a segment of public waste handling organisations have cracked the code to get going with this. BOFA – Waste handling organization of Bornholm, Denmark – is among them. I invited Project manager David Christensen from BOFA into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about how they are working with EU R&D funding - strategically and practically. As often happens in this podcast it became a long talk so I have divided it into two episodes. Here in the first half we cover how they got going with EU funding and how their EU funding strategy has developed. The **first part** offers great strategic advices for other public entities on how to approach the EU funding system in a way that resonates with limited resources for these kind of expenses. The **second half** we focus on what kind of strategy is sensible in order to be involved in as many proposals and projects as manageable, thoughts and recommendations in networking strategy, what effect projects can have on real life in terms of improved processes and, finally, one of the most significant challenges for EU project hunters in the public sector: lack of understanding of the added value of EU projects at the political level and from other departments in the organization. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/36 ### Title: #36 ### Page ID: 8108377 ### Content: ##### #36 The budget template explained w. guest Jelena Kajganovic- The Timeline Series (18) I have reached the budget in my Timeline Series which is one of the last things to finish in the proposal process. To fill in the budget template you need to be aware of the terminologies, the different budget categories and the partner categories. This I have actually done myself a couple of times, but to make sure that I get the explanations right, I have invited Horizon Europe budget specialist Jelena Kajganovic from Europa Media into the virtual podcast studio to take us all through the budget template, how to fill it in and what to be aware of. It can be rather confusing especially the first couple of times you have to do it, so we tried to make it rather pedagogical running through the essentials. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/34-35 ### Title: #34 & #35 ### Page ID: 8108388 ### Content: ##### #34 & #35 Recruiting in grants consultancy w. guest Sara Arryn Recruiting consultants in the private grants consultancy sector is rough. EU R&D grants consultancy is a low-fee consulting area which affects the salaries you can pay and the conditions you can offer. On top of this, the work that it entails to be a grants consultant is rough and tough on work-life-balance. That means you really have to stand out as a company if you want to attract the right people. Ayming is a French global HR and finance consultancy company that is also involved in grants consultancy. I invited their HR Business Partner Sara Arryn into the virtual podcast studio to a good talk about recruiting in this business. They, like everybody else within the sector is twisting and turning to find a way to get the right people onboard. It became a long talk that resulted in two episodes. In the **first part** we are digging into the conditions of recruiting in the grants application business and Sara shares core elements of Aymings recruiting strategy and the perception of the grant business from her point of view as human resource professional. In the **second part** we zoom in specifically on a job dating concept Ayming has developed where all the normal recruiting procedures have been skipped and replaced by more relaxed procedures, but of course still with the focus to find the right candidates. The episodes offers concrete tools for grants consultancy managers and HR responsibles that can help to improve the results of the resources allocated for the recruitment efforts. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/33 ### Title: #33 ### Page ID: 8108390 ### Content: ##### #33 Christmas Special - Proposal preparation during Christmas w. guest Celia Hadjichristodoulou It’s Christmas and of course The Grant also serves you a Christmas Special. The season is wonderful – most people will agree - but for grants consultants and anyone forced to deal with proposals with deadlines in January it is a time with mixed feelings. And for many the focus on the celebrations and lovely time with the family and friends is lost in proposal anxiety and overwhelming amounts of work. Back in autumn I invited founder and managing director of the Cypriotic boutique grants consultancy company GrantXpert Celia Hadjichristodoulou to have a Christmas Specia. She is Orthodox Christian and so is my wife – hence there is a basis for a lovely talk about Christmas, but also the difficult elements as grants consultant. We share anecdotes of horrible past proposal processes we experienced during Christmas and how it has formed our view on avoiding exactly this. It became a talk about the vital importance of managers and their understanding of their employees and the importance of managers to be courages enough to turn down assignments that will damage the employees. So, the episode offers grants consultancy managers reflections on how to make sure the team is ok even though the employees are under heavy pressure. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/32 ### Title: #32 ### Page ID: 8108391 ### Content: ##### #32 VITO's way up - Building a research organisation on EU funds w. guest Ludo Diels All research organisations struggle with how to attract enough resources to develop the research activities that is strategically important. Using EU funds is one way to go, but can be trouble-some. VITO is one of the strongest private research organisations in Europe and they are continously at ranking in the top of research organisations collecting most EU R&D funding. I had a talk with Ludo Diels who has a long career in different research leading positions in VITO. He is now a professor emeritus and for VITO he is involved in Processes4Planet as Chairman of the Advisory and Programming Group. We dug into the Belgian-Flemish private research organization VITO and how they have used EU funding as a key tool to build up the organization over the years from the early framework programme in the 1980's and 1990's and to now with a coherent strong funding strategy that is vital for their work in the different research departments and business units. This conversation sheds light on the challenges that research organisations have in keeping up the flow of money to fund their research activities and how to work internally as well as externally to succeed with this. This episode has very strong advice and insights from one of the most successful research organisations on Europe on how to work with EU funding as a research organisation. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/31 ### Title: #31 ### Page ID: 8108392 ### Content: ##### #31 No-Copy-Approach - Shaping winning communication sections w. guest Sean Jones Some time ago I noticed a nice post from a guy called Sean Jones that posted a video interview called Thought Leaders as part of the communication strategy of an EU project. It was quite different communication approach than I am used to so I reached out to Sean for an interview. It showed that Sean is an enthusiastic guy focused on doing communication and dissemination activities with a big focus on real values and not copy-paste approach as many they do. He has even formed his own NGO with exactly this focus. In other words, Sean has a big heart for this and it became a very nice talk with some sharp edges along the way towards back-spine practices. We discuss the background for communication and dissemination and we dig into the tools the Sean is using in his NGO when they involve themselves in EU proposals and projects. There is a strong focus in this talk on starting to take these sections of the proposals serious and to get rid of automatic-reactions and copy-paste approaches when developing the input - both for proposal text and the proposed actions. This is a vital episode for people who are developing content for the communication, dissemination and exploitation parts of proposals with lots of tips and tricks how to make your proposal stand out as extraordinary. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/30 ### Title: #30 ### Page ID: 8108393 ### Content: ##### #30 Get to the point! Research input in Horizon proposals w. guest Yoram Bar-Zeev Founder and Director of the Israeli grants consultancy company Enspire – Yoram Bar-Zeev - asked if he could join the show and share his knowledge on how to fold out the research input for the Excellence section. Of course he received a big YES from me and I am happy he reached out because this conversation became a very nice talk about how to develop the Excellence section from scratch and . The key focus in the talk is on what the evaluators are paying attention to, what you have a big influence on yourself when developing the text and how to sharpen the text and narrative. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/29 ### Title: #29 ### Page ID: 8108443 ### Content: ##### #29 The Implementation Section 3 - The tables and diagrammes - The Timeline Series (17) This is a Timeline Series episode. I have reached to the Implementation section and have already shared with you all the guest episode with Georg Melzer-Venturi on the work package descriptions. We didn’t manage to cover the remaining part of the Implementation section 3 which mainly consists of a large handful of tables and diagrammes. I have decided to make a solo episode on this. Mainly because I have dealt with this many times myself, but also because it is pretty straight forward. The tables and diagrammes are summing up on efforts, things to deliver to the EU Commission, timelines for the tasks and so on. In other words this is where you give the evaluators and the EU Commission the overview of the hard facts of your organisations. It can seem like a cacophony of templates and tables and indeed it is good to have a cool head when you attack this part of the proposal. Which is tricky, because most of it you can’t do before the very end. And in the very end few people have a calm head. In this episode I run through all the elements of the Implementation section and give you all some tips, tricks and advice on how to deal with it especially towards the end of the proposal process where most of these need to be developed and filled in. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/27-28 ### Title: #27 & #28 ### Page ID: 8108444 ### Content: ##### #27 & &28 The Implementation Section 3 - The work package descriptions w. guest Georg Melzer-Venturi Recently I have been running through the actual proposal sections, bit by bit, and have now reached to the Implementation section 3. Or more precisely: Section 3 Quality and efficiency of the implementation. This is where you describe how you will actually in all practicality carry out the activities to reach the projects targets and it is also here you will have to share the organization between the work packages, detailed timeline and so on. This is one of the proposals sections I have been doing on a regular basis, but to make sure I get critical mass in these crucial episodes I have invited independent grants consultant, Georg Melzer-Venturi into the virtual podcast studio to share his views, experience, tips and tricks with you and me. In this episode we focus on the Work Package descriptions. It became a long talk and hence I have divided it into two parts. In the **first part** we discuss how to prepare the work developing the Work Package descriptions together with the partners and we move into the structure of the descriptions and what should be included. The episode contains plenty of good advices, tips and tricks on how to work with your partners in the brainstorm phase and how to attack the descriptions. This is the second half of a double-episode on the Work Package descriptions. I have invited independent grants consultant, Georg Melzer-Venturi into the virtual podcast studio to share his views, experience, tips and tricks with you and me on this crucial part of the proposal and how to work with the partners. First half focused on preparation and structure. This second half focuses on the complexity of all the information that comes together in the Work Package descriptions, making sure that the descriptions reflects what is in the Excellence and Impact sections and how to deal with structuring your effort and proposal management. Of course, the episode contains plenty of good advices, tips and tricks on how deal with the complexity, cacophony of information and how to structure your approach as a proposal developer. **Link to Georg Melzer-Venturi's grants consultancy company** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/26 ### Title: #26 ### Page ID: 8108445 ### Content: ##### #26 EIC Accelerator - Translating the idea into project concept w. guest Sandra Ani´c In this episode I am exploring the idea development for EIC Accelerator proposals. Through LinkedIn I got in contact with Sandra Anic who is a Business development manager in the Croation grants consultancy company Aestus Consulting. In this exchange Sandra shares with me how to unfold the technology concept that you have developed into a full proposal concept. How to understand lab test concept, how to fold out a strong business model and market analysis and what tools you can use for this. Especially the canvas tool is presented and discussed. In short, we discuss how to calibrate the technology idea into the EU Commissions frame of EIC Accelerator. The episodes especially offers advice for grants consultants on how to work with the clients' starting point and input and it gives advices how to approach the different core proposal parts. However, all people working on EIC Accelerator proposals will get something out of this, as well as people working with Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/25 ### Title: #25 ### Page ID: 8108446 ### Content: ##### #25 Four day working week w. guest Christina Archilleos This summer I released an episode focusing on the hardships of writing proposals over the summer and on the deadline structure in Horizon Europe. It is one the most popular episodes and many people got back to me afterwards thanking me for picking up the subject. Briefly after I picked up a LinkedIn post by the Cypriotic grants consultancy company GrantXperts that flagged that they were running a 4-day working week over summer. Therefore, I invited Christina Achilleos - then working as Head of Erasmus Unit in GrantXperts - into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about how they managed to scale down on working days and give their employees a break in what is one of the most difficult periods as a grants writer. This episode has insights into alternative ways to arrange and manage working hours for employees within this highly resource-intensive sector of grants consultancy. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/23-24 ### Title: #23 & #24 ### Page ID: 8108456 ### Content: ##### #23 & #24 The NTNU Brussels Office The Grant has finally reached the university world. Under the label The Grant Campus I will also cover this crucial area as I move on.First episode zooms in on the Brussels Office of the Norwegian University for Science and Technology. Many universities throughout Europe have chosen to establish an office in Brussels to get closer to the EU R&D eco-system both decision-makers, influencers and collaboration partners of strategic importance for the university faculties. I have invited Head of NTNU Brussels Office Massimo Busuoli into the virtual podcast studio to share with us the why NTNU established an office in Brussels, how they use the representation strategically, what the university gets out of it and finally – and not least – the crucial question of how they efficiently coordinate work with more than 1000 kilometers apart and secure a strong connection to all corners of a big university.The episode has been divided into two and in this first half we focus on how to secure a strong connection back home with a vibrant collaboration and achieving important results when the physical distance between the liaison office and the university is more than a 1000 kilometers. The episode has been divided into two. The **first part** offers advice on how to strategically and practically approach running a Brussels liaison office and securing a strong organisational connection between the two entities. In the **second half** we have a talk about how their office work practically, learn about the key role the Brussels office has in NTNUs strategic lobby activities and shed light on how it helps the university in getting into a bunch of flagship Horizon Europe proposals with just the right consortia.The episode offers advice on how to strategically and practically approach running a Brussels liaison office and how to get the most out of your lobby efforts towards Horizon Europe work programmes and at the same time benefit on joining concrete top-ranging proposals. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/22 ### Title: #22 ### Page ID: 8108465 ### Content: ##### #22 The Impact Section 2.2 - How to structure it w. guest Gabriella Lovasz - The Timeline Series (15) I have reached to the actual proposal writing and now it is time to dig into the Impact section. I am now looking at chapter 2.2 Measures to maximize impact. This is where you describe how you will spread your results, communicate to different segments about your great project and exploit the results for the benefit of your organization, the sector and society. I have invited Director of Europa Media, Gabriella Lovasz onboard sharing her career-long experience working with exactly this for clients – communication, dissemination and exploitation. Both in writing proposals and implementing. Further, Europa Media is one of the leading providers of trainings and courses on EU R&D funding. In this second episode we reflect and discuss how to best structure the input for the section when putting pen to paper and how to get the best out of the partners that often find it hard to deal with this specific - but crucial – chapter. The episode has lots of tips, tricks and hacks for proposal writers on how to make this sectio tiptop. 00:14:56: Communication, dissemination an exploitation **Link to Europa Media and their platform with trainings and webinars** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/21 ### Title: #21 ### Page ID: 8108474 ### Content: ##### #21 The Impact Section 2.2 - The template explained w. guest Gabriella Lovasz - The Timeline Series (14) I have reached to the actual proposal writing and now it is time to dig into the Impact section. The last two weeks I covered 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact and now the next two weeks it is time for chapter 2.2 Measures to maximize impact. This is where you describe how you will spread your results, communicate to different segments about your great project and exploit the results for the benefit of your organization, the sector and society. I have invited Director of Europa Media, Gabriella Lovasz onboard sharing her career-long experience working with exactly this for clients – communication, dissemination and exploitation. Both in writing proposals and implementing. Further, Europa Media is one of the leading providers of trainings and courses on EU R&D funding.In the first episode we dig into the EU Commissions outline and directions in the official Horizon Europe proposal template and discuss and reflect the background for the directions and how to interpret them. 00:00:00: Introduction and thoughts on the Impact 2.2 section 00:18:00: Communication, dissemination and exploitation **Link to Europa Media and their platform with trainings and webinars** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/20 ### Title: #20 ### Page ID: 8108475 ### Content: ##### #20 Impact 2.1 - How to structure it w. guests Melanie Büscher and Barbara Spano - The Timeline Series (13) I have reached to the writing phase in The Timeline Series and will now dig into the Impact section. The Impact section has two distinct sections: one on results and impact (2.1) and one on how to share results and spread them (2.2). I have therefore decided to record two episodes covering 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact and two episodes covering 2.2 Measures to maximize impact. I have written a handful of Impact sections myself, but to get critical mass on the guidance I have invited Team Lead of Research Support at the IT University in Copenhagen Melanie Büscher and Danish NCP and Chief Consultant in The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science Barbara Spano – both Advisory Board members of The Grant. They both have more than a decade of experience in facilitating roles as NCPs and university project support offices which means they have evaluated countless proposals. They helped me digging into Impact section 2.1. This is the second part of the double episode on Impact section 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact. Here we reflect and discuss how to best structure the input for the section when putting pen to paper and how to get the best out of the partners that often find it hard to deal with this specific - but crucial - chapter.This episode contains advice, tips and tricks needed when you start to write this section. Anyone who is writing or is about to write an Impact section is recommended to listen to this episode. 00:00:00 Challenges to gather info and develop section - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/19 ### Title: #19 ### Page ID: 8108498 ### Content: ##### #19 The Impact section 2.1 - The template explained w. guests - The Timeline Series (12) I have reached to the writing phase in The Timeline Series and will now dig into the Impact section. The Impact section has two distinct sections: one on results and impact (2.1) and one on how to share results and spread them (2.2). I have therefore decided to record two episodes covering 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact and two episodes covering 2.2 Measures to maximize impact. I have written a handful of Impact sections myself, but to get critical mass on the guidance I have invited Team Lead of Research Support at the IT University in Copenhagen Melanie Büscher and Danish NCP and Chief Consultant in The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science Barbara Spano – both Advisory Board members of The Grant. They both have more than a decade of experience in facilitating roles as NCPs and university project support offices which means they have evaluated countless proposals. They helped me digging into Impact section 2.1. This is the first part of the double episode on Impact section 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact. Here we go through how the background of the Impact section guidance as provided by the EU Commission in the Horizon Europe proposal template. Further, we go through main sections in the template and fold out how to interpret the text.This episode contains solid advice and background information needed before putting pen to paper writing this section. Anyone who is writing or is about to write an Impact section is recommended to listen to this episode.Get the grant! 00:00:00 Introduction and thoughts on the Impact section - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/18 ### Title: #18 ### Page ID: 8108499 ### Content: ##### #18 The Excellence section - How to structure it w. guest Marie Prouteau - The Timeline Series (11) In my Timeline Series I have reached to the actual writing phase and start of course with the Excellence section. Even though I have written some Excellence sections myself this is not my core expertise and therefor I have invited one of my Advisory Board members onboard to make sure that I cover it right. Private consultant Marie Prouteau has 13 years of experience working with EU funding incl. EU R&D policies support, EU project implementation, EU R&D grants consultancy with strong capacities in especially proposal development and evaluation. She is also an EU project Expert Evaluator on Horizon Europe for the EU Commission. This is a double episode where we in this first part go through the official Horizon Europe proposal template. The template is where it all starts and the EU Commission is giving quite detailed directions and instructions on what information is expected to be considered for funding. Together with the call text instructions this is what you are measured against from the evaluators side. However, the instructions can be complex to decipher especially if you haven't done this a lot. Therefore, Marie and I go through the template, section by section, bit by bit, and explain the thoughts behind from the EU Commission and how you should percieve the different subsections and logic behind it. We also explain meaning behind some key funding language words that the EU Commission uses since it is important to understand before you start to write. This is the second part of a double episode. In the first episode we go through how to approach sub-section by sub-section in the Excellence chapter including the crucial first page, the objectives, state-of-the-art through to layout and overall approach to the writing process.The episode is packed with tons of advice, tips, tricks, recommendations, "do's" and lots of "don't's" on how you can approach the writing of the section improving your chances significantly on getting the high scores from evaluators and getting the grant in the end. 00:54:30: Overall advices to the full proposal writing - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/17 ### Title: #17 ### Page ID: 8108500 ### Content: ##### #17 The Excellence section - The template explained w. guest Marie Prouteau - The Timeline Series (10) In my Timeline Series I have reached to the actual writing phase and start of course with the Excellence section. Even though I have written some Excellence sections myself this is not my core expertise and therefor I have invited one of my Advisory Board members onboard to make sure that I cover it right. Private consultant Marie Prouteau has 13 years of experience working with EU funding incl.  EU R&D policies support, EU project implementation, EU R&D grants consultancy with strong capacities in especially proposal development and evaluation. She is also an EU project Expert Evaluator on Horizon Europe for the EU Commission. This is a double episode where we in this first part go through the official Horizon Europe proposal template. The template is where it all starts and the EU Commission is giving quite detailed directions and instructions on what information is expected to be considered for funding. Together with the call text instructions this is what you are measured against from the evaluators side. However, the instructions can be complex to decipher especially if you haven't done this a lot. Therefore, Marie and I go through the template, section by section, bit by bit, and explain the thoughts behind from the EU Commission and how you should percieve the different subsections and logic behind it. We also explain meaning behind some key funding language words that the EU Commission uses since it is important to understand before you start to write. The episode is packed with explanations and crucial background information for anybody who is writing or is going to write an Excellence section. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/16 ### Title: #16 ### Page ID: 8108501 ### Content: ##### #16 The European Partnerships In this episode I have invited Advisory Board member Marie Latour in to give an introduction to the European Partnerships in Horizon Europe. Marie Latour is the Secretary General for the European Association of Innovation Consultants.  She has 20 years of experience working within the EU Brussels community  both in relation to funding and policy.Marie takes me through the historical background of the European Partnerships and the importance they have the framework of R&D funding and influencing the content of the work programmes. It is a vast and complex framework that requires a little bit of attention and focus to understand how it works. In our talk here we open up the framework for the listeners and explain what each partnership category offers, how to get involved and what purpose they have. The episode run through what the partnerships are incl. Institutionalized Partnerships (e.g. Clean Hydrogen and Circular Bio-based Europe), the EITs (e.g. EIT  FOOD and EIT HEALTH), the Co-programmed (e.g. Processes4Planet and Build4People) and the Co-funded (e.g. Clean Energy Transition and Water4All). The episode is providing an overview and explanations for the partnerships and giving directions to where you can find more information. Also it gives advice on how you can get involved in influencing the work programmes through membership of these initiatives. **Link to the European Association of Innovation Consultants** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/15 ### Title: #15 ### Page ID: 8108502 ### Content: ##### #15 Break on through to the other side - Communicating Horizon Europe w. guest Casper Ravnsted-Larsen In this episode I have invited Advisory Board member Casper Ravnsted-Larsen onboard to have a talk about the challenging task to do communication on EU R&D funding. Casper is a journalist currently working for the Danish Trade Union for Social Sciences, Business and Law as a journalist for the membership publication, communicating on research and innovation. He has 8 years past experience from Brussels as a journalist in the Danish regional EU R&D funding support eco-system. I have invited him in for a talk about how to maximize impact of the communication efforts on EU R&D funding as a communication officer. We focus on two elements: 1) How he approached the task communicating as a journalist about EU R&D funding to stakeholders and a broader public and 2) A solid session with tips and advice on what strategy to embark on as a Brussels representation communication officer if you want the best chances for success in getting attention from the audience and, not least, get your employer/management board to REALLY appreciate the work you do. The episode is heavy packed with experience-based advice on getting success as a communication officer in any organization dealing with EU R&D funding. This episode might even improve your career path significantly! :o) - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/14 ### Title: #14 ### Page ID: 8108503 ### Content: ##### #14 Innovation clusters and Eastern Europe w. guest Katarzyna Kowalska In this episode I have invited my third Advisory Board member Katarzyna Kowalska into the virtual podcast studio where we dig into the work of innovation clusters and the role they play in the Eastern European context. Katarzyna is President and co-founder of the UNIMOS Alliance which is a Polish independent agro business innovation cluster for specifically SMEs in the agro-bio-economy sector. Further, she is also an Assistant at the International Management and Marketing Institute at the Warsaw School of Economics. She has more than 18 years experience working with the EU R&D funding programmes. In this episode Katarzyna share how she built the cluster from scratch in framework conditions with little financial support moving onto how the cluster works and supports their members in relation to EU R&D funding and European network. Here she shares with the listeners how she strategically involves the innovation cluster as partners in flagship Horizon proposals with long-term-relationship partners and in this way opens up proposal participation for core SME members of the cluster. In the last part of the episode we discuss the relatively low participation of Eastern European SMEs in EU projects, the possible reasons and how local clusters like Unimos Alliance works to overcome these challenges. The episode has lots of insights into how innovation clusters work and the added value for especially SMEs to be involved. There are tips, tricks and advice on how to grow your network as a cluster representative and how to practically engage yourself into the networks available and grow your chance of succesfully attract EU R&D funding for your cluster and your members. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/13 ### Title: #13 ### Page ID: 8108512 ### Content: ##### #13 The SME Issue w. guest Jonas Hansen I have my second Advisory Board member Jonas Hansen onboard for this episode where we dig into SMEs and Horizon Europe. Jonas facilitates R&D and innovation in especially SMEs in the ICT sector. He has more than 12 years experience working with the EU R&D funding programmes. Jonas has also recently been working for a SME which results in an excellent talk about what it actually entails for SMEs to embark on EU proposals and how to implement the winning projects. We discuss why it is important for SMEs and then we dig into why SMEs are often hesitating to join proposals. The episode has lots of practical examples.The episode has advice on how to support SMEs before entering a proposal (for facilitators), how it is to implement a EIC Accelerator project for SMEs and how to secure spin-off business and added value from the proposal process even if you don’t win the funding. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/12 ### Title: #12 ### Page ID: 8108513 ### Content: ##### #12 Preparing for the writing phase In this episode I look at the important things to be aware of before you enter the writing phase in the proposal preparation. The writing process itself is quite complicated and complex and therefore it is vital that you prepare yourself as good as you can before the train is rolling. It can spare you many problems and save valuable time. I go through a handful of things to be aware of including your own planning, the set-up in your internal writing-team, work package group meetings preparations, gathering input for excellence-section and first budget expectation exercise. The episode include lots of practical tips and tricks for this part of the process. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/11 ### Title: #11 ### Page ID: 8108514 ### Content: ##### #11 The Summer Struggle It is time to have a talk about proposal writing during the summer. Nobody ever really talks about this. But we need to, because it is a rough task that is made much more complicated by different holiday calendars, disrupted work flows and general ignorance vis-à-vis the complex challenges that the proposal writers face. The consequences are more than just a lost trip to the beach – anxiety, heavy stress, solitude, bottomless despair and burn-outs are the reality for many individuals during and after submission of proposals in August and September. I have invited NGO-representative Ivana Todorovic and independent grant consultant Georg Melzer-Venturi into the virtual podcast studio for a panel discussion about this important subject. In the first half of the long talk we had, we discuss the annual call circle and the Commissions responsibility for settling the deadlines. Second, we cover how very different the proposal preparation process is during summer compared to the rest of the year. This is a must-hear for all proposal writers, but especially for the less experienced. In the second part of The Grant summer special episode on proposal writing during the summer. I have invited NGO-representative Ivana Todorovic and independent grant consultant Georg Melzer-Venturi into the virtual podcast studio for a panel discussion about this important subject.We discuss the consequences of summer proposal preparation on especially the mental health and family relations and we discuss how private consultancy business models and university framework conditions don’t help at all with these problems. Finally, we give some advice and solutions on how to handle this as a proposal writer. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/10 ### Title: #10 ### Page ID: 8108515 ### Content: ##### #10 The coordinator - The Timeline Series (8) In this episode I dig into the coordinator issue - to be a coordinator and to find a coordinator. I run through who is normally coordinating Horizon Europe proposals. Then I elaborate on the key elements on being a coordinator including the key responsabilities. If you dont have a coordinator I then share with you the approach related to choosing a coordinator among the consortium partners and finally, if no one wants to pick it up, I give tips and advices on how to identify and find a coordinator. This is a subject that I will get back to in future episodes in interviews with guests that have more experience from coordinating proposals and projects. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/9 ### Title: #9 ### Page ID: 8108543 ### Content: ##### #9 Completing the consortium - The Timeline series (7) In this seventh episode of The Timeline Series I move into the area of completing the comsortium. When the partners agree to join you need to formally get them onboard. Now is also the time where you need to get your practical organisation in place if you haven't already set up your systems. I share how I deal with my organisation when I coordinate these processes. Further, I share how you get from draft consortium to final consortium including all the difficulties you will most likely run into getting the final confirmations. In the end of this episode I will cover the consortium meetings you need to have where content and practical discussions will be carried out. I share the typical agenda points that I have when preparing my power point slides. The episode is filled with practical advice on how to deal with this part of the process. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/8 ### Title: #8 ### Page ID: 8108544 ### Content: ##### #8 How to develop a clear concept with clever angles w. guest Kristjan Zemljic This is the first Advisory Board episode. In the Advisory Board concept I will have a core group of experts that on a regular basis drops by the virtual podcast studio to exchange, discuss and enlighten me and the listeners on issues within grants application. In this episode I have the first The Grant Advisory Board member Kristjan Zemljic onboard. Kristjan has the independent consultancy company Global Disruption together with his partner. Kristjan has been working with EU R&D grants application for more than 10 years in different connections, but now primarily works with high-tech SME's and incubator organisations. We have a nice in-depth talk about how to develop your idea into and full project concept. We depart from The Grant timeline episode on the topic and dig into the details on which tools we use, how we prefer to approach the content discussions with teams and clients and how to arrive at the strong concept in the end. The episode contains lots of advise and reflections on this crucial part of the proposal preparation. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - 00:15:35: Overall – how to prepare yourself and attacking the process to make a good concept - 00:34:30: How to use Power Point, Google Drive etc as idea development canvas tools shaping the technical project structure - 00:53:00: Work package structure – IPR, Communication/Dissemination/Exploitation, Project management, Life Cycle Assessment etc - 00:57:30 : Concept tool in steps to work with the core partner - 01:02:30: Call requirements check up vs. the project concept - 01:06:45: The toughest challenge --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/7 ### Title: #7 ### Page ID: 8108545 ### Content: ##### #7 Partner value chain and partner search - The Timeline Series (6) In this sixth episode on The Timeline Series I move on to the partner value chain definition and the partner search activities. I run through how to define your partner value chain for your proposal and move on to giving tips for your partner search strategy. Second half of the episode is dedicated to more practical elements on how you reach out to possible partners and how you deal with follow-up meetings and onboarding to the consortium. The episode has lots of tips and good advice on how to structure your outreach and not least how to identify and approach partners outside your network. This episode leads up to the next episode where I will go into deteails on settling the consortium. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/6 ### Title: #6 ### Page ID: 8108546 ### Content: ##### #6 Concept note - The Timeline Series (5) In this fifth episode of The Timeline Series I give some tips and advice on how to make a strong concept note for your project concept. The concept note is needed to recruit partners to your proposal, but it also serves as the first short coherent written outline of your project concept. I run through the function of the concept note, I give advice on how to structure the document and share some thoughts on what to be aware of. Finally, I give my view on what are the toughest challenges with this part of the proposal preparation process. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/5 ### Title: #5 ### Page ID: 8108547 ### Content: **#5** **Idea and concept development - The Timeline Series (4)** In this fourth episode of The Timeline Series I am digging into the process of developing the basic idea into a full Horizon Europe proposal concept. I will run through overall elements to be aware of to make a good project concept. Second, I will give some advice on how you need to get a team involved before you start this part of the process. In the third - and main - part of the episode I will give some input and tips on how to attack the idea development process and explain how I normally deal with this. In the last part of the episode I will share ideas on workshops approaches and how to settle a work package structure for the project concept Get the grant! **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/4 ### Title: #4 ### Page ID: 8108548 ### Content: In this third episode of The Timeline Series of the The Grant podcast I will be digging into how to read and analyze the Horizon Europe work programme call texts. When you have identified the specific call, you are faced with a strategic R&D call text where a little bit a guidance is beneficial for the interpretation and analysis before you continue developing the overall project concept. I run through how the texts are structured and the logic behind. Further, through concrete text examples I explain how to approach the analysis of the call text and how to interpret it. Finally, I carve out which things to pay extra attention to. The episode is full of guidance, tips, tricks, some background knowledge + where to go for more help that will all help you digest the call text to make sure that you get it right. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") 1. call text structure 2. analysing the call text and 3. key elements to be aware of --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/3 ### Title: #3 ### Page ID: 8108549 ### Content: In this episode I outline ways to identify the concrete funding calls that you will need to match your R&D project ideas.  I will explain the structure of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and the work programme documents are build up. Second, the episode contains information on how to find and identify the concrete call in the work programmes. The episode contains tips and tricks on how to easiest find possible funding calls relevant for you and which support structures that are available to help you further.  **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/2 ### Title: #2 ### Page ID: 8108550 ### Content: I start building a batch of generic episodes covering each phase of preparing an EU R&D funding proposal from the initial idea is born until submitting the final proposal to the EU Commission. I have labelled this "The timeline series". Here in the first The Timeline Series episode I dig into the basic project idea and what to be aware of when considering applying for EU funding. The episode contains advice within the mentioned categories above and gives insights into the most important things to be aware of. **Link to The Grant Hub with entries to support sites** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - The origin of an idea - Strenght of the idea - European added value - Has it been done before? - Duration of the project and time to contract - Marketability and replicability of the idea - Funding rates - The aspect of project partners --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/196-197 ### Title: #196 & #197 ### Page ID: 8116773 ### Content: ##### #196 & #197 Collaboration Architecture - The Implementation Series (12 & 13) Building a strong connection - at the social level - is one of the most important things in the implementation of an EU project. Mónica Expositor Blasco is an expert on this and therefor a natural expert guest for my episode on social elements when implementing EU projects in my Implementation Series. There were many things to discuss, so this episode is divided into two episodes. **In the first half**, we examine the human side of EU project delivery - how teams actually work together once the grant is awarded. We map the “typical consortium story”: euphoric kick-off, then a slide into silent struggle - passive meetings, free-riding perceptions, unclear roles, and coordination teams forced into “babysitting”. Monica’s point is blunt: these aren’t just people problems; they’re architecture problems. Most projects rely on informal habits and administrative project management, but rarely design how collaboration should function. Rhythms, roles, rules, spaces, and norms that help a set of entities act like a team. Monica introduces the role of a collaboration architect - not just facilitating one good meeting, but blueprinting the whole system. We have a look at the symptoms of weak architecture (information-dump kick-offs, passive observers, “update theatre”), then get concrete about solutions: phased kick-offs with online onboarding before the room, interactive formats instead of slide marathons, and a light playbook that sets communication norms, decision paths and “speak-up-early” principles. We close with practical examples like speed-dating across work packages, movement and micro-rituals to get voices in the room, and agenda designs that prioritise sense-making and decisions over presentations. **In the second half** we then get hands-on with practical tools and the principles behind them. Monica walks through dynamic kick-off designs (gallery walks, “cross-WP speed-dating” with three clarifying questions), flipping monthly calls from update theatre to problem-solving, and building a single source of truth with a lightweight project hub and task-oriented channels. We cover weekly asynchronous “last week I / this week I” updates, rigorous agendas framed as questions, and the core principles that make it all work: design before you build, make the implicit explicit (via a team playbook), engineer serendipity, and move from contract to commitment. 00:17:33 The diagnosis: Symptoms of a weak architecture 00:30:36 The solution: Designing the system for success The future: collaboration as a competitive advantage - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/scouting ### Title: Scouting ### Page ID: 8213056 ### Content: # Scouting services ##### Need help? Reach out! ## Get inspired to find a coordinator ## Get inspired to find a partner ##### Need help? Reach out! ## My experience - your successful scouting ##### Want to hear more? Reach out! I have career spanding experience in working with EU R&D funding supporting stakeholders of all sorts towards funding and strategic impact in Brussels. Throughout my full career my key capacity has been to identify EU proposals under preparation, possible partners and possible coordinators. Engaging with The Grant Services you will get a strong professional intelligence service that identifies what you are searching for so you can move on with your EU proposal. If you can't find a coordinator your proposal is dead. This is one of the key pains for many proposals under preparation. Targeted partner scouting across industry, SMEs, universities, RTOs, clusters and NGOs that match your TRL, scope and role needs for your consortium. Early intelligence on relevant consortia forming during the proposal phase towards any deadline. Identifying proposals can be really tricky and difficult. **18 years’ of experience** of scouting, identifying and mapping stakeholders and ecosystems and opening doors across FP7, Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, LIFE, Erasmus+ and mission‑oriented programmes. Briefing from client → search → shortlist → introductions → follow‑up → connection confirmed. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Profiling - Intelligence and outreach to experienced coordinators with strong call-fit. - Weekly progress reports - Facilitation of introductory meeting - First-meeting support on request - Rapid scans (1-2 weeks) - Deeper scans (3-6 weeks) depending on scope) - Profiling - Intelligence and outreach to possible partners with strong fit for your partner value chain. - Weekly progress reports - Facilitation of introductory meeting - First-meeting support on request - Curated longlist and shortlist (with rationale) - Rapid scans (1-2 weeks) - Deeper searches (3-6 weeks) depending on scope - Profiling of preferred partners/proposals - Intelligence and outreach to coordinators and proposal owners - Weekly progress reports - Pipeline of proposals-in-preparation - Facilitation of introductory meeting - First-meeting support on request - Rapid scans (1-2 weeks) - Deeper searches (3-6 weeks) depending on scope --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/podcasts ### Title: Podcasts ### Page ID: 8213478 ### Content: # Podcast Services ## Check out my platform for my podcast productions ## My experience - your successful podcasts ##### Want to hear more? Reach out! I have spent more than 3 years publishing weekly episodes on The Grant Podcast. And there is always important content to discuss. I have developed and produced many sorts of formats including guest episodes, panel episodes, thematic series, one-episode EU project promotion episodes and EU project series. No matter what you want to share and promote with the world, I will tailor the podcast to your needs and consult you on best way to share your message. **Create your own podcast series** for your EU project. This is a nice way to add more depth to your EU project communication and dissemination strategy and to **get another level of outreach**. Proposal writers and Communication and Dissemination professionals know that it can be a real challenge to develop communication tools that both secure the target of sharing information about the project and adds depth and interesting angles about the project activities. A podcast can do exactly that - **Collaboration with the RM FRAMEWORK project. Click to explore** This is a **nice way to flag your EU project** and create some extra attention about your great work and results. Sometimes companies, universities and RTOs have the need for some special attention and outreach. A podcast as a great tool for that. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - Scoping of podcast series - Guest preparations - Podcast recordings - Editing and publishing - Hosting on podcast platform with connection to Spotify and Apple Podcast - Own curated website on The Grant platform - Tailored SoMe campaigns - Scoping of episode - Guest preparation - Podcast recording - Editing and publising - Hosting on podcast platform - Website on The Grant platform - Promoting **your services** - Attention for an **event** - **EU funding capacities** promotion - Promotion of reports, analysis and position papers. --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/198 ### Title: #198 ### Page ID: 8214222 ### Content: ##### #198 FP10 Briefing with Science|Business In this episode I sit down with Science|Business editors Goda Naujokaitytė and Florin Zubascu to cut through the noise on FP10 (Framework Programme 10)—from the Commission’s proposal to double down on research funding to how Pillar II is planned to be “self-standing, but tightly connected” to the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). We talk numbers, the leaked “competitiveness fund” concept, and what “joint programming” could mean in practice for work programmes under the ECF policy windows (clean transition, health/biotech, digital/space/defence). We also look at the gaps in the text that Council and Parliament will press the Commission to clarify. We then zoom in on the politics: the ERC presidency term idea that raised eyebrows, the MSCA community’s push for stability, and the recurring balance between bottom-up excellence and top-down competitiveness. Finally, we set expectations for the multi-annual budget (MFF) haggle, why research often becomes a bargaining chip against agriculture/cohesion, and what a realistic outcome might look like versus today’s proposal—plus what the research community should watch over the next 6–12 months. If you advise, apply or coordinate in Horizon Europe today, this is your primer on the road to FP10 in 2028. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/podcasts-how-it-works ### Title: Podcasts - how it works ### Page ID: 8230692 ### Content: ### Your starting point ### Unique Selling Points # The steps towards your project podcast ### Step 1 - Introducing your podcast idea ### Step 2 - Draft podcast concept and approach ### Step 3 - Settling the final podcast concept ### Step 4 - Preparation of recordings and website ### Step 5 - Recording and editing ### Step 6 - Release and promotion ##### Want to hear more? Reach out! ## My experience - your successful podcasts ## Check out my platform for my podcast productions **The Grant is born out of knowledge and expertise about EU funding.** I have worked with EU funding **since 2008** and have a build up a big backpack of experience and capacities within this area. I have **been a project manager and proposal writer myself** and I have been **responsible for communication and dissemination** in a number of proposals and projects. I know the struggle of making a blast of a communication and dissemination **concept that swipes the evaluators off their feet.** I know the struggle of **getting attention when the project rolls**. You are either **preparing a proposal** for an upcoming call or you are already **implementing a project** that has been funded. You **want to add a podcast** to your communication strategy, but you are not sure how to attack this task. You might actually have done a podcast in another project, but **you know that the work is much more than just hitting the record button**. You think creating **a sound universe for your project will make it truly special.** Building up a podcast from scratch is rough and hard. 90% of all podcasts die before episode number 10. **The Grant is THE podcast within EU funding** with weekly episodes since May 2022 - every single Monday. With The Grant you therefore connect with an established listener base between **500-700 per month**. This means that **you are both secured outreach from day 1** and secured a broader outreach to a listener segment that understands your content. **3\. I have 17 years of experience with EU funding and projects** I know what this is all about. My content angle and hosting approach is based on all this knowledge which means you got a podcast professional and podcast conversation partner that knows what you are talking about. We sit down for an online meeting where you share your ideas and what you want to share with the audience including: I share also **the subcontrating formalities and contract elements.** Based on the first meeting we agree how to develop a draft podcast concept either for one episode or for a podcast series. We agree on the final concept and service elements. **If you are writing a proposal**, I will forward a draft text for the application if you request this and adjust if need be. Subcontracting conditions and remuneration for the service is agreed and will be used only in case the proposal is funded. **If you are implementing a project** we can move on to the next steps. **The subcontracting formalities are settled at this stage including signing of contract before moving to the next step** Preparation for the agreed recordings. Pre-recording meetings with guests dressing them for the content discussion and the technical logistics. Recording dates are settled with guests A dedicated website for the project podcast is established at thegrant.eu. The website layout will be agreed with the relevant project representative. Click to see example: **Editing of the recordings** into The Grant sound universe Draft **graphical layout of promotion material** forwarded for approval The **episode is launched** at the agreed release date on The Grant podcast hosting platform. **The Grant has 500-700 listeners per month.** The episode is **promoted on The Grant LinkedIn channel** with graphical layout agreed. Niels Tudor-Vinther and The Grant has more than 6000 followers on LinkedIn. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - You only have to think about what kind of content you want. You don't have to suddenly become a podcast professional - I take care of - podcast webhosting to all podcast platforms - full podcast concept development - technical logistics - guest preparation - recording logistics - hosting of episodes - professional editing - website landing page on The Grant platform - graphical layout - LinkedIn promotion via graphical videos with sound snips - Your target and needs that the podcast should support - Angle of the podcast - Number of episodes - Guest shows and who to invite - Panels - Duration of episodes - Connection with the different work packages - You share in writing your preferred approach - I develop a content outline of the episode(s) including focus in each episode. - Collaboration conditions are exchanged including the service elements from The Grant, for instance: - Pre-recording preparation - Recording - Editing - Podcast hosting - Website platform hosting - SoMe marketing and promotion --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm3 ### Title: RM3 ### Page ID: 8262150 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (3): The Ecosystem of Research Management ### The Research Management Ecosystem – roles, skills and the path to training In this third podcast episode in the RM Framework Series, I speak with Frank Ziegele (CHE - Higher Education Management and Policy) and Henning Rickelt (Center for Science & Research Management) about the European research management ecosystem. What it is, how it evolved, and why it’s so diverse across countries and institutions. We unpack the drivers developing the ecosystem: rising funding complexity, cross-border collaboration, new expectations around open science and knowledge valorisation, and the widening set of cross-cutting requirements (data, ethics, gender, integrity). We also discuss institutional vs. societal impact: How effective research management increases success rates, speeds translation, and strengthens innovation, even if its value is still under-recognised in many places. Building on recent EU work, the guests explain RMcomp, the research management competence framework formally taken up by the European Commission, with proficiency levels RM1–RM4 and learning outcomes that map to real job profiles. We explore the project’s ambition for an interoperable European training market, inspired by Bologna-style modularity and credits, and how the upcoming training handbook will act as a process guide - not a one-size curriculum - so providers can design programmes tailored to roles, contexts and levels. Finally, we touch on pilot testing, recognition challenges (especially in smaller institutions), and why professionalising research management is about making expectations explicit and skills transparent across Europe. 00:35:26 How the RM Framework project builds on this - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/199 ### Title: #199 ### Page ID: 8288409 ### Content: ##### #199 Finding the Partners In this solo episode, I share my approach to **find the right partners for EU proposals -** whether you’re building a consortium from scratch, filling gaps in a value chain, or replacing a partner at short notice. I set the scene (coordinator vs partner roles, defining the needed organisation type and budget) and then walk through the **sources that actually yield results**: your network, **CORDIS** (projects and call topics), **project websites**, organisations’ own pages, **old brokerage/matchmaking sites** (e.g., B2Match) and **LinkedIn -** plus when in-person brokerage is worth the trip. From there, I explain **how to work the funnel**: start broad in CORDIS and brokerage sites, shortlist by relevance, and **log everything in your own Excel sheet** (projects, partners, abstracts, and notes). I cover **contact identification** (why brokerage profiles are gold, how to hunt via project pages, Google and LinkedIn), **outreach strategies** (why a quick phone call beats a cold email, how to write concise value-led emails, the realities of LinkedIn messaging), and **data hygiene** (GDPR, avoiding personal data in AI tools, and using abstracts/keywords with ChatGPT to speed analysis). The toughest challenge? Keeping the overview. I show how to build a reusable pipeline so your partner search becomes faster, cleaner and repeatable. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/200 ### Title: #200 ### Page ID: 8337041 ### Content: ##### 200th Anniversary Episode For the 200th episode I recorded live at a Brussels meetup, joined by Angela (Executive Director, Aspire—private partner of Processes4Planet) and Thomas Brent (Communications, CERN; formerly Science|Business). We reflect on what the podcast has meant to guests and listeners, why long-form audio creates space to explain complex work, and the human side of EU projects—the stress cycles, post-submission crashes and the value of honest conversations the community rarely has in public. We also look back on the Widening mini-series and why bringing diverse voices together matters. Then we turn to the road ahead: industrial competitiveness and the case for being bolder in Europe—supporting scale-up to TRL 8, enabling CAPEX, and reducing fragmentation across national schemes. We debate simplification vs. lump sums, the reality that AI will raise proposal volumes, and why unity of approach beats 27 parallel systems. Finally, I share the backstory of starting The Grant and why I’m building a community first, alongside new services like proposal scouting to help teams find credible consortia fast. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/201-202 ### Title: #201 & #202 ### Page ID: 8394517 ### Content: ##### #201 & #202 IP in Projects - The Implementation Series (14 & 15) **Part 1 – Consortium agreement, background & “normal” IP work (Episode 201)** In Part 1, we focus on the IP work you should do before anything goes wrong. We look at the consortium agreement as the real operating manual, how to make Attachment 1 (background) specific and transparent (including restrictions), and how access rights work for both implementation and exploitation. We also dig into everyday issues: timing patents vs publications, defining “active contribution” when several partners co-create results, and the role of an IP manager in documenting contributions and expectations as the project evolves. We round off with typical flashpoints and how to avoid them: unclear background licensing, partners leaving or even going bankrupt, joint ownership without a plan, and disputes that escalate to mediation or arbitration. The message is clear: run regular IP check-ins, log contributions, assess novelty and commercial potential before fighting, and negotiate post-project access under fair and reasonable conditions early. **Part 2 – Conflicts, AI & damage control (Episode 202)** In Part 2, we stay with IP – but shift to what happens when reality doesn’t match the grant. We look at ownership claims, blocking patents and results that no one really planned for, and ask what “damage control” looks like in real projects. We also tackle AI-generated outputs and prompts: when (and how) can you claim ownership, and how can a consortium recognise those claims fairly as law and practice evolve? From there we move into concrete tools for coordinators and partners: using lab notebooks, photos and minutes as ownership evidence; bringing in neutral IP support and the EU IPR Helpdesk for SMEs; and putting business models on the table before sprinting to the patent office. We discuss licensing and partnerships when existing patents block you, and how to distinguish “must-protect” results from nice-to-have IP so you don’t waste energy on battles that lead nowhere. **Connect with Juan Luis Rodrigues Quintero on LinkedIn** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm4 ### Title: RM4 ### Page ID: 8444132 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (4): The Handbook Concept ### The RM Training Handbook – from competences to programmes In this 4th episode in the **RM Framework Series**, I finally zoom in on the piece we’ve been circling for a while: the **handbook for research management training providers**. I’m joined by **Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele** and **Niklas Rauterberg** from the CHE Centre for Higher Education, who lead the work on the handbook within the Horizon Europe **RM Framework** project – an initiative that aims to build a European qualification system and quality label for research management training across the European Research Area. Together we unfold what the handbook actually is: a competence-based process guide rather than a fixed curriculum. We talk through the **Programme Development Guide** (a structured checklist from programme idea to implementation and revision) and the **Curricular Component Method**, which clusters the massive RMComp Framework and earlier RM Roadmap work into usable competence sets for real trainings. You’ll hear how training providers can use guiding questions, examples and mapped competence lists to design or upgrade programmes, how “stackability” and interoperability across countries could work in practice, and why the handbook is being built as a **living document** that can evolve with AI, new roles and changing RM practice. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/aau-missions ### Title: AAU Missions ### Page ID: 8491995 ### Content: **Aalborg Universitet** har de seneste år truffet et klart valg: AAU vil arbejde missionsdrevet. Det betyder, at universitetet samler kræfterne om udvalgte missioner, hvor store samfundsudfordringer oversættes til konkrete mål, indsatser og samarbejder på tværs af fagmiljøer. Med et dedikeret missionssekretariat, nye tværgående strukturer og tættere partnerskaber med kommuner, virksomheder, NGO’er og myndigheder er fokus flyttet fra enkeltstående projekter til en mere samlet tilgang til forskning, uddannelse og samarbejde. Det er udgangspunktet for denne episode af The Grant Collaborations, som er produceret i samarbejde med Aalborg Universitet. Til at folde den missionsdrevne tilgang ud har jeg tre stærke gæster ombord: **Frede Blaabjerg**, professor på AAU Energi og formand for Danmarks Forsknings- og Innovationspolitiske Råd, **Niels Bech Lukassen**, afdelingschef ved Missionssekretariatet og **Paw V. Mortensen**, Energy Mission Officer, som tilsammen repræsenterer tre vinkler på missionsdreven forskning og innovation på AAU: den strategiske og forskningsfaglige, den ledelses- og organisationsnære – og den meget praktiske hverdag tæt på kommuner og virksomheder. Sammen folder vi den grundlæggende præmis ud: hvorfor taler vi om missioner lige nu, og hvordan hænger det sammen med AAU’s strategi og værdier? Vi går bag om begrebet “missionsdreven”: Hvad adskiller det fra “bare” at lave gode projekter? Hvordan tager man afsæt i konkrete samfundsudfordringer og samtidig værner om faglighed og nysgerrighed? Og hvad betyder det for den måde, vi formulerer forskningsspørgsmål, tilrettelægger undervisning og indgår samarbejder på – på tværs af institutter, fakulteter og eksterne partnere? Undervejs bliver det meget konkret. Gæsterne deler eksempler på missionsdreven forskning på AAU – bl.a. samarbejder med kommuner, virksomheder og sektorer, hvor universitetet ikke kun leverer viden, men indgår som medspiller i langvarige forløb. Vi taler om nye roller for forskere, projektledere og støttefunktioner, om behovet for at koordinere på tværs, og om hvordan seed funding og projektporteføljer kan bruges som værktøjer til at samle kræfterne om nogle få, tydelige missioner. Til sidst ser vi fremad: Hvad har AAU lært indtil nu i arbejdet med missioner? Hvilke barrierer står tilbage – og hvad har faktisk overrasket positivt? Og ikke mindst: hvad kan du gøre allerede nu, hvis du er nysgerrig på missionsdreven forskning og innovation? Episoden er tænkt som en invitation til at se sig selv som del af AAU’s missioner – uanset om du sidder i laboratoriet, i undervisningen, i administrationen eller med samarbejdspartnere uden for universitetet. 00:25:29 Hvordan ser missionsdrevet forskning ud i praksis? 00:59:10 Hvad kan vi lære af erfaringerne indtil nu? **Mission - Improved Wellbeing among Children and Youth** **Mission - Improving Health through Coherence and Individualisation** **Kunne du også godt tænke dig at lave en podcast til at skabe opmærksomhed om jeres forskning og innovation?** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/podcast-hub ### Title: Podcast Hub ### Page ID: 8494727 ### Content: ##### Podcast Hub Here you will find other podcasts on EU R&D funding. The hub will not only include podcasts in English. Not all podcasts on the hub will be exclusively podcasts on EU funding, but will also include podcasts that touch upon other elements within R&DI. Italian-languaged podcast created and hosted by the wonderful Ilaria Rudisi. She has created a great podcast which already has a gained a lot of attention in Italy. If you speak Italian this is surely a podcast to tap into. The podcast runs in seasons with 8 episodes per season. This a Slovak-languaged podcast hosted by the great Tomas Pavlik. The podcast has interview episode releases every second week and every other week he is releasing short EU funding news episodes. If you are so lucky to speak Slovak you are surely in for a treat. An exploration of diversity in research management and international research collaborations. Jakob Feldtfos Christensen and Lachlan Stephen-Smith cover how to make research environments more inclusive and why doing this helps to solve global challenges through research. The podcast covers regularly the EU funding area. Danish-languaged podcast created and funded by the Danish NCP-organisation EuroCenter (Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science ). Focus is on informing about accessing Horizon Europe and highlight concrete projects funded. The podcast runs in seasons with 3 episodes per season. Welcome to The Insider, a podcast offering an in-depth look at EU Research and Innovation (R&I), hosted by Ricardo Migueis. The podcast features two formats: The Insider Roundup (bi-weekly, Tuesdays), providing concise updates on trends, policies, and discussions in the EU R&I sector. The Insider Interview, delivering in-depth analyses of policies, books, and themes through conversations with experts, helping you understand the systems shaping EU science and technology.Designed for anyone passionate about R&I, this podcast keeps you informed and engaged. “InnovationCast by RTDS” explores the pivotal role of EU funding in getting your research from the lab to the market. Tune in to gather insights from our experts on how to succeed in Horizon Europe grant writing, listen to best practices from EU R&I projects and find out what you need to embark on the EU funding journey. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/203 ### Title: #203 ### Page ID: 8503178 ### Content: ##### #203 Erasmus+ at Breaking Point - An Overloaded System ## Erasmus+ Rising Proposals, Falling Success Rates In episode #203 of The Grant I sit down with Roberto Zanon (co-director of Solvere) to unpack what’s really happening behind Erasmus+ success rates. Roberto has gone through national agency and centralised call statistics and the pattern is clear: in just a few years, success rates have dropped dramatically, with some calls now in single digits and flagship VET actions projected around 5%. We explore why it’s suddenly so much harder to get funded — from NGO sustainability crises and “proposal business models” to Covid-era online consortia and the explosion of AI-assisted writing. We then look at the consequences for everyone using Erasmus+: overwhelmed national agencies, underpaid evaluators, inconsistent assessments that can feel like a lottery, and growing inequality between countries with very different capacities and success rates. Finally we ask what could be done differently: better training for evaluators in logical framework/theory of change, smarter and consistent use of AI on the evaluation side, more flexible programme management (including caps, two-stage calls and real stakeholder dialogue) — and why well-motivated, grounded projects still stand a better chance than purely money-driven ones. [**Link to The Grant Erasmus+ category with more episodes on Erasmus+**](https://www.thegrant.eu/the-timeline-series) - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/204-206 ### Title: #204-206 ### Page ID: 8523434 ### Content: #### Do you have a question for us on the call text analysis? Reach out #### Do you have a question for us on the canvas model? Reach out In this first episode of this three-part **Idea Development Workshop** mini-series, I sit down with **Ana-Marija Špicnagel** (IPS Konzalting) to take the time to read and analyse a Horizon Europe call text, line by line. Using an old Horizon Europe Mission Soil call on harnessing soil biodiversity as a case, we look at where to start (budget, number of projects, type of action and co-funding rules), what grants to third parties actually mean for your consortium design, and how the call connects to wider EU strategies like Farm to Fork, the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the SDGs. From there we dig into the heart of the text: expected outcomes, scope and proposed activities. We explain why the “small words” matter (“must”, “need”, “should”, “may”), how to tell which bullets are truly mandatory, and why you need to keep re-reading the call while you build your idea. We also touch on mandatory multi-actor approaches, links to sister projects and EU platforms, and why exploitation and real-world testing (demo sites, living labs, farmers in boots) are no longer optional extras but built into how Horizon Europe defines success.  In this **second episode** of the Idea Development Workshop mini-series, I’m back with Ana-Marija Špicnagel (IPS Konzalting) for an episode where Ana will share the and explain the canvas model she is using for idea development. Instead of jumping straight from call text to work packages, we use Bird View to capture the essence of a case: internal and external challenges, opportunities that sound like a project, the unique selling proposition, the main “customers and channels” (users, beneficiaries, multipliers) and what a viable future could look like in terms of sustainability and revenue streams. On slide 9 of the presentation, you can see the clean Bird View canvas with its three zones: Challenges of today, Sounds like opportunity and Future, each with guiding questions. We then move from the blank canvas to a real example: messy handwritten Bird View notes on paper (slide 10), followed by a more structured map where emerging work package ideas are sketched around the central concept (slide 11). This shows how Bird View helps you move from scattered thoughts to a coherent project model that still fits the call analysed in episode 1. Along the way we discuss who to involve in a Bird View session, how to keep the conversation grounded in the call’s expected outcomes and scope, and how the tool makes it easier to discuss business logic, exploitation and long-term collaboration with partners – before anyone opens the Part B template. In the third and final episode of the Idea Development workshop series, I’m joined by Ana-Marija Špicnagel (IPS Konzalting) to do what the slide deck simply calls “BUILD THE PROJECT SPINE”. We take the work from episodes 1 and 2 – the call analysis and the Bird View canvas – and turn it into a first, stripped-down structure of the project: core objectives, main results, the big work package lines and which types of partners need to sit where. The project spine is the minimal logical structure you need to be sure that your idea actually fits the call and can be implemented in the real world. Together we talk through how to translate Bird View clusters into work strands, how to link each strand back to specific expected outcomes, and how to avoid the classic “Christmas tree proposal” where everyone hangs their favourite ornament on top. We also discuss sequencing (what genuinely needs to happen first), where coordination, evaluation and impact work should live, and how to use the spine as a reality check for budget, workload and consortium composition. By the end of the episode you have a project spine that can be shown to management and potential partners – and that can grow into a full Part B without losing its logic. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/207 ### Title: #207 ### Page ID: 8660413 ### Content: ##### #207 Supporting Postdoctoral Fellowships In this episode I’m joined by Svenja Talv and Martina May from the EU Research Office at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) to look inside how a small, two-person pre-award team supports EU funding. Martina tells the story of how FAU first decided to create a central EU office and how she started out alone before Svenja joined as an EU liaison officer. Together they defined a clear mandate – more and better EU proposals – and spent their first months on internal networking: mapping who does what across post-award, ethics, export control, open science, data management, graduate services and the faculty-level research support structures, and then going on a long “information tour” so researchers would actually know they exist. From there we zoom in on Postdoctoral Fellowships. Svenja and Martina explain why this funding scheme became such a focus: demand from early-career researchers is huge, but competition is exploding – with applications jumping from around 10,000 to 17,000 and budgets slightly decreasing, success rates are getting painfully low. They describe how they teamed up with a German national support organisation offering a Postdoctoral Fellowship Masterclass, invited potential applicants via supervisors, and brought postdocs from all over the world together online. The workshop covers tricky parts of the template and evaluation logic, while the FAU team backs it up with structured proposal review, regular check-ins and clear internal deadlines. We also discuss the emotional side of supporting postdocs in such a tough scheme, and how Svenja and Martina try to balance day-to-day proposal work with longer-term capacity building for the whole university. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/208 ### Title: #208 ### Page ID: 8699127 ### Content: ##### #208 The SET Plan and EU Funding ## The SET Plan & EU Funding – Inside the Machine Room n episode **#208 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I’m joined by **Eric Lecomte** from the European Commission’s **DG Energy** to open the “machine room” behind EU energy research and innovation. Eric brings a rare mix of 19 years in industry and a long career in the Commission, moving from DG Research & Innovation to DG Energy where he now works on energy technology R&I and the **Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan**. We talk through the origins of the SET Plan (launched in 2007, revamped in 2015 as the R&I pillar of the Energy Union) and how it connects to the European Green Deal, the Net-Zero Industry Act, the Draghi report and the Clean Industrial Deal. The core idea: align national and European R&I priorities so we don’t have 27 parallel energy strategies competing with each other. Eric explains the **governance and structure**: a steering group plus 14 Implementation Working Groups covering renewables, energy systems and grids, efficiency in buildings and industry, transport, carbon capture and nuclear. In his own industry group, members range from ministries and funding agencies to industrial associations (steel, paper, cement, chemicals, heat pumps) and the European Energy Research Alliance. Together they co-develop **Implementation Plans** with concrete targets and R&I activities, which are then picked up in **Horizon Europe work programmes (Cluster 5)**, the **LIFE programme**, the **Innovation Fund** and national R&I schemes. We dive into concrete examples: industrial heat pumps and waste heat recovery topics in Horizon Europe, a LIFE call replicating cooperation between the paper and heat pump sectors into the food & drink industry (“Exquisite Heat”), and how the Innovation Fund supports first-of-a-kind projects like the HYBRIT green steel plant in Sweden. We end on challenges: mobilising national funding, avoiding duplication, Europe’s fear of failure – and how the new SET Plan governance aims to push towards real market uptake and manufacturing of clean energy technologies in Europe.  00:23:16 The role of the SET Plan in funding and competitiveness - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/209 ### Title: #209 ### Page ID: 8714696 ### Content: ##### #209 Well-being of Project Managers ## Well-being of Project Managers – with Allesandro Carbone In this episode I have **Alessandro Carbone** in the virtual podcast studio to talk about something that lies close to my heart: the **well-being of project managers**. We look at what happens when you’re the one holding deadlines, budgets, partners, reporting, emails and internal expectations together – and why so many project managers in EU-funded projects slowly slide into stress, overload or quiet burnout. During the conversation we unpack typical pressure points: “always-on” communication, unclear roles, constant urgency around calls and deliverables, and the emotional work of being the buffer between funders, partners and your own organisation. From there we move into what can actually help: setting boundaries without dropping the ball, being honest about capacity instead of “hero managing”, and building team habits that make the work more sustainable – check-ins, shared ownership, realistic risk management and explicit support from leadership. We also talk about the mindset side: why saying no is often an act of care for the project, how perfectionism plays out in grant work, and what project managers themselves can do (and cannot do) to protect their mental health. The episode is an invitation to treat well-being as an integral part of professional project management, not an optional luxury. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm5 ### Title: #RM5 ### Page ID: 8715276 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (5): The Pilot Concept ## Pilot Testing the Handbook In the 5th episode of the RM Framework Series, I’m joined by Marcos Gomes, Research and Innovation Manager at the University of Coimbra, to focus on what he calls the “central engine” of the project: pilot testing. Marcos co-leads Work Package 3 on pilots and explains why the consortium deliberately made pilot testing a core activity and not a late-stage tick-box exercise. The RM Framework builds on predecessors like RM Roadmap and RMcomp which mapped needs, roles and competences – but mapping is only the starting point. To make the new handbook for research management training providers interoperable and genuinely useful across Europe, it has to be tested in real training design and delivery. Pilot testing is how the project validates clarity, spots ambiguities and gaps, and sees where different national and institutional contexts demand adaptation. We then zoom into how the pilot concept works in practice. Marcos describes a deliberately diverse first wave of pilot testers: three universities (Technical University of Madrid, Corvinus University of Budapest and the University of Milano-Bicocca), a regional funding agency for university and research grants in Catalonia, and a professional association (NARMA – the Norwegian Association of Research Managers). Together they cover pre- and post-award, research infrastructures, innovation and business development, open science, data stewardship and different seniority levels – from junior staff to leaders. Each pilot receives the draft handbook plus a guiding document with structured prompts. They are not asked to change their courses to fit the handbook; instead they use it to “rebuild” existing programmes on paper, keep a learning diary of what works and doesn’t, and feed this back through follow-up meetings. The goal: a living, evolving handbook built with established training providers and trainees, focused on learning rather than compliance, and capable of reflecting local nuances while still offering a shared European language for research management careers. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe "Podcast Universe") - [Collaborations](/collaborations "Collaborations") - [Services](/services "Services") - [Hub](/hub "Hub") - [About](/about "About") --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/210 ### Title: #210 ### Page ID: 8774726 ### Content: ##### #210 Proposal Writing in Small Organisations ## Erasmus+ in Small Organisations – Capacity, Projects & People In this episode I have Chiara Liguori in the virtual podcast studio for a talk about what Erasmus+ proposal writing and project management really looks like from inside a tiny youth NGO in Brussels. Chiara shares her journey from intern to the person drafting and managing Erasmus+ grants in an office of just two staff and a rotating board of volunteers. We talk about the “capacity myth” built into some parts of the programme – long and technical forms, assumptions about trained staff and internal systems – versus the reality of small organisations where one or two people juggle proposal writing, budgeting, implementation and reporting on top of everything else the organisation has to do. From there we follow the full life cycle: learning proposal writing the hard way (googling terms, taking courses, recycling old applications), dealing with framework partnership agreements, and what happens after you win – when the joy of getting funded quickly becomes a daily balancing act between project delivery and administrative compliance. Chiara shares very concrete habits that helped: treating compliance as a routine rather than a last-minute panic, using simple tools like a big office calendar and a live Excel tracker for activities and metrics, and documenting as you go to protect institutional memory when staff or volunteers change. We end on the human impact: long hours, stacked deadlines, Brussels working culture, burnout risk – but also the meaning, skills and empowerment that come from “wearing multiple hats” in a small, mission-driven organisation. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/211 ### Title: #211 ### Page ID: 8824912 ### Content: ##### #211 Micro-credentials in Erasmus+ ## Micro-credentials in Erasmus+ – Concept, Policy & Practice In this episode I am joined again by **Daiana Huber** (“the Erasmus+ grant writer”) and **Samuel Bogdan** (“the digital guy”) to unpack one of the most confusing buzzwords in today’s Erasmus+ universe: **micro-credentials**. We start from the beginning: what a credential actually *is* (an artifact, a proof, a digital or non-digital object that represents an internal learning process) and why micro-credentials are *not* a learning activity, a seminar, a participation certificate or a mini-diploma. Daiana walks through the pedagogy behind the concept – competence as the combination of **knowledge, skills and attitudes**, learning outcomes as the expression of that competence, and microcredentials as containers that only make sense when you can clearly describe what a learner can do, in which context, and with what evidence. From there we place microcredentials in the **EU policy** landscape: Year of Skills, Union of Skills, DG EMPL, portability of skills and the European Digital Credentials infrastructure. We look at what this means for **grant writing** (especially in Erasmus+): when it actually makes sense to include microcredentials in a proposal, which partners and roles you need (pedagogical, technical, quality), why you must avoid mixing them with accreditation/qualification, and how to design work packages so microcredentials are embedded in competence frameworks, curricula, learning experiences and assessment – not bolted on at the end. Finally, Sami shares the implementation journey: months of reading pedagogy and policy, playing in the **European Digital Credential Issuer** sandbox, defining issuer/assessor/QA roles, and the simple truth that nobody will tell you exactly how to do this – you have to experiment, document and learn as you go. **Link to the Commission's site for micro-credentials** - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/212 ### Title: #212 ### Page ID: 8881849 ### Content: ##### #212 Juniors in Research Management In episode **#212 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I sit down with Marina Kliuchko to zoom in on a group we talk too little about: **juniors in research management and support**. Marina’s background is anything but light: a degree in biology, a PhD in psychology doing brain science, several postdocs and large collaborative projects across countries and labs. At some point, she realised the classical path – getting your own research team, writing grants to keep yourself and “poor young souls” funded, living with constant uncertainty – simply didn’t feel like *her* destination, even though on paper she was doing well. That realisation came with self-doubt (“am I not scientific enough?”), identity questions and the uncomfortable feeling of stepping off a ladder everyone around her still seemed to be climbing. From there the episode follows Marina’s **move from doing research to supporting research**: why a support role fits her personality better, how she enjoys turning others’ ideas into concrete plans, and why she sees well-designed administrative positions as a sign that an institution is doing something right. We talk about the job market reality for juniors trying to enter research management (“we’re afraid you’ll be bored”, “how do we know you won’t run back to research?”), the loneliness and imposter feelings that can follow, and the slow process of discovering and naming her own skills – organisation, problem-solving, seeing how projects fit together. Along the way, Marina shares what helped: soft-skills and entrepreneurship bootcamps, mentoring, trying out funding strategy work, and eventually working with a career consultant who helped her turn a vague wish (“maybe research support?”) into a confident narrative about what she actually brings to the table. 03:42 Why leave research? The moment of realisation 18:59 Being young, experienced, and stuck in between 35:11 The job market reality for junior research managers - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/213 ### Title: #213 ### Page ID: 8918454 ### Content: ##### #213 From Innovation to Real Impact: Why EU Projects Struggle to be Adopted ## Impact in EU Projects – From Innovation Theatre to Adoption In episode **#213 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I’m joined by **Jorge Gonzalez**, director of ticbiomed, to tackle a very old problem with fresh honesty: **why so many EU projects deliver results that nobody adopts**. Drawing on 16 years of work in more than 20 projects – many of them cascade funding schemes in digital health – Jorge describes the pattern: strong pilots, motivated clinicians and companies, successful technical results… and then nothing. No procurement, no deployment, just a slide into the valley of death. He argues this is not only a waste of public money, but actively harms innovation culture, especially in public organisations: healthcare professionals invest evenings, weekends and passion into projects, only to be told at the end that there is no budget or plan to actually use what was built. From there we move into **structural reasons and levers for change**. On the public side, innovation units join consortia because that’s their “business model”, often without strong alignment with management, budgets or real business owners. On the company side, R&I departments treat projects as well-paid contract work disconnected from product strategy. On the funding side, generous EU programmes, prescriptive call texts and vague impact selection criteria all push towards “innovation theatre” and **Frankenstein consortia** that exist to win calls rather than deploy solutions. Jorge shares his **Impactful Innovation** initiative, including policy papers and a conference in Murcia, and explains why he’s lobbying in Brussels for simple but powerful changes: selection criteria that reward credible adoption governance and budget commitments, project officers who follow up on exploitation during and after projects, and visible recognition for consortia that actually manage to deploy solutions at scale.  - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/214 ### Title: #214 ### Page ID: 8954920 ### Content: ##### #214 Cleantech in Central & Eastern Europe - Funding Reality & Gaps In this week's episode I’m joined by **Nina Meglič**, director of **ACT-SI – Association CleanTech Slovenia**, project manager at a deep tech spin-out from the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana, and part of the national contact point team for the **STEP platform** on strategic technologies. Nina works right where clean tech, EU funding and policy meet: helping build the Slovenian clean tech ecosystem, coordinating EU projects and supporting companies and policymakers. We start with the big picture: structural differences between Western and Central Eastern Europe, and how they show up very clearly in clean tech deployment, infrastructure, investor attitudes and the ability to decarbonise. EU grants – Horizon Europe, cohesion, the Innovation Fund, Just Transition – are absolutely central to R&D in Slovenia, but their design and the way projects are selected often put the region at a disadvantage. Nina walks through the Innovation Fund example, where Slovenia has only one funded project so far, and describes how complexity, lack of CCS infrastructure and missing national reforms make companies hesitate even to apply. From there we zoom in on **competition, AI and shifting priorities**. Proposal numbers are exploding as AI speeds up writing; at the same time, Nina sees traces of AI in evaluation summary reports – sometimes with comments that clearly do not fit the technology. Budgets per project are shrinking, consortia are getting bigger, and access to powerful European partnerships is limited by high membership fees that small CEE organisations can’t afford. We talk about the structure of the Slovenian economy (99% SMEs), the lack of deep tech support infrastructure, and why investors often tell her spin-out “if you were in Germany, you’d be funded already”. Nina argues that cohesion and widening measures have helped but not fixed the divide, and calls for the next financial framework to acknowledge a **two-speed Europe** and adjust instruments accordingly – from widening for companies and policymakers to tougher trade rules and strategic support for raw materials and industrial capacity. The episode ends on a very human note: the undervalued, underfunded work of associations like ACT-SI, and why she still keeps going. 33:49 Shifting EU priorities: defence, security, and AI 40:58 Impact on companies and innovation ecosystems - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm6 ### Title: RM6 ### Page ID: 8957508 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (6): The NARMA Pilot In the sixth episode of the **RM Framework Series**, I’m joined by **Nicole Elgueta Silva** and **Hiwa Målen** from NARMA to zoom in on one of the project’s most developed pilots: the **Norwegian national training programme for research managers**. NARMA has been running a capacity-building programme since 2017, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, with three levels – entry/intermediate, advanced and a management seminar – and participants from universities, university colleges and research institutes across the country. The focus is strongly on soft skills, best practice, reflection and networking, and while the courses do not formally carry ECTS, they are designed with an ECTS-like scope and structure in mind. Nicole and Hiwa explain how this mature programme is now being used as a **pilot site for the RM Framework handbook and quality label**. Having followed earlier European initiatives such as ERA Action 17, RM Roadmap and RMcomp from the beginning, they’ve been informally aligning their content for years; the RM Framework handbook now offers a structured way to check that alignment, identify gaps (for example around assessment and formal certification) and think about interoperability – can someone who trained in Norway have their skills recognised elsewhere in Europe? The episode also unpacks how the future **quality label** will work as a structured self-assessment and peer-recognised “stamp” on training programmes, and why this matters for the professionalisation and visibility of research management as a career across the European Research Area. 09:08 Approaching the Pilot: Reviewing the Handbook - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/pno-italy ### Title: PNO Italy ### Page ID: 8994063 ### Content: Transform visionary ideas into real impact by securing funding, - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enco ### Title: ENCO ### Page ID: 8994064 ### Content: **ENCO Srl** specializes in **consulting** and **project management services**, particularly in the context of European funding programs. In this scenario, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including identifying relevant funding opportunities, preparing applications, and managing projects once the funds are secured. ENCO’s expertise lies in helping organizations navigate complex EU funding programs, ensuring they meet the necessary criteria, and ultimately achieving success in securing financial support. ENCO is currently managing 28 R&I projects, acting as project coordinator and/or work package leader being responsible of all the activities related to communication, dissemination and exploitation. Additionally, ENCO actively fosters partnerships between different stakeholders, creating a collaborative network that enhances the impact of funded projects. By leveraging its extensive experience and broad network of contacts, ENCO helps businesses find the right partners to bring their innovative ideas to life. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/215 ### Title: #215 ### Page ID: 9008235 ### Content: ##### #215 Erasmus+ Therapy Session: Evaluation Results In episode **#215 of The Grant** I have invited three long-time Erasmus+ practitioners for what we ended up calling **“Erasmus+ Therapy”**. With **Henriette** **Hansen** from the South Denmark European Office, **Daiana** **Huber** (regular guest and Erasmus+ strategist) and **Alessandro Melillo** from Italy, we unpack the current “perfect storm” in the programme: record-high proposal numbers, newcomers policies, harsher evaluations and a community that feels like it’s doing everything right yet still crashing against the wall. We talk about what’s driving the surge – cuts in national funding, more actors turning to Erasmus+, AI making it easier to generate text – but also a deeper shift in how some national agencies and the European Commission seem to approach selection and “project factories”. From there, we move through **system-level and human-level consequences**. On the system side: over-stretched evaluators, opaque processes, newcomers being favoured in ways that may unintentionally lower quality, and the risk that trust in evaluations – the core of any funding system – starts to erode. On the human side: writers pouring months of work and emotion into strategic proposals, getting seals of excellence, but no funding, trying to explain repeated failure to long-term partners and teams, and feeling guilty for having become “too competent”. My guests share very personal stories of burnout, heartbreak, responsibility towards ecosystems they’ve built over 15–20 years, and still a deep love for Erasmus+ as a tool to shape public policy and European identity. The episode is both a group therapy session and a constructive call for more transparency, dialogue and shared problem-solving between practitioners, national agencies and the EU Commission. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/216 ### Title: #216 ### Page ID: 9048627 ### Content: ##### #216 Brilliant Research - Missed Funding w/**Eszter Ashlock-Kéthelyi, Laura Damiano and Miriam Boersema** ### Brilliant Research, Missed Funding – Why Strategy Matters Before Writing In this week's episode **of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I’m joined by **Eszter Ashlock-Kéthelyi, Laura Damiano and Miriam Boersema** from the **UMCG Grant Office** to talk about a problem many universities know all too well: **strong science, weak planning**. Their starting point is simple but powerful: many researchers do excellent work and still miss funding, not because the science is poor, but because the strategy around funding is reactive, fragmented and too late. At UMCG, this led the grant office to move beyond one-to-one support and build a broader training approach – the **Grant Navigator** series – designed to help researchers understand the funding landscape, think in longer timelines and act more strategically. What makes this episode especially useful is how concrete the UMCG team gets. They explain how they help researchers **zoom out**, define long-, mid- and short-term goals, look at their research story through an “x-ray” to identify the underlying building blocks of their work, and then group those into meaningful project sequences before matching them with grants. They also introduce a powerful distinction between **must-have** and **nice-to-have** grants, show why networking has to be part of funding strategy, and reflect on the challenge of scaling this work from individuals to departments and research lines. The result is a very practical conversation about how research support offices can move from reacting to calls to helping researchers build a real funding game plan. 04:40 The recurring problem: strong science, weak planning 22:33 From need to solution: introducing strategy-building - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/explain-science ### Title: Explain Science ### Page ID: 9072414 ### Content: #### With the Explain Science podcast concept The Grant is moving into science communication. #### So many great projects and proposal ideas are out there and in Explain Science I offer a space to get science geeky and fold out for my listeners the research and innovation that is carried out in EU funded projects ## Explain Science (1) ## EV Batteries and Life Cycle Assessment - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/pno-italy-1 ### Title: PNO Italy #1 ### Page ID: 9077726 ### Content: # PNO Innovation Series #### #1 Decarbonising Industry: The Story Behind the PYROCO2 Project ## From Proposal to Project – How PYROCO2 Moved into Reality **The Grant has established a collaboration with PNO Innovation Italy.** In the first episode of this **PNO Innovation Series**, I’m joined by **Francesca Di Bartolomeo** from **SINTEF** and **Anna Franciosini** from **PNO Innovation Italy** to unpack what happens between a successful proposal and a real running project. Using **PYROCO2** as the case, we go back to the start: a multidisciplinary base inside SINTEF, earlier national and collaborative projects, strong industrial networks and a shared ambition to push CO2 utilisation closer to industrial reality. Francesca explains how the project grew from years of work in biotechnology, process technology and chemistry, while Anna reflects on the proposal phase from the consultancy side: shaping the impact section, framing the broader European relevance and helping position the project in relation to market needs and the call topic. From there we move into implementation. PYROCO2 is not just about proving something on the bench; it is about **scaling up** and building a real demonstration environment. Francesca explains the project’s core idea in simple terms: taking CO2 as a waste stream and, through biotechnology and catalysis, turning it into a more valuable molecule that can feed future industrial processes. The consortium has now moved from smaller-scale work towards a large demonstration set-up, with a new lab under construction at SINTEF and 20-cubic-metre reactors planned as part of the technology scale-up. Anna then shows the other side of the story: how PNO works on dissemination, exploitation, replication, stakeholder mapping and technology intelligence so that the project’s results have a chance to live beyond the grant. Together, the episode becomes a practical conversation about proposal logic, consortium collaboration, industrial innovation and the long road from an excellent application to something that might actually matter in the real world. 13:38 From Proposal to Implementation – The Demonstration - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/217 ### Title: #217 ### Page ID: 9088758 ### Content: ##### #217 EU Funding in Municipalities - Supporting Sustainability In episode **#218 of The Grant,** I sit down with **Hanne Klintøe**, Head of PtX Development in **Aabenraa Municipality**, to explore what EU funding looks like when the goal is not just to win projects, but to **reshape a local economy**. Aabenraa is Denmark’s southernmost municipality, with a strong logistics position, port infrastructure, major energy assets and growing renewable energy capacity. Hanne explains how local politicians decided to use the green transition not as a slogan but as an economic development strategy: attracting investment in **Power-to-X**, integrating surplus heat into district heating, linking wastewater and technical water to hydrogen production, and building circular value chains across sectors like food, materials and energy. What makes this episode especially strong is that Hanne speaks from the real municipal frontline: limited staff, no standing project office, and constant trade-offs around time, strategy and risk. She shares how Aabenraa works with funding pragmatically — not by chasing every call, but by identifying very specific gaps that must be solved to unlock the next stage of development. That includes work with the **European Investment Bank’s advisory services** under the **Just Transition Fund**, collaboration around hydrogen ecosystems across Southern Denmark and Northern Germany, and applications around pyrolysis and infrastructure feasibility. What you will listen to is a grounded conversation about municipal strategy, green industry, infrastructure planning and how local authorities can use EU tools without drowning in them. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enco-1 ### Title: ENCO #1 ### Page ID: 9101591 ### Content: ##### #1 In Tune With Your Ideas: Our Role as European Projects Consultants In this first episode of the ENCO Series I have Antonietta Pizza, Head of EU Project Units at ENCO, in the virtual podcast studio for a talk about the craft of turning ideas into proposals. Antonietta has years of experience as proposal writer and she will guide you through the role of the organisation in transforming promising ideas into strong and competitive European project proposals. You will hear how ENCO supports companies in interpreting EU funding priorities, aligning innovative concepts with call objectives, expected impacts, and evaluation criteria, and balancing ambition with feasibility from the very beginning. The episode will walk you through the proposal development process, showing how ENCO contributes to idea refinement and writing process. Finally, through a success case, you will discover a concrete success story in which ENCO, acting as external proposal consultants, supported the writing and structuring of the proposal and helped turn it into a winning project. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enco-2 ### Title: ENCO #2 ### Page ID: 9101683 ### Content: ##### #2 Maximising Impact Through Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation In this episode**, Marco de la Feld**, ENCO’s General Director, and **Rosanna Buonfiglio,** Communication and Dissemination Consultant for several EU projects at ENCO, will show you why communication, dissemination and exploitation are far more than project obligations: they are what turn results into real visibility, engagement, and long-term value. You will discover how ENCO builds impactful communication and strategic outreach from the very start, identifying the right messages, channels, and target audiences to ensure project results resonate far beyond the consortium. The episode will also explore how exploitation strategies are developed through a go-to-market perspective, grounded in solid market knowledge and a clear understanding of the context in which project results can create value. Through the example of the **SYMBA Project**, you will also hear how ENCO’s support helped deliver strong outreach, active stakeholder engagement, and tangible visibility results. 10:37 Communication, dissemination and exploitation 23:54 Delivering communication in practice - the SYMBA case - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/enco-3 ### Title: ENCO #3 ### Page ID: 9101715 ### Content: ##### #3 Measuring What Matters: Sustainability, Value and Long-Term Impact In this episode, **Mirko Busto**, Sustainability Manager at ENCO, will show how sustainability assessment helps European projects move from promising ideas to informed, credible, and policy-relevant decisions. You will discover how sustainability-oriented assessment tools can support the evaluation of project results from multiple perspectives, helping to strengthen technical development and demonstrate value beyond innovation alone. Through the example of the **SEEDS Project**, which aims to revitalise ancient grain cultivation in the MENA region, you will see how ENCO’s expertise in sustainability assessment supported strategic choices, reinforced project outcomes, and contributed to long-term impact and replication potential. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/218 ### Title: #218 ### Page ID: 9136023 ### Content: ##### #218 Hydrogen Valleys - Large Scale Horizon w/Susanna Kupiainen ## Hydrogen Valleys – Building Cross-Border Hydrogen Value Chains In episode **#218** I’m joined by **Susanna Kupiainen** from **CLIC Innovation** in Finland to unpack one of the most ambitious concepts in the hydrogen field right now: **hydrogen valleys**. Susanna works on **BalticSeaH2**, an EU-funded large-scale cross-border hydrogen valley with its core between Finland and Estonia and seven connected valleys across the wider Baltic Sea region. We start with the basics: what a hydrogen valley actually is, why the concept has become such a flagship under the **Clean Hydrogen Partnership**, and how these valleys are designed to bring hydrogen production, transport and industrial end use close enough together to build real integrated value chains. What makes this episode especially valuable is that Susanna goes far beyond the concept and into the practical reality of implementation. She explains how BalticSeaH2 was built from existing Nordic networks into a 40-partner, 9-country proposal, why the consortium chose to include “connected valleys” from the very beginning rather than leave replication until the end, and what that has meant in practice for learning, social acceptance work and project governance. We also talk about delays, amendments, investment uncertainty, reporting pressure and the broader policy question hanging over all of this: how to create enough demand and the right market conditions for green hydrogen to move from promising projects into a real European hydrogen economy. 25:03 Replication From Day One – The Structural Innovation 49:40 Nordic Perspective: Security, Supply and Policy - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/219 ### Title: #219 ### Page ID: 9159087 ### Content: ##### #219 Erasmus+ Therapy Session: New Audit Regime In this episode I bring back the **Erasmus+ Therapy panel** — **Henriette Hansen**, **Daiana Huber** and **Alessandro Melillo** — to tackle a topic that has quietly become one of the most stressful in the programme: **audits**. The conversation starts from a shared feeling that the discourse around audits has changed. Instead of an approach based on good faith, learning and proportionality, my guests describe experiences of audits that feel driven by suspicion, where honesty about project difficulties can be turned against you and where the focus seems to fall overwhelmingly on finding errors rather than understanding whether a project delivered meaningful results. Henriette reflects on how the move to **lump sums** had initially sounded promising, because it suggested a stronger focus on quality and outputs rather than euro-cent accounting, but her first experience of a lump-sum audit left her shocked by how punitive and fault-seeking it felt. From there, the episode digs into the **paradox of lump sums and compliance**. Daiana and Alessandro argue that while the reporting logic towards the Commission may be simplified on paper, project implementation still behaves like a real-cost world if you want to survive an audit: timesheets, contracts, payroll evidence, proof of payments and a mass of supporting documentation still matter in practice. That creates a dangerous gap between what newcomers think lump sums mean and what experienced coordinators know they still need to keep. The panel then moves beyond frustration and into solutions: more clarity on what is actually required, a more appreciative and learning-oriented audit culture, more transparent dialogue between practitioners and agencies, and perhaps even policy dialogues that allow projects to present what they have really achieved instead of being reduced to folders and compliance checks. 11:49 Presumption of guilt and fear-driven compliance 26:18 Who is this audit discourse really protecting? - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/220 ### Title: #220 ### Page ID: 9211053 ### Content: ##### #220 A Book on Diversity Leadership in Research Management In episode **#220 of The Grant,** I have **Jakob Feldtfos Christensen**, director of **Diverse Unity** and co-host of the **Diversity in Research Podcast**, to talk about his new book: ***Diversity Leadership in Research Management: A Practical Guide***. The conversation starts with the obvious question: why write this book now? Jakob explains that research management has matured into a stronger profession, while diversity work in research has also become much harder to ignore - not least because it is now firmly embedded in funding practice, especially in European programmes. At the same time, he argues that too much of the public debate is still shallow, polarised or disconnected from the day-to-day reality of research projects. The book is his attempt to offer something more useful: a practical tool for research managers working in real institutions, real proposals and real international collaborations. What makes the episode especially rich is the way Jakob unpacks the book’s core idea: **diversity literacy** as a practical professional skill. Rather than reducing diversity work to representation, good intentions or institutional policy documents, he argues that research managers need tools, vocabulary and judgement to navigate very concrete challenges inside projects and partnerships. We talk about leadership, inclusive research support offices, the role of the individual research manager, global differences in how diversity is understood, and why these skills are becoming even more important in a world shaped by AI, geopolitical tension and increasingly global research funding. This is a conversation not just about a book, but about where research management as a profession is heading. **Connect with Jakob Feldtfos Christensen on LinkedIn** - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/podcast-for-consultancies ### Title: Podcast for consultancies ### Page ID: 9211824 ### Content: ##### Andrea Motola I have **deep understanding of EU** programmes and policy to ensure that it is not just interviews but actual **conversations** **Plug-and-play** - **I take care of everything**. From planning and recording to editing and promotion - so you can focus on your work My **curated community of listeners** is boosted with professionals interested in EU funding, innovation and impact. This is your target group Showcase your expertise and stand out in an competitive landscape Build credibility and confidence with future and existing clients Share project updates and results in a clear and engaging format Create high-quality content that supports EU dissemination and visibility goals We align on your goals, audience and key messages to shape the content for the episodes, so they align with your strategic targets I handle content preparation, hosting, recording, editing, show notes and all logistics You approve it and I release it on my platform, share it through my SoMe channels and you share on your platforms. I provide assets and guidance to help you reach the right audience “Working with Niels on our podcast was great. It was a smooth conversation with a friend rather than a work effort. He is a very attentive listener and a great podcast host who knows how to highlight the important aspects of a speaker's input and make them attractive to the listener.” - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/case1 ### Title: Case1 ### Page ID: 9226254 ### Content: ## **Greek** Horizon-experienced SME ##### Agri-food systems ##### Circular economy ##### Regional and rural development ##### Social innovation ##### Digital transformation ### Capacity offers ### Calls of interest **Greek company, active since 2006 in research and innovation actions.** With a strong expertise in Social Sciences and Humanities, IPR Management, Commercial Exploitation, Dissemination and Communication of innovation projects. Actively participate in Horizon Europe, CBE JU and other EU programmes, contributing to the relevant fields. **Boosting creative startups for disruptive innovation** **Fostering cooperation and integration between SSH and STEM research and innovation in the EU** **Researching the technical, social & economic factors impacting the energy performance of Smart Buildings (Built4People Partnership)** **Validating policies and business models for affordable and sustainable housing (Built4People Partnership)** **Boosting agrobiodiversity for food security and sustainable competitiveness** **Balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity objectives to unlock sustainable value chains** **Joint demonstration of solutions to build soil resilience to extreme weather events and support food security-** - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/221 ### Title: #221 ### Page ID: 9236461 ### Content: #221 Better Proposals - Impact, Training & Research Communication In this episode **of The Grant**, I’m joined by **Elaine Massung**, founder of **Academic Smartcuts**, to talk about how researchers can become better at navigating the funding process. Elaine brings a rare combination of experience: PhD researcher, postdoc, former funding agency professional at EPSRC, and now independent trainer helping academics communicate more clearly and write stronger proposals. We talk about one of her biggest observations across all these roles: researchers often have strong ideas, but struggle to interpret them for the right audience whether that audience is a reviewer, a funder, a stakeholder or the wider public. The episode moves through the practical mistakes Elaine sees again and again: not reading the guidance carefully, starting with the solution instead of the problem, recycling old proposal language, leaving impact too late and treating dissemination as a box-ticking exercise. We also talk about her training approach, including step-by-step proposal development, proposal audits and helping researchers understand what reviewers actually need to see. Finally, we dig into impact and visibility: why “high-impact journals, conferences and a workshop” is no longer enough, and how researchers can create more thoughtful strategies through podcasts, blogs, trade magazines, schools, stakeholder formats and other channels that actually fit the project. 06:20 The Core Insight: Everyone Makes the Same Mistakes - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/rm7 ### Title: RM7 ### Page ID: 9236557 ### Content: ##### RM Framework Series (7): The Hungary Pilot In episode #7 of the **RM Framework Series**, I’m joined by **Associate Professor Éva Pinter** and **Éva Kőváriné Ignáth** from **Corvinus University of Budapest** to explore the Hungarian pilot. Corvinus brings a very specific and valuable perspective to the project because it already runs a formally accredited postgraduate programme: the **Research and Innovation Manager and Economist Executive Degree Programme**. The programme runs over two full semesters, leads to a state-recognised diploma, and was developed in close cooperation with Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation Office. Unlike shorter professional workshops, this is a full higher education qualification for experienced professionals from universities, research institutes, public agencies and companies — as well as people transitioning into research management. That makes Corvinus a particularly interesting pilot case — and also a boundary case for the RM Framework. Éva Pinter explains that because the programme is already formally accredited, its curriculum and learning outcomes cannot simply be redesigned around the handbook. Instead, the pilot tests where the RM Framework handbook and quality label work well, and where they need more flexibility for multi-semester, ECTS-based degree programmes. Éva Kőváriné Ignáth adds the course-level perspective, drawing on shorter BA and MA courses developed through earlier European projects and now used to introduce students to research management and EU research funding. Together, the episode becomes a practical discussion about formal education, competence frameworks, quality labels, microcredentials and what it really means to build a European standard for research management training across very different national systems. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/222 ### Title: #222 ### Page ID: 9276777 ### Content: ##### #222 Young Professionals in EU Funding In this episode **of The Grant**, I have **Oliver Cressall** from **Venturenomix** in the virtual podcast studio to talk about a topic I’ve wanted to cover for years: **young professionals in EU funding**. Oliver is still early in his own journey, working mainly on the proposal support side with consortium building, partner coordination and the administrative side of project development. That makes this episode especially valuable, because the conversation stays close to the actual experience of being junior in the field: the jargon, the invisible barriers, the feeling that everyone else already understands the system, and the fear of saying the wrong thing in public or at a project meeting. From there, we move into what the sector looks like from the junior perspective: where the entry points actually are, why many young people disqualify themselves before anyone else does, and what they are really looking for when they step into this world. Oliver talks about meaningful work, flexibility, mobility, autonomy and the chance to contribute to something larger than a paycheck — especially in areas like climate and sustainability. We also talk very openly about bad management, well-being, social media pressure, the need for safe spaces and why younger professionals need both real responsibility and real support if this field wants to keep them. 09:05 The invisible barrier: “I’m not experienced enough” 22:25 Entry points into EU funding: more paths than you think 33:38 What young professionals are really looking for 59:43 Advice to young professionals – and to the system - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/223 ### Title: #223 ### Page ID: 9314077 ### Content: ##### #223 Beyond Traditional Dissemination In this week's episode of *The Grant*, I’m joined by Borut Razbornik for a practical and very useful conversation about dissemination in EU projects and why the standard approach so often fails. We begin with the familiar problem: projects produce many outputs, upload them to a website, post about them on social media, count impressions and hope that this somehow leads to impact. Borut challenges that logic. For him, dissemination should not only be about visibility, but about whether people actually use, adopt, test or engage with the results of a project. The conversation then moves into Borut’s marketing-inspired approach to dissemination. Drawing on his background in marketing management and international sales and marketing, he explains why attention is scarce, why generic project messages rarely work, and why projects need to think much more carefully about target groups, timing, relevance and usefulness. We also discuss his “flagship strategy”: choosing the most useful and shareable project result, building the dissemination effort around it, and connecting the rest of the project outputs to that central asset. It is an episode for anyone who works with EU project communication, dissemination, exploitation or impact — especially those who feel that the usual quantity-driven approach is no longer enough. 16:06 Understanding Attention – A Marketing Perspective - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/224 ### Title: #224 ### Page ID: 9323692 ### Content: ##### #224 Navigating Many Funding Schemes In episode **#224 of The Grant**, I’m joined by **Alessio Caracci from Unknown Group** to talk about something many people in this field quietly struggle with: how to work across **multiple funding schemes at once** when your resources are limited. Alessio is based in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, but works for the Dutch innovation and entrepreneurship support organisation **Unknown Group**, where his role spans several business lines: the university, the campus and parts of the startup portfolio. That means he is not just looking at one familiar scheme, but constantly scanning and matching opportunities across different programmes and types of organisations. The conversation starts from that practical reality: this is not about becoming an expert in one call family, but about building a way of working that can handle complexity without losing focus. What makes the episode especially useful is that Alessio explains the logic behind his approach. Rather than chasing every possible opportunity, Unknown Group tries to identify a small number of bold strategic projects that support where the organisation wants to go in the next two or three years, and then works outward from there. Some projects are led directly; others are developed through consultants, alliances, universities, associations and other trusted partners. We also talk about the role of local ecosystems, how Unknown Group positions itself as a bridge into the Dutch innovation environment, why recurring deadline clusters are so brutal in practice, and how important it is to keep one eye on the big picture while staying disciplined in the day-to-day work of proposals. 21:09 Managing Complexity – Systems, Shortcuts and Survival - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/fundamentally-science-1 ### Title: Fundamentally Science #1 ### Page ID: 9328242 ### Content: ##### Novel MSCA PF Training Model w/Rita Gil Mata In this new episode of **The Grant Collaborations**, produced in **paid collaboration with FUNDamentally SCIENCE**, I sit down with **Rita Gil Mata** to talk about a challenge many universities and research support offices know all too well: how to prepare **MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship** applicants well enough in a context of exploding proposal numbers and falling success rates. Rita brings more than two decades of experience in European research funding support, and for her this programme is especially important because it touches researchers at a formative moment in their careers. Her starting point is both simple and urgent: Europe does not have a talent problem in MSCA PF — it has a **preparation problem**. Too many strong candidates, strong supervisors and committed institutions are all doing their best, but still working in fragmented and insufficient ways. That is the motivation behind the **MSCA Catalyst** model Rita has built. Rather than offering only a one-off training or a last-minute review, the programme is designed as a structured response to the whole ecosystem around the application. It combines three connected parts: applicant training built around the actual template, supervisor mentoring to clarify roles and expectations, and expert proposal review for the strongest applications selected by the institution. The idea is not only to help applicants write better proposals, but to align applicants, supervisors and research managers in a preparation process that starts early, builds ownership and avoids the familiar late-stage panic. It is a practical answer to a structural problem and a call to European institutions to take MSCA preparation much more seriously if they want to protect talent and remain competitive in research. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/225 ### Title: #225 ### Page ID: 9379177 ### Content: ##### #225 Research Management - The Hidden Work In episode **#225 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I sit down with **Isabel Burdallo from RISE Processum** to talk about something that is essential to research and innovation projects, yet still rarely seen clearly from the outside: **the hidden work of research managers**. Isabel works for a biorefinery environment in northern Sweden, supporting research and innovation around the valorisation of side streams and residues into bio-based solutions. From that position, she reflects on what research management actually looks like in practice. The role is often mistaken for administration alone — forms, budgets, reporting and compliance — but Isabel explains that the reality is much broader. A big part of the job is translation: translating research ideas into fundable structures, translating funding rules into practical project decisions, and translating institutional constraints into something researchers can actually work with. What makes this conversation especially strong is the way Isabel names the invisible. She talks about stepping into projects when things are already unstable, fixing procedural or financial risks before they escalate, managing timelines and consortium dynamics, and constantly adapting communication across researchers, management, internal administration and funders. If this work is done well, nobody notices it — and that is exactly part of the problem. We also talk about why the role remains invisible in many organisations, how different national and institutional cultures shape research management, and why professionals in this space need to speak more openly about what they actually do. It becomes a thoughtful conversation about coordination, identity, emotional labour and why research management is not secondary to science, but one of the conditions that allows science to move 12:52 The Hidden Tasks – What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/226 ### Title: #226 ### Page ID: 9412585 ### Content: ##### #226 Four Years of The Grant - What It Taught Me In this episode I mark four years of the podcast with a solo reflection on what this journey has shown me about the **EU funding ecosystem**. Looking back across more than 200 episodes and well over 140 guests, I talk about what has surprised me most: how much solitude there is in this sector, how many invisible tasks keep the system moving, and how often the real emotional cost of this work stays hidden behind the language of excellence, impact and delivery. I reflect on the people and themes that have shaped the podcast over time — stress, rejection, burnout, young professionals, research management, widening, consultants, NGOs and all the others who try, week after week, to keep good ideas alive in a highly competitive system. The episode also zooms out to the bigger shifts that have happened during these four years. I talk about the arrival of AI and how it has inflated proposal pressure across funding schemes, the professionalisation of the sector, the influence of geopolitical change on funding priorities, and the uncomfortable reality that access to EU funding is still not equal across Europe. At the same time, I share what strong organisations seem to do differently: strategy, long-term positioning, leadership that understands funding, and care for the people doing the work. Above all, this anniversary episode is a thank-you and a statement of intent. The Grant has become a space for the full system — not only the technical side of proposals and projects, but also the human side, the hidden side and the community side that so many of us need. 31:51 Things People Still Don’t Talk Honestly About - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/pno-italy-2 ### Title: PNO Italy #2 ### Page ID: 9421786 ### Content: # PNO Innovation Series #### #2 Coordinating Innovation in Bioeconomy: #### How Expertise Creates Stronger EU projects ## Coordinating Innovation in Bioeconomy – ## Beyond Project Management In this second episode of the **PNO Innovation Series**, produced in **paid collaboration with PNO Innovation**, I’m joined by **Anna Franciosini**, Innovation Consultant at PNO Innovation Italy, to talk about what coordination really means in **bioeconomy and agri-food innovation projects**. Anna has spent around a decade working with European funding, with a strong focus on bioeconomy, agri-food and bio-based innovation. From that position, she explains why coordination is much more than keeping timelines and reporting under control. In practice, it means shaping a credible innovation vision, aligning the different interests of partners, understanding the policy and industrial context, and making sure a project is positioned to create real impact in a sector that is evolving quickly. Using the **C4B project** as a concrete example, Anna shows how this works in practice. The project focuses on circular bio-based business models that can create more value for primary producers and other actors across the value chain. That makes coordination not just an administrative task, but a strategic one: bringing together different perspectives, making sure the concept reflects real sector challenges, and connecting project results to replication and uptake beyond the consortium itself. We also talk about **cascade funding**, stakeholder engagement, the role of open calls, and how PNO’s cross-border structure allows different teams to contribute complementary expertise in coordination, communication, digital tools and innovation support. - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/227 ### Title: #227 ### Page ID: 9431946 ### Content: ##### #227 Talent Attraction to Rural Regions and EU Funding In episode **#227 of The Grant – the EU funding podcast**, I’m joined by **Maria Haglund** and **Nikolaj Lubanski** for a conversation that connects **talent attraction** with the practical realities of **EU funding and regional development**. Maria works with a small regional development company on the west coast of Finland, representing seven municipalities and focusing on talent attraction, student retention and regional vitality. Nikolaj brings the long-view perspective from Greater Copenhagen, where he has spent more than a decade working with international talent attraction and with EU-funded projects designed to strengthen national and cross-border collaboration. Together, the episode becomes a grounded discussion between a region that wants to step further into EU funding and a practitioner who has spent years using it as a strategic tool. What makes this episode especially useful is that it goes beyond the abstract promise of funding and into the actual considerations regions face. We talk about why EU funding matters in this field, what kinds of instruments are relevant, and what has to be in place before a serious application makes sense. The conversation covers student retention, blue-collar shortages, international company readiness, cross-border cooperation between Vaasa and Umeå, and the difference between having a shared ambition and having a funded structure that can actually move things forward. We also dig into the worries many smaller organisations have around administration, reporting, partnerships and impact measurement — and why trust, alignment and early dialogue with programme officers matter so much. 21:20 Before You Apply – What Organisations Need to Consider First 44:10 Building Partnerships and Entering the EU Ecosystem 58:00 The Application Process – What Actually Happens? - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) --- ## URL: https://www.thegrant.eu/228 ### Title: #228 ### Page ID: 9476398 ### Content: ##### #228 Explain Science: EV Batteries and Life Cycle Assessment w/Kristin Fransson In the first episode of ***Explain Science***, a new science communication strand within **The Grant Podcast**, I’m joined by **Kristin Fransson** from **RISE** to open up the science behind the **NoVOC** project. Kristin works with **life cycle assessment** and has spent around 15 years in the field, focusing especially on batteries, metals and energy storage. In this conversation, we use NoVOC as the practical entry point: a Horizon Europe project working to reduce the hazardous solvents used in battery manufacturing and explore alternative dry and wet manufacturing approaches that could make battery production more sustainable. The broader ambition is clear: help Europe build battery capacity that is both more competitive and better for the environment. What makes the episode especially strong is that it does not stop at the technology itself. Kristin explains what **life cycle assessment** actually is, why it matters so much in research projects, and why battery LCAs are so difficult in practice. We talk about system boundaries, functional units, recycling assumptions, data collection, scale-up challenges and why LCA has to be brought into projects early if it is going to shape better decisions. The episode also opens a window into the wider battery ecosystem through the **Battery Heroes** collaboration and highlights a coming virtual coffee chat on sustainable lithium-ion battery manufacturing and cross-project collaboration on battery LCA. **Link to the online webinar "Virtual Coffee Chat series"** **Download the paper on LCA in Horizon Europe projects** - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about) - [Home](/) - [Podcast Universe](/podcast-universe) - [Collaborations](/collaborations) - [Services](/services) - [Hub](/hub) - [About](/about)