I frequently wonder why more SMEs are not availing of EU funding for innovation and research projects. An interesting report which highlights (from an Irish perspective): 1. A total of 179 SME participants in Horizon Europe Projects, average funding €638,000 per project. [note we have 279,000 SMEs in IE so lets not get ahead of ourselves]. 2. The success rate for IE applications is 19.9%. What can we learn from our Belgian friends (24%)? 3. Tech-Intense projects in the main, concentrated in digital, deep-tech, green. 4. SMEs rarely leading projects. 5. 87% of SMEs are partners in research consortia. 6. 40% Co-Funding from SMEs expected. Whilst welcome to note that there is increased funding in Horizon Europe, across various pillars, a few fundamental questions must be asked. 1. How can we understand what 'good looks like' so that there can be an increased success rate for applicants? 2. How can the barriers to (successful) entry be adjusted to increase participation, lower complexity and costs for SMEs - particularly beyond the tech sector? 3. How can SMEs lead such endeavours?
The European Commission published a document entitled 'SME participation in Horizon Europe', a report that provides a detailed overview of the participation of SMEs in the Horizon Europe programme. The study examines the distribution and #funding of SMEs in the various work programmes, checking whether the programme meets the legal targets and expectations, and also analyses the geographical distribution of participating SMEs, their structural characteristics and their role in collaborative research and innovation projects. Check the report on the link below: https://lnkd.in/dW_S99fa
Hillary Cronin
4mo
EU funding is hugely competitive but hugely valuable in so many ways when successful. From the SME perspective, in my experience, the 2 biggest challenges to participation are 1)lack of resources to commit to competitive proposal writing and 2) the matched funding required.
Mary Prendergast
4mo
Stunned at those figures Kathryn!
Geoffrey Allen
4mo
It's a minefield applying for such and far from straightforward. I prefer root canal.
Getting organisations future-ready
4moMany thanks to Hillary Cronin for her further insights: The successful SMEs are the ones with the culture and attitude to make it work. Chasing the € for € sake is NOT the strategy. Does it fit in the mission? Are they in it for the 3-5 yr haul? Can they work collaboratively?