Guidance could improve success rate in EU HEALTH calls

The Danish and Swedish participation in the first EU HEALTH call in 2007 has resulted in 135 approved projects. Though it sounds satisfying, more knowledge on how to apply for funding could improve this result.

In August, the European Commission announced the successful applicants from the first health call in April, and major participation from both Denmark and Sweden reaped good results.

325 project proposals with Swedish participation in the consortia and 187 with Danish participation were submitted to the commission in mid April. A total of 135 projects have been approved - approximately one in four applications, which is a success rate just above average.

Room for improvement

In Denmark the government aims to double Danish participation in EU research collaborations. Annedorte Vad, EU Consultant at Eurocenter, stresses that the HEALTH programme sets a good example, yet there is room for improvement. Some proposals have an adequate scientific quality, but are being rejected due to minor errors, because the applicants have not sought qualified guidance.

- Often rejections are based on simple errors that could be eliminated if the applicants were to take advantage of guidance offered by qualified authorities. In many cases a helping hand from Eurocenter could make a crucial difference, says Annedorte Vad.

Only the best proposals succeed

Chief Adviser at the University of Copenhagen, Poul Petersen, emphasises that the European Commission spends the tax payer's money carefully and that the money is solely granted to the very best proposals. Therefore, one has to do the homework properly. Previously, Poul Petersen was associated with Eurocenter and he points out two central pieces of advice:

- Basically, you can gain by early clarification of the project's potential. It is completely within the rules to contact the relevant project officer in Brussels early on in the process to get a clear indication of the project's relevance. Furthermore, it is essential to build the right partnerships, says Poul Petersen.

Many SMEs lack time

Tove Østergaard, Project Manager at MVA, recognises the issue. As the local project leader of the EU project "Passport", she helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) looking to participate in the 7^th EU Framework Programme.

- CEOs of SMEs are very busy people, so time and human resources are often the limiting factors. Information about EU projects is available, although it is often complex and inaccessible. With the Passport project we make this information accessible to the participants, says Østergaard.

Where to find help

In Denmark and Sweden, the National Contact Points (NCP) provide local guidance, practical information and assistance in all aspects of participation in the framework programme. Further information can be found at the Eurocenter homepagehere:

In addition, several support services financed by the European Commission are available and are often free of charge. Visit the MVA Passport website to learn more about the free support service for SMEs wishing to participate in EU projects.

You are also welcome to contact Charlotta Hjerpe from SME Life Support Office, SwedenBio, which is a free EU-help desk for Swedish SMEs.