Common mistakes to avoid in Horizon Europe grant writing for health researchers

Common mistakes to avoid in Horizon Europe grant writing for health researchers

Writing Horizon Europe grants costs time and energy; precious resources health researchers cannot afford to waste. The pursuit of research grants can be a daunting task, with tough competition and strict guidelines to follow. The journey to securing funding can be fraught with common mistakes that may hinder your chances of success. Let's explore some of these mistakes, and how you can avoid them to improve your grant writing process.

Planning and preparation

  • Starting late. Beginning the proposal writing process too close to the deadline can result in a rushed and incomplete submission. Take the time to plan and revise your proposal thoroughly to increase its chances of success.
  • Proposals not following instructions: It is essential to carefully follow the guidelines provided by the funding agency to avoid disqualification. Remind that in Horizon Europe you have also to respect a maximum number of pages for your application. Pay attention not to exceed the page limit.
  • Leaving submission to the last minute. Plan to submit your project well before the deadline, to avoid unnecessary mistakes or technical setbacks. Consider that in Horizon Europe, you can reopen and amend your draft proposal as often as you wish before the call deadline. Better you submit an imperfect project that none at all.

Understanding European Commission’s interests

  • Failing to thoroughly research the European Commission's interests: Researchers who do not take the time to understand the goals and priorities of the European Commission, can propose a proposal that is not a good fit. Researchers should carefully review the workprogrammes and calls for proposals and analyze the specifics well in advance to carefully select opportunities based on predetermined criteria
  • Focusing the proposal on your needs: Funding programmes are the instrument through which the funding organisation policies are actuated. In this sense, it is important to understand, and to convey into the proposal, that funding is not there to solve your problems but rather your project may solve a challenge that has been identified by the funding organisation.

Supporting your proposal

  • Unclear research hypothesis or weak preliminary data: Providing a clear and well-defined research hypothesis and strong preliminary data are crucial to support the purpose and feasibility of your research project. Without this evidence, your proposal may lack credibility and fail to convince reviewers of its potential.
  • Unclear need: This refers to a lack of clarity in explaining the significance and relevance of the research. It's important to clearly articulate why the research is needed and how it addresses an existing gap or problem.
  • Failing to check previous projects funded: the European Commission is not going to fund research activities and projects that have been already funded in the past. By reviewing previously funded projects in your specific field, you can avoid proposing research activities that have already received funding. This can help ensure the originality and uniqueness of your proposal.
  • Unclear or too ambitious workplan: An unclear workplan can lead to ambiguity in how the research will be conducted, potentially raising concerns about its feasibility and practicality. Clearly indicate what will be done, by whom, how and when. Also a too ambitious project, in which too many activities are proposed in respect to the time and budget available, may lead to concerns related to the project feasibility.
  • Unbalanced proposals: Pay attention not to be too long or provide unnecessary details on some parts of the proposal and then be too superficial on other parts. This would possibily lead to proposals that fail to address some of the evaluation criteria.

Conclusion

In the competitive landscape of Horizon Europe grant writing, avoiding common mistakes can significantly strengthen your grant proposals and increase your likelihood of success. Remember, grant writing is not just about the research itself, but also about effectively communicating the value and impact of your work to the reviewers and the funders. By carefully planning and crafting your health research proposal, you can navigate the Horizon Europe grant writing process with confidence and increase your chances of securing the funding needed to advance your health research goals.


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