The five non-negotiable elements of a winning Horizon Europe proposal in the health space
In the ever-evolving landscape of health research, the quest for Horizon Europe funding - and the competition - have intensified dramatically over the past decade. But what secured funding ten years ago wouldn't even make the first cut today, meaning that many health researchers fail to secure funding, despite their best efforts.
What separates the funded 12-15% of projects from the rest?
As a mid-career health researcher, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the myriad of tools and techniques promising to give your proposal an edge.
Many may believe that securing Horizon Europe funding requires a complex arsenal of resources—expensive project management tools, writing tools, high-end editing services, and professional graphic designers - and therefore they give up before even starting.
Others may easily get distracted by “extras” during proposal preparation. A polished proposal, a sleek design, or a detailed Gantt chart can feel like progress. But these are often just ways to avoid the harder, more critical work of refining your research idea.
Ask yourself:
- Are you spending time on the appearance of your proposal because you are unsure about its core substance?
- Are you hiding behind complexity because you have not fully defined your project’s objectives or methodology?
- Are you trying to impress evaluators with style rather than substance?
Many health researchers fall into this trap.
But success in Horizon Europe comes down to one critical element—a solid, well-aligned research idea. You might be spending hours perfecting your project logo, agonizing over the layout of your proposal, or debating which colour you want to use for the titles and subtitles of your proposal.
The harsh reality? No amount of editing or design can save a proposal with fundamental scientific weaknesses. Conversely, truly solid research proposals rarely needs fancy packaging to shine.
The five key elements of a winning Horizon Europe proposal
To stand out in a sea of applications, your proposal must be built on strong foundations. Here are the five essential elements of a competitive Horizon Europe proposal:
1. A clearly defined need
What problem are you solving, and why does it matter? Your proposal must address a real, pressing issue in health research. Be specific: What’s the gap in the current knowledge? Who is affected by this problem? Why is it urgent to solve it now? If you can’t articulate the need clearly, your proposal will lack impact.
2. Measurable objectives
What exactly do you aim to achieve within the project duration? Avoid vague statements like “improve health outcomes.” Reviewers need to see tangible targets that demonstrate the feasibility of your project. What specific, quantifiable targets will you hit? By when? How will you measure them? Ask yourself: How can I quantify success? If your results can’t be measured, reviewers will not trust that you can deliver them.
3. A solid methodology
Your approach needs to be more than a list of work packages. Evaluators need to see not just what you will do, but why you have chosen this specific path over alternatives. How does each methodology component directly serve your objectives? What's your scientific reasoning? A well-structured methodology reassures evaluators that your project is achievable. A weak methodology signals uncertainty, and uncertainty is the last thing you want in a competitive funding scheme.
4. Realistic and valuable results
What tangible outputs will your project deliver? Whether it’s new guidelines, innovative techniques, or policy recommendations, your results must align with the needs you have identified. And crucially, they must be feasible within the project’s timeframe.
5. Concrete pathways to impact
This is where most proposals falter. Horizon Europe demands more than excellent science—it requires demonstrable impact. Who exactly will use your findings? How will your results improve health outcomes, influence policy, or drive economic growth? Through what specific mechanisms will your work create change? What will look different 5-10 years after your project ends? If you can’t answer these questions convincingly, your proposal isn’t ready.
The only thing you need to win
Winning Horizon Europe funding doesn’t require a design budget or a polished project logo. It requires clarity. Focus. The ability to strip away unnecessary complexity and articulate your research in a way that resonates with evaluators.
Many researchers struggle because they lack this clarity. They work hard—sometimes too hard—but their efforts are misdirected. If you’ve ever felt like you’re pouring time and energy into your proposal but still not getting anywhere, it’s time to take a step back.
The path forward
Struggling to see your proposal clearly? It's normal—you're too close to it. Sometimes you need an external perspective to identify gaps in your reasoning or missed opportunities for alignment.
If you are unsure whether your proposal is focusing on the right things, let’s assess it together.
Book a quality check session with me, and we will focus on strengthening the core elements that actually determine your proposal's success. No fluff, no false promises—just honest assessment and strategic guidance to make your project truly competitive.
Image by Stephen Kraakmo on Unsplash