Outlines the biggest challenge in Horizon 2020 and a recipe on how to exploit successfully Horizon 2020 calls of proposal

1. WHY YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL
IN HORIZON 2020 AND HOW TO
SUCCEED
Nikolaos FLORATOS
Founder of Funding Expert Academy
EC Expert
Advisory Board Member of EPA

2. Who is Nikolaos Floratos
• Active in the european funding industry since 1997 (19
years)
• EC expert/evaluator since 2003 (13 years)
• Author of the ebook “Learn from the Horizon 2020
champions” downloadable from
www.FundingExpert.academy
• Trained hundreds of consultants and organisations on
exploiting successfully EU funds
• Founder of Funding Expert Academy that masters
individuals in EU funding programmes including
Horizon 2020 and exploits the most successful and
largest no. of proposal developers across Europe

3. Funding Expert Transformation Process
• Understand how
EU funding
mechanism works
• Identify the most
attractive funding
opportunities for
your needs
Step
1
• Follow rituals
religiously
• Master all actions
from initiating an
attractive idea to
successful
submission
• Celebrate at end
of the step
Step
2
• Impress evaluators
before start
reading
• Prepare great
proposals for
funding
• Master how to
write convincingly
Step
3
• Change your
mindset as a
successful funding
expert with
financial freedom
• Brand yourself
accordingly
• Enjoy a better
lifestyle
Step
4
5 Fingers’
Technique
I.C.R.E.A.T.E.S.
system
C.R.I.T.E.R.I.A.
Formula
Change and Grow
Rich Formula
Daily Habits
B.U.N.D.L.E.R.
Habits
From Struggle To Success

4. Horizon 2020
Societal
Challenges
Leadership in
Emerging and
Innovative
Technologies
Excellent
Science
80 billion €
2014-2020
4.8 billion € for
administration
75.2 billion €
funding for
Forefront
know how
Growth
Better life for
EU citizens
6%
94%
10.7 billion €
funding
Very
conservative
Assumptions
Proposal
Development cost
around 3% of
requested funding
14% Success rate
(~1/7 )
Assumeyearly
Proposal
Development cost
around 3% of
requested funding
86% failed rate
(~6/7)
321 million € spent
for successful proposals
of total budget 10.7 bn €
1.9 bn € spent annually
for failed proposals
In Horizon 2020
WHY YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL!

5. Funding Expert Transformation Process
• Understand how
EU funding
mechanism works
• Identify the most
attractive funding
opportunities for
your needs
Step
1
• Follow rituals
religiously
• Master all actions
from initiating an
attractive idea to
successful
submission
• Celebrate at end
of the step
Step
2
• Impress evaluators
before start
reading
• Prepare great
proposals for
funding
• Master how to
write convincingly
Step
3
• Change your
mindset as a
successful funding
expert with
financial freedom
• Brand yourself
accordingly
• Enjoy a better
lifestyle
Step
4
5 Fingers’
Technique
I.C.R.E.A.T.E.S.
system
C.R.I.T.E.R.I.A.
Formula
Change and Grow
Rich Formula
Daily Habits
B.U.N.D.L.E.R.
Habits
From Struggle To Success

6. The 7 Habits of Horizon 2020
Champions
B.U.N.D.L.E.R.TM Formula

7. B. Build to Last!

8. B. Build to Last!
© FundingExpert.Academy
HORIZON 2020 funded projects shall
support the
• mission of your organisation
• vision of your organisation
• Creation of forefront know-how
• Job growth and competitiveness
• Increase the quality of life of EU
citizens
i.e. don’t fall in the “Valley of Death”

9. U. Upset the Status Quo!
© FundingExpert.Academy
• You know the SMART objectives
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable/Attainable
• Realistic/Relevant
• Time (in)
• They are not complete, since SMART
objectives are not Innvovative!
• Think outside the box and be innovative
• Endorse the “Medici Effect”
i.e. Create a “David” like Michelangelo

10. N. Never Eat Alone!

11. D. Don’t Delay it, Delegate it!

12. D. Don’t Delay it,
Delegate it!
© FundingExpert.Academy
Winning Proposals in Horizon 2020
require teams with a
1. Proposal Leader
2. Proposal Writing Team (that
includes also high knowledge
on the scientific part i.e. to
address adequately why the
proposal is innovative and
essential
3. Secretary
4. Expert

13. GOOD PROPOSALS WILL FAIL
ONLY GREAT PROPOSALS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!
L. Learn that Good is the
Enemy of Great

14. E. Endorse a Sharpen
Axe!

15. E. Endorse a Sharpen
Axe!
© FundingExpert.Academy
Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter
asked for a job in a timber merchant and he
got it. The pay was really good and so was
the work condition. For those reasons, the
woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the
area where he supposed to work.
The first day, the woodcutter brought 18
trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that
way!”
Very motivated by the boss words, the
woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he
could only bring 15 trees. The third day he
tried even harder, but he could only bring 10
trees. Day after day he was bringing less and
less trees.
“I must be losing my strength”, the
woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and
apologized, saying that he could not
understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your
axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I
have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

16. R. Recognise Mistakes
as Learning Opportunities!
© FundingExpert.Academy

17. R. Recognise Mistakes
as Learning Opportunities!
© FundingExpert.Academy
We are learning and we are innovating from our mistakes,
therefore,
• Learn from your mistakes but most importantly
• Learn from the mistakes of others

18. More on Funding Export
Transformation TreeTM
• Funding Expert Academy Portfolio
– http://www.fundingexpert.academy