This document provides information about opportunities for EU funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the SME Instrument of Horizon 2020. It outlines the application process which involves submitting applications at any time as the SME Instrument has rolling cut-off dates every 3-4 months. Successful applicants will receive a funding decision within 3 months for phase 1 or 6 months for phase 2. The document describes the steps for applying which include contacting a National Contact Point for guidance, identifying the appropriate topic, registering as an SME, and submitting the application. It notes that proposals will be evaluated by independent experts based on criteria like impact, excellence, and quality of implementation. Successful applicants will then prepare their grant agreement for signature.

1. Opportunities for
EU Funding for SMEs
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/p
ortal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/sear
ch/search_topics.html#c,topics=topicFileNa
me,callIdentifier,callTitle,identifier,title,descr
iption,tags,flags/s/SME/1/1/0&+title/desc

2. Application Process
H2020

3. Application
• Application for phase 1 or phase 2 should be submitted at any
time.
• The SME Instrument is a permanently open call with – in
general – four cut-off dates per year.
• Applications will be evaluated as soon as submitted.
• Time-to-grant is c3 months after the next cut-off date for
phase 1
• c6 months after the next cut-off date for phase 2

4. Step 1
• Contact the SME National Contact Point or the closest
Enterprise Europe Network partner that can give you
information and guidance
Dr Jane Watkins - United Kingdom
Organisation name: Innovate UK SMEs - Access to Finance
Address: North Star House,North Star Avenue, SN2 1UE,
Swindon, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 7500 051146 - Fax: +44 (0) 1302 388 800

5. Step 2
• In the list of broad SME instrument topics, find the topic that fits the
project best
• TCI to consult SME representative to confirm
• Each is described in the topics on line but include projects that
– involve ground breaking research or new technologies
– improve research training and development, or research
infrastructure
– create growth in sectors like advanced manufacturing, materials,
biotechnology, information and communication technology,
nanotechnology and space
– increase private investment in research
– respond to challenges like climate change, food security or
healthcare for an ageing population

6. Application
SME Registration
• Confirm the client is qualified as an SME
– fill in the SME questionnaire in the Beneficiary Register
– Identify the clients LEAR (Legal Entity Appointed
Representative). (see wizard in the IT HOW TO).
• Register your organisation
– login in the Portal to create the account.
– Check H2020 Online Manual for specific information
– Enter additional data for SME in the questionnaire once
"Research and Innovation Programme" has been
selected from the drop down list.

7. Evaluation of proposals
• Evaluation by independent external experts
• TCI To obtain names of these and provide to clients
• EU will check or conflicts of interest
• Ask client for up to 3 names of experts and their affiliation
that should not evaluate your proposal for potential
competitive reasons.

8. Evaluation of proposals
NOTE: To determine the final ranking of the proposals, the
score for the criteria 'Impact' will be given a weight of 1.5.
• The final score is the average score by individual evaluators
who give an opinion on your operational capacity to
implement the project. In phase 2 they also assess 'best
value for money' of subcontracts.
Criteria Impact Excellence
Quality and efficiency of
implementation
Phas
e 1
Minimum score 4/5 4/5 4/5
Minimum overall
score
13
Phas
e 2
Minimum score 4/5 4/5 4/5
Minimum overall
score
12

9. Grant preparation
and signature
• Once you have confirmation that your project can be funded,
the Grant preparation stage commences. You will be asked to
provide certain data in order to prepare the Grant Agreement
(e.g. bank account, legal representative).
• For the grant signature the general rules apply.