Applying for EU funding can be a rigorous and highly competitive process. Sometimes, despite your best efforts and an excellent proposal, your project may narrowly miss out on securing the funding. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as stiff competition or a slightly more favorable aspect of another project. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t be discouraged. Kahu can help you throughout this process!
Here are some steps to take to ensure your next submission is successful:

1. Welcome Feedback:

Understand the Decision: Read the detailed feedback provided by the funding body carefully and with a growth attitude. Understanding the specific reasons why your proposal was not selected can provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement.

2. Analyse and Reflect:

Identify Weak Points: Carefully review the feedback and identify any weaknesses or areas where your proposal did not fully meet the criteria. This could involve technical details, the clarity of your objectives, or the robustness of your methodology.

Acknowledge Strengths: Recognise the strengths of your proposal as highlighted by the reviewers. This will help you understand what aspects to retain and build upon in your resubmission.

3. Update and Improve:

Addressing Criticism: It is crucial to take reviewer criticism constructively. Criticism provides a roadmap for improvement, highlighting specific aspects of your proposal that need enhancement. Addressing these critiques not only strengthens your proposal but also demonstrates your commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. By directly tackling the points raised by reviewers, you can turn weaknesses into strengths, making your resubmission more compelling and robust.

For Example – Revise Objectives: Ensure your project objectives are clear, specific, and aligned with the funding program’s priorities. Use the feedback to refine and strengthen these goals.

For example – Enhance Methodology: If your methodology received criticism, consider revising your approach to be more comprehensive, innovative, or feasible. Provide more detailed plans and justify your methods with strong evidence.

4. Strengthen Your Consortium:

Review Partnerships: Evaluate the strength and relevance of your project partners. Sometimes, including new partners with additional expertise or resources can enhance the overall proposal.

Clarify Roles: Ensure that the roles and responsibilities of each partner are clearly defined and contribute meaningfully to the project’s success.

5. Resubmit with Confidence:

Stay Positive: Remember that many successful projects did not win funding on their first attempt. Persistence and continual improvement are key.

Plan Ahead: Keep an eye on upcoming funding calls and deadlines. Prepare your revised proposal well in advance to ensure you have ample time for thorough review and improvement.

Seek Professional Help: Companies like Kahu specialise in improving funding proposals. Leveraging their expertise can significantly increase your chances of securing funding. Kahu can provide valuable insights, enhance your proposal, and guide you through the resubmission process.

Conclusion

Not winning funding for your EU project proposal can be disheartening, but it is also an opportunity to learn and improve. By welcoming the feedback, analysing the results, updating your proposal and resubmitting, you increase your chances of success in the next funding round. Remember, persistence pays off and each revision brings you closer to securing the funding needed to bring your innovative project to life.

Don’t give up—refine, resubmit, and succeed. With professional assistance from companies like Kahu, you can significantly improve your proposal and enhance your chances of obtaining the funding you need.

Get in touch with us on info@kahu-innovation.com

Checklist for Improving Your EU Funding Proposal

1. Welcome Feedback:
   • Review the feedback thoroughly to understand the specific reasons for the decision.
2. Analyse and Reflect:
   • Identify the weaknesses and areas for improvement based on the feedback.
   • Recognise and note the strengths of your proposal as highlighted by the reviewers.
3. Update and Improve:
   • Take reviewer criticism constructively and identify areas that need enhancement.
   • Tackle the points raised by reviewers to turn weaknesses into strengths.
4. Strengthen Your Consortium:
   • Evaluate the strength and relevance of your project partners.
   • Consider including new partners with additional expertise or resources.
   • Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each partner in the project.
5. Resubmit with Confidence:
   • Stay positive and remember that persistence and continual improvement are key.
   • Keep an eye on upcoming funding calls and deadlines.
   • Prepare your revised proposal well in advance.
   • Seek professional help from companies like Kahu to enhance your proposal and increase your chances of securing funding.

Conclusion Checklist:

• Understand that not winning funding can be an opportunity to learn and improve.
• By following these steps, increase your chances of success in the next funding round.
• Remember to refine, resubmit, and succeed.
• Consider professional assistance from Kahu to significantly improve your proposal and enhance your chances of obtaining the funding you need.