Your step by step tools to win the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 grant. Extensive instructions, examples and Insider tips and tricks included. Find out more at http://www.h2020manuals.eu/ or http://store.h2020manuals.eu/.

1. How to Write a Winning H2020
Proposal
SME Instrument Phase 1

2. What is the SME Instrument?
• Horizon 2020 programme for
funding innovative SMEs
• Aim: to fill the gaps in
funding and to accelerate
the exploitation of
innovation
• 3 billion EUR of funding
available over the period
2014-2020
• 740 million EUR in 2016-2017
should benefit around 2000
SMEs

3. Main Characteristics
• Only SMEs are allowed to apply for funding
• For the first time in the history of EU funding, a
single SME can apply directly for funding
• Simple rules and procedures
• Continuously open call with 4 cut-off dates per
year
• No obligation to sequentially cover all phases
• Activities at TRL 6 or above

4. The Three Phases
PHASE 1
Feasibility assessment
PHASE 2
Innovation project
PHASE 3
Commercialisation
- 10 pages
- 6 months
- 50 000 EUR
- up to 3 coaching days
- 30 pages
- 1–2 years
- 0,5–2,5 Million EUR
- up to 12 coaching
days
- support services
- networking
opportunities
- no direct funding

5. What is Phase 1 About?
• Explore the scientific or technical feasibility and
commercial potential of the innovation.
• Project has to be aligned to the business strategy of the
company.
• Funding is provided in the form of a lump sum of EUR
50.000.
• Projects should last around 6 months.
• Activities: proof of technical and commercial viability, risk
assessment, development of pilot application, design of
market study, user involvement studies, IP exploration,
partner search, study of requirements for additional
expertise, and the like.
• The expected outcome of the project is a feasibility study
(technical and commercial), including a business innovation
plan, recommendations for additional innovation activities,
and private financing needs.

6. Call Topics 2016-2017:
Call ID Topic
SMEInst-01-2016-2017 Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
SMEInst-02-2016-2017 Nanotechnologies, advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and
processing technologies
SMEInst-03-2016-2017 Dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market
SMEInst-04-2016-2017 Space research and development
SMEInst-05-2016-2017 Healthcare biotechnology
SMEInst-06-2016-2017 ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well
SMEInst-07-2016-2017 Sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based
sectors
SMEInst-08-2016-2017 Innovative solutions for blue growth
SMEInst-09-2016-2017 Low carbon and efficient energy system
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
SMEInst-11-2016-2017 Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
SMEInst-12-2016-2017 New business models for inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
SMEInst-13-2016-2017 Engaging SMEs in security research and development

7. Cut-off Dates 2016-2017
• 2016:
• 24 February
• 3 May
• 7 September
• 9 October
• 2017:
• 15 February
• 3 May
• 6 September
• 8 November

8. Target Companies
• for-profit SMEs
• established in the EU Member states or countries
associated with Horizon 2020
• must have fewer than 250 employees and an annual
turnover of no more than 50 million EUR AND/OR an
annual balance sheet of no more than 43 million EUR
Target companies are innovative SMEs, capable of
developing the proposed innovation and take it to the
market that cannot find immediate financing on the
market because of their high-risk character!

9. Why you Should Apply?
• To open your way to new markets.
• To improve the image of your company and rank among
the best European SMEs.
• To gain visibility at a European and global level.
• To access professional business/management coaching.
• To establish new contacts in an innovative and
competitive environment.
• To benefit from great networking opportunities.
• To access substantial funding.
• To gain support for follow-up financing.

10. Evaluation Process
• CRITERIA:
ü Impact (economic impact on the users of the innovation, the
applicants and the European economy)
ü Excellence (description of the problem; project approach,
activities and goals; features and advantages of the innovation;
description of state-of-the-art; main technical and commercial
risks)
ü Quality of Implementation (sound and comprehensive
description of work; availability of relevant resources)
• PHASE 1 THRESHOLD:
• Individual criteria: 4/5
• Overall score: 13/15

11. Success Rate Per EU Member State
EU average: 7.3%
Source: European Commission, Horizon 2020 First results

12. Some Elements of Winning Proposals
• Convincing business opportunity
• Business oriented approach and structure
• Evaluation-friendly proposal
• High credibility of information
• A compelling abstract
• Engaging visual appearance

13. Discover the tools that will improve your
SME Instrument Phase 1 proposal!
SME-1 Guidebook
SME-1 Proposal Templates
SME-1 Self-assessment Tool
SME-1 Proposal Clinic

14. With the guidebook you will be able to:
ü step-by-step lead the team that
prepares the proposal
ü develop the right strategy for the
proposal
ü replicate the best practices used
by winning SME Instrument
proposals
ü design optimal formatting and
document structuring
ü understand the evaluation
process and exact evaluation
criteria
ü save enormous time otherwise
spent on getting through 450+
pages of documentation
available online

15. With the template you will be able to:
ü answer to all necessary
questions and include essential
elements, ensuring that you do
not make one of the fatal
mistakes - missing out any key
information
ü present data with editable
visuals
ü make the best use of formatting
and visuals
ü save your energy and time spent
on styling
ü focus entirely on the content,
instead of spending your time on
layout and formatting

16. With the self-assessment tool you will
be able to:
ü recognize the strengths and
weaknesses of your proposal
ü recognize and avoid mistakes
that could kill your proposal
ü understand the full potential of
your innovation
ü better allocate your time and
effort when preparing the
proposal
ü prepare a winning SME-1 proposal
in accordance with actual
evaluation criteria

17. With the proposal clinic you
will be able to:
ü improve your proposal through tips from
experienced SME experts, who will
simulate the official evaluation
procedure and give you 20
recommendations for the improvement
of your proposal
ü understand the strengths and
weaknesses and overall potential of
your proposal through one hour of
consultation with experienced SME
expert
ü focus on the important elements of the
proposal
ü meet the real evaluation criteria, which
will significantly improve your proposal
scores

18. Toolboxes
Full Package Pro Toolbox Basic Toolbox
• Manual
• Proposal template
• Self-assessment
tool
• Proposal Clinic
• Manual
• Proposal template
• Self-assessment
tool
• Manual
• Proposal template

19. Find out more:
www.h2020manuals.eu
store.h2020manuals.eu
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www.facebook.com/h2020manuals
+386 59 050 159
info@h2020manuals.eu