The Grant

Episode site In the first episode of the new SMEs Series, I sit down with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa (Co-founder of Polite Europe) to tackle one of the most complex issues facing SMEs in EU projects: understanding eligibility rules. The episode digs into the distinctions between SME owners and employees, how their time can be charged in projects, and the two main reimbursement routes — actual co...

Episode site In this second half of The Grant’s Innovation Fund introduction, Irene Larroy from EY shares with us the complex application and evaluation landscape of one of the EU’s most ambitious funding instruments for decarbonisation. In this second part we go through step-by-step the grant application process—what documents are required, how feasibility studies and financial modeling fit into...

Episode site In this Funding Scheme episode of The Grant , I invite Irene LaRoy, Innovation Fund expert and Partner at EY, to give us all an intruction to one of EU’s flagship funding programs: the Innovation Fund. We look into why the European Commission launched theInnovation Fund as part of the European Green Deal — aiming to decarbonize heavy industry by directly supporting the construction of...

Episode site Together with Stephanie Harfensteller , EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, I am launching the first episode of the Research Manager Shorts Series. In this first one we discuss how research support units can be strategically developed within institutions. The conversation explores what it takes to set up and scale research management—from convincing leadership to creati...

Episode site In the second half of this Implementation Series double episode on communication and dissemination, my two guests Anna-Maria Czarny and Maëla Barçon from Hanse-Parlament move into unfolding dissemination in EU-funded projects. They unpack what dissemination really means, how it differs from communication, and why the two must work in sync. The discussion includes concrete strategies l...

Episode site In this Implementation Series episode, I dig into the nuts and bolts of communication and dissemination within EU-funded projects. Returning guests Anna Maria Czarny and Maëla Barçon, both project managers at Hanse-Parlament, to share their hands-on experiences and practices. We discuss the essential distinctions between communication (engaging audiences and promoting activities) and...

Episode site In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I dive into the role of CENSEC, Denmark’s national cluster for defense, space, and security, and how it facilitates access to EU funding, particularly the European Defense Fund (EDF). The conversation highlights the strategic importance of clusters in fostering innovation and collaboration among SMEs, research institutions, and government bodies....

Episode site In this episode of The Grant, I dive deep into the European university alliances through the lens of YUFE – Young Universities for the Future of Europe. Guest Maria-Valerie Schegk, Secretary General of the YUFE Alliance, shares her insider perspective on how YUFE evolved from a bold vision sparked by Emmanuelle Macron’s Sorbonne speech in 2017 into a vibrant, cross-border collaboratio...

Episode site In the final episode of this batch of the Communication Shorts Series, we dive into how to measure and refine social media engagement strategies. We stress that social media is an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time announcement, requiring consistent monitoring and response. The episode explores how to track audience interactions, respond to comments effectively, and use real-...

Episode site This episode focuses on crafting compelling, concise, and engaging messages for social platforms. Casper stresses that the first two sentences of a post are crucial, as they determine whether an audience will continue reading. We recommend using attention-grabbing hooks such as surprising statistics, provocative questions, or emotionally compelling statements. The discussion also cove...

Episode site In this episode, we explore how to leverage social platforms effectively to communicate EU funding projects. We discuss the importance of viewing social platforms as tools rather than media, emphasizing strategic audience engagement over mere visibility. Further, we highlight how to use relatable language, compelling narratives, and audience-specific messaging to increase impact. Addi...

Episode site In episode #160 of The Grant Podcast, I kick off the new Widening Series, focusing on the Widening Programme under Horizon Europe. Co-hosting this series is Thomas Brent, a former science policy journalist and Widening expert, now working at CERN. Together, we dive into why the Widening Programme exists, its objectives, and how it addresses the research and innovation gap between high...

Episode site In episode #159 of The Grant Podcast, we continue our deep dive into EDF proposal writing, focusing on the writing phase, submission process, and key strategic considerations. Joined again by Margherita Volpe from Zabala Innovation Europe, we explore how to structure the nine key sections of an EDF proposal, balancing technical precision, market research, and compliance with EU securi...

Episode site In episode #158 of The Grant Podcast, I take a deep dive into proposal writing for the European Defence Fund (EDF) — one of the most complex and competitive funding schemes in the EU. I have invited Margherita Volpe from Zabala Innovation Europe, to explore the key steps in developing a winning EDF proposal, from concept development and consortium collaboration to budget structuring a...

Episode site This episode focuses on making newsletter content engaging and impactful. The first step? Crafting an attention-grabbing subject line that makes recipients want to open the email. The right balance of intrigue, clarity, and action-oriented language can significantly boost open rates. Beyond the subject line, we discuss structuring content effectively by maintaining a mix of short and...

Episode site This episode focuses on making newsletter content engaging and impactful. The first step? Crafting an attention-grabbing subject line that makes recipients want to open the email. The right balance of intrigue, clarity, and action-oriented language can significantly boost open rates. Beyond the subject line, we discuss structuring content effectively by maintaining a mix of short and...

Episode site In this episode, we dive into the foundational aspects of launching a successful newsletter. The discussion kicks off with the importance of defining a clear purpose—whether it’s to inform, engage, or drive action. Without a well-defined objective, a newsletter risks becoming just another email in a crowded inbox. We also explore the critical role of knowing your audience and segmenti...

Episode site The topic of gender balance in EU funding is more relevant than ever, and in this episode, we take a deep dive into the challenges, progress, and ongoing efforts to ensure equal access to funding opportunities. My guest, Anne-Charlotte Joubert, EU Affairs and Funding Expert at Euro-BioImaging and founder of WonderFund, shares her insights on how gender imbalances persist in the fundin...

Episode site In this second part of the double episode on the ERC interview, we dive into the crucial second stage of the ERC application process - the interview. Yasmin Wachs, Senior Consultant at Enspire Science, demystifies what happens when candidates face the ERC panel. From understanding the online format to tackling strict time management, Yasmine shares essential insights on how to navigat...

Episode site In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I delve into the intricacies of preparing for an ERC (European Research Council) interview. My guest, Yasmin Wachs, Senior Consultant at Enspire Science, brings over a decade of expertise in guiding researchers through the ERC grant process. With firsthand insights into what makes a proposal stand out, Yasmin offers invaluable advice on crafting a...

Episode site In this episode of The Grant, I explore the dynamic partnership between Heatflow, a tech-driven SME specializing in advanced thermal management solutions, and the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), a leading Danish research organization. The discussion dives into how collaboration between SMEs and RTOs drives innovation, turning groundbreaking concepts into market-ready solutions....

Episode site The final episode in this series focuses on the critical role of relationship-building in successful communication strategies. The hosts highlight the importance of following up after sending a press release, emphasizing that persistence (when done respectfully) often makes the difference between a missed opportunity and a published story. They discuss how to make interactions with jo...

Episode site This episode dives into the foundational principles of effective communication for EU-funded projects, starting with the critical need to understand your audience. Casper shares strategies to identify what resonates with both journalists and their readers, emphasizing the importance of knowing not just your direct audience but also the broader public they serve. The conversation highl...

Episode site In this episode, the focus shifts to the tactical aspects of communication, starting with the importance of defining a unique angle for your story. The hosts discuss how to distill a project’s complexity into a sharp and focused narrative that cuts through the noise. Casper introduces the concept of leading with conclusions—putting the most interesting and relevant details up front—an...

Episode site Since Russia initiated its full-scale attack war on Ukraine the European Commission has changed its discourse 180 degrees on funding defence and security industries. It already started with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 where the Commission started up the European Defence Fund, but with the full-scale war the Commission has ripped off the plaster fully from the realization that we...