2025
Refining Access: Navigating the Balance Between Simplicity and Complexity in European Public Fundin
Brussels, 14 February 2025
The European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) has published a new paper, Refining Access: Navigating the Balance Between Simplicity and Complexity in European Public Funding, calling for targeted improvements to streamline EU funding processes and make them more accessible to researchers and innovators.
The report identifies key areas where current funding mechanisms create obstacles for applicants, on issues such as proposal templates, and financial viability assessments. It also highlights the need for a more user-friendly Funding and Tenders Portal and better coordination of funding deadlines to reduce administrative burdens and improve proposal quality.
Speaking about the recommendations, Luc Ragon, President of EAIC, said:
"Simplification is crucial for fostering innovation in Europe, but it must be done thoughtfully, and without leaving aside the two other aspects that come together with it in the Heitor report: efficiency and user orientation. Our proposals strike a balance between reducing bureaucracy and maintaining the high standards needed to support impactful research and innovation. This will help ensure that Europe remains competitive and continues to attract the best talent and ideas."
Among its proposals, the paper calls for consistent guidance on the implementation of lump sum grants, enhancements to the Funding and Tenders Portal, and the introduction of short-term bridging projects to accelerate knowledge transfer. EAIC also recommends creating a Complaints Mediator to offer a more transparent and efficient resolution process for applicants.
Paul Walsh, EAIC Secretary General, stressed the importance of engaging practitioners in shaping future funding programs:
"Our recommendations are grounded in the practical experience of EAIC members, who have collectively secured €4 billion in EU contributions. We believe the European Commission can bring about meaningful change by involving experts in the design of new instruments and adopting simple, effective improvements that remove unnecessary barriers for applicants."
By implementing these targeted changes, the European Commission can build a funding system that empowers applicants, builds trust among stakeholders, and strengthens Europe’s capacity for innovation.
About EAIC
The European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) is a non-profit organization representing Europe’s leading innovation funding professionals. EAIC is committed to promoting fair, transparent, and impactful EU funding programs that support research and innovation across Europe.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Walsh
Secretary General, European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC)
[email protected]
+32 486744337
www.eaic.eu
The European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) has published a new paper, Refining Access: Navigating the Balance Between Simplicity and Complexity in European Public Funding, calling for targeted improvements to streamline EU funding processes and make them more accessible to researchers and innovators.
The report identifies key areas where current funding mechanisms create obstacles for applicants, on issues such as proposal templates, and financial viability assessments. It also highlights the need for a more user-friendly Funding and Tenders Portal and better coordination of funding deadlines to reduce administrative burdens and improve proposal quality.
Speaking about the recommendations, Luc Ragon, President of EAIC, said:
"Simplification is crucial for fostering innovation in Europe, but it must be done thoughtfully, and without leaving aside the two other aspects that come together with it in the Heitor report: efficiency and user orientation. Our proposals strike a balance between reducing bureaucracy and maintaining the high standards needed to support impactful research and innovation. This will help ensure that Europe remains competitive and continues to attract the best talent and ideas."
Among its proposals, the paper calls for consistent guidance on the implementation of lump sum grants, enhancements to the Funding and Tenders Portal, and the introduction of short-term bridging projects to accelerate knowledge transfer. EAIC also recommends creating a Complaints Mediator to offer a more transparent and efficient resolution process for applicants.
Paul Walsh, EAIC Secretary General, stressed the importance of engaging practitioners in shaping future funding programs:
"Our recommendations are grounded in the practical experience of EAIC members, who have collectively secured €4 billion in EU contributions. We believe the European Commission can bring about meaningful change by involving experts in the design of new instruments and adopting simple, effective improvements that remove unnecessary barriers for applicants."
By implementing these targeted changes, the European Commission can build a funding system that empowers applicants, builds trust among stakeholders, and strengthens Europe’s capacity for innovation.
About EAIC
The European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) is a non-profit organization representing Europe’s leading innovation funding professionals. EAIC is committed to promoting fair, transparent, and impactful EU funding programs that support research and innovation across Europe.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Walsh
Secretary General, European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC)
[email protected]
+32 486744337
www.eaic.eu
2023
EAIC Reacts to Drastic Change in Submission Process for EIC Accelerator Application
Brussels, 07 June 2023
EAIC stands with the start-up community in response to the recent changes in the submission for EIC Accelerator applications. We want to address the challenges and offer suggestions to tackle the issues arising from these changes.
It is essential to recognise that the recent changes, introduced a few days only before a deadline, have a significant impact on the start-up community, causing confusion and uncertainty.
We urge the European Commission to tackle the most pressing issues arising from the new submission process ahead of the 21 June deadline:
In addition, EAIC suggests implementing a protocol for future changes to the submission process. By establishing clear communication channels, conducting consultations, and implementing gradual modifications, we can minimize disruptions and create a more supportive environment for start-ups.
EAIC stands with the start-up community in response to the recent changes in the submission for EIC Accelerator applications. We want to address the challenges and offer suggestions to tackle the issues arising from these changes.
It is essential to recognise that the recent changes, introduced a few days only before a deadline, have a significant impact on the start-up community, causing confusion and uncertainty.
We urge the European Commission to tackle the most pressing issues arising from the new submission process ahead of the 21 June deadline:
- Relax the page limit requirement,
- Remove all references to “coordinators” and “participants” to avoid any confusion with collaborative calls,
- Stabilize the current template early enough before the postponed June cut-off date so that applicants have sufficient time to address all questions,
- Ensure that the evaluators are adequately trained on the new format.
In addition, EAIC suggests implementing a protocol for future changes to the submission process. By establishing clear communication channels, conducting consultations, and implementing gradual modifications, we can minimize disruptions and create a more supportive environment for start-ups.
2022
EAIC launches the second update of the NextGenerationEU Guide
Brussels, 29 June 2022
One year after the launch of the Recovery Plan, first projects are already starting, EAIC releases a new version of its flagship publication “NGEU Guide” with concrete projects showing how, on the ground, the EU recovery plan is materialising.
Today the EAIC releases the second update of its flagship report: “NextGenerationEU Guide, for the industry to better understand and seize its opportunities”
One year after the launch of the Recovery Plan, first projects are already starting, EAIC releases a new version of its flagship publication “NGEU Guide” with concrete projects showing how, on the ground, the EU recovery plan is materialising.
Today the EAIC releases the second update of its flagship report: “NextGenerationEU Guide, for the industry to better understand and seize its opportunities”
- The new edition includes projects already starting to be implemented across Europe to recover from the COVID-19 pandemia.
- Report synthetises the National Recovery Plans in 26 EU member states to spend €750 bn foreseen from NextGenerationEU, the EU’s recovery plan announced in 2021.
- This new update includes summarised information on opened and planned calls in each country to implement the recovery plans.
- Member states had to dedicate at least 37% of the expenditures to measures contributing to climate objectives and at least 20% to digital objectives.
- International collaboration in strategic Value Chains such as Hydrogen, Battery, or Semiconductors to reduce dependency of the EU on foreign technologies is favoured, the report summarises where EU countries are focusing their efforts into.
2021
European Association of Innovation Consultants appoints Marie Latour
as Secretary General
23 September 2021
2020
New Association kicks-off to boost European
research and innovation investments
6 November 2020
EIC Accelerator: 15 Recommendations to Reduce the Part of Luck vs Skills
in the selection of Future European deeptech Champions
8 September 2020
European Innovation Consultants Working Group Accelerates its Outreach with Website Release Today
27 March 2020
