Episode siteIn 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 the process, and what it takes to calculate eligible costs using the dreaded Excel templates. Irene shares hard-earned insights into what makes proposals successful (or not), especially in relation to key documents like the GHG emissions calculator and the financial maturity documentation.The episode also examines how Innovation Fund proposals are evaluated: from the role of expert panels to the five core evaluation criteria—degree of innovation, GHG reduction, project maturity, replicability, and cost-efficiency. Bonus points, controversial scoring issues, and evaluation fairness across sectors are addressed with practical advice for applicants. Finally, we have a look at what happens after winning the grant, including negotiations, financial close, and the grant agreement phase—plus a few project success stories to bring it all to life.Time codes:00:02:06 How to apply00:16:54 Evaluation00:46:59 When receiving funding01:00:38 Do's and don't's01:07:32 The toughest challenge
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#169 Innovation Fund - An Introduction (part 1)
Episode siteIn 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 large-scale facilities. Irene explains the unique structure of the programme, including the different project categories (small, medium, large, pilot, and clean tech manufacturing) and the heavy focus on industrial-scale deployment rather than research.The episode sheds light on how Innovation Fund projects are evaluated, how relevant costs are calculated, and why financial close is a crucial milestone. It highlights theInnovation Fund’s distinctive character: it’s financed through the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and operates with stringent technical and financial demands. Finally, we look into why applying for the Innovation Fund demands strategic commitment, top-level management buy-in, and an intricate balance between innovation, technical readiness, and financial solidity.This is a double episode. In this first episode we dig into why the EU Commission established this initiative, the structure of the programme and the target group and stakeholders. Very instructive for everybody who is approaching the funding scheme. Time codes:00:01:50 Introduction00:07:44 Fly in on Innovation Fund00:09:26 EU background for the funding scheme00:14:25 Structure of the programme00:50:56 Target groups
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#168 Shorts - Research Manager Series (1): Developing a Strategy
Episode siteTogether 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 creating internal awareness of the function’s value. Stephanie shares her experience establishing the research management function at research institute, how she identified internal "pain points," and how she framed these challenges as strategic opportunities that aligned with broader institutional goals.The episode highlights how professionalizing research support is not only about writing better proposals but about improving long-term sustainability, compliance, and impact. Topics include building internal visibility, tailoring support to researchers' actual needs, and working across silos to embed research strategy into the daily rhythm of the organization. Whether you're starting from scratch or scaling an existing support structure, this episode offers practical insights on transforming research management into a strategic asset.Time codes: 00:02:45 Introduction00:05:46 First motivation00:09:48 Management commitment00:14:07 Considerations before starting - Motivation 00:22:25 Considerations before starting - Challenges00:28:32 Connection with overall organizational strategy
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#167 The Dissemination Activities - The Implementation Series (10)
Episode siteIn 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 like using targeted knowledge platforms, printed materials for traditional audiences, and tailoring approaches to each project’s specific socio-economic environment.The episode also explores operational best practices—from organizing partner collaboration and indicators, to planning events that meaningfully present project results. My dear guests share candid stories, such as how a single presentation led to EU-level recognition, and why printing a book might still be your best dissemination tool. The conversation wraps up with useful do's and don'ts, like staying flexible, knowing your target groups, and never sidelining dissemination just because “you’ll do it later.”Time codes:00:01:41 The dissemination activities00:28:38 Synergies00:31:50 Organisation, collaboration and formalities00:46:30 Do's and don't's00:51:41 The toughest challenge
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#166 The Communication Activities - The Implementation Series (9)
Episode siteIn 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 dissemination (sharing project results and knowledge), while highlighting the common confusion and overlap between the two. This nice conversation covers everything from classic tools like newsletters, social media, and websites to innovative tactics such as QR code marketing, localized web pages, and dynamic visual content. The episode offers detailed advice on setting up an effective communication strategy, organizing indicators, building partner engagement, and creatively involving target audiences. It's a practical, behind-the-scenes guide for anyone implementing EU-funded projects who wants to go beyond boilerplate templates and make an actual impact.Time codes:00:01:41 Introduction00:05:50 Fly in on communication and dissemination00:14:49 Communication activities00:23:14 The communication & dissemination strategy00:32:42 Communication activities (continued)
Getting EU funding for your research project idea is great, but the process from project idea to submission of the full proposal is rough and tough. 20.000 proposals are submitted every year and every single one of these preparations goes through many challenges. Most of these challenges have the same overall characteristics, that can be minimized or eliminated by being aware of them already when starting the proposal process. This podcast is for proposals preparers looking for tips, tricks, advice or just an audible pad on the shoulder to deal with the unavoidable tough work
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