Your step by step tools to win the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 2 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 2

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
- proposal: 10 pages
- 6 months
- 50 000 EUR
- up to 3 coaching days
- proposal: 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 2 ABOUT?
¥ Focus on innovation activities such as demonstration, testing,
prototyping, piloting, scaling-up, miniaturisation, design, market
replication and the like; may also include some research
¥ Aim: bring an innovation idea (product, process, service etc.) to industrial
readiness and maturity for market introduction
¥ Proposals shall be based on an elaborate business plan
¥ Particular attention must be paid to IP protection and ownership
¥ Funding: between EUR 0.5 and 2.5 million
¥ Projects should last between 12 and 24 months.

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:
¥ 3 February
¥ 14 April
¥ 15 June
¥ 13 October
2017:
¥ 18 January
¥ 6 April
¥ 1 June
¥ 18 October

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 2 THRESHOLD:
¥ Impact criteria: 4/5
¥ Overall score: 12/15

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 2 PROPOSAL!
SME-2 Guidebook
SME-2 Proposal template
SME-2 Self-assessment tool
SME-2 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-2 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. Findoutmore:
www.h2020manuals.eu
store.h2020manuals.eu
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www.facebook.com/h2020manuals
+386 59 050 159
info@h2020manuals.eu