Introduction
Navigating the application process for funding opportunities like the EIC Accelerator can be a daunting task for startups and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). A critical aspect of this process is the feedback from evaluators, which has undergone notable changes in recent years. This article explores how getting written feedback from evaluators and being able to respond to them significantly alters the application process.
The Importance of Evaluator Feedback
- Insight into Evaluation Criteria: Evaluator feedback offers valuable insights into how applications are assessed. Understanding the evaluators’ perspectives on aspects like innovation, market potential, and technological feasibility can guide applicants in refining their proposals.
- Opportunity for Improvement: Detailed feedback provides specific areas for improvement. Applicants can address these areas in their resubmissions, increasing their chances of success.
- Greater Transparency: Feedback demystifies the evaluation process. Applicants get a clearer understanding of the funding body’s priorities and expectations, fostering a sense of fairness and clarity.
The Changed Dynamics of the Application Process
- Enhanced Engagement: The opportunity to receive and respond to feedback encourages a more interactive process. Applicants are no longer passive participants but engaged players who can adapt their strategies based on evaluators’ input.
- Strategic Resubmissions: Feedback allows for strategic resubmissions. Applicants can specifically target the weaknesses identified by evaluators, making their resubmission more robust and aligned with the evaluators’ expectations.
- Learning Curve: Startups and SMEs can learn from the feedback, gaining valuable insights into the funding body’s criteria. This learning curve can be pivotal for future applications, both within and outside the EIC Accelerator.
- Increased Accountability: The feedback process holds evaluators accountable for their assessments. It ensures that evaluations are thorough, fair, and provide constructive criticism.
Challenges and Considerations
- Interpreting Feedback: Understanding and effectively implementing feedback can be challenging, especially if it’s complex or technical.
- Time and Resource Constraints: Responding to feedback and preparing resubmissions require additional time and resources, which can be a strain, particularly for smaller organizations.
- Variable Evaluator Perspectives: Different evaluators may have varying opinions, leading to mixed feedback. Applicants must discern which advice to prioritize.
- Maintaining Original Vision: While addressing feedback, applicants must balance making changes with maintaining the core vision and objectives of their project.
Conclusion
Receiving and responding to evaluator feedback in the EIC Accelerator application process fundamentally changes the dynamics of grant applications. It creates a more interactive, transparent, and strategic process, though it comes with its own set of challenges. This evolution in the application process is a significant step towards a more applicant-friendly and effective funding ecosystem.
About
The articles found on Rasph.com reflect the opinions of Rasph or its respective authors and in no way reflect opinions held by the European Commission (EC) or the European Innovation Council (EIC). The provided information aims to share perspectives that are valuable and can potentially inform applicants regarding grant funding schemes such as the EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition or related programs such as Innovate UK in the United Kingdom or the Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) in the United States.
The articles can also be a useful resource for other consultancies in the grant space as well as professional grant writers who are hired as freelancers or are part of a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME). The EIC Accelerator is part of Horizon Europe (2021-2027) which has recently replaced the previous framework program Horizon 2020.
This article was written by ChatEIC. ChatEIC is an EIC Accelerator assistant that can advise on the writing of proposals, discuss current trends and create insightful articles on a variety of topics. The articles written by ChatEIC can contain inaccurate or outdated information.
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