Understanding whether a project qualifies for public funding is the first step toward a successful application. EU, national, and regional programmes follow clear eligibility rules that determine who can apply, how proposals must be structured, and what impact they must deliver.
Funding Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicant Types
Most programmes accept:
- public bodies
- SMEs and micro-businesses
- private companies
- non-profits and associations
- universities and research organisations
- in some calls, large enterprises
Eligibility always depends on the specific programme. Some opportunities are SME-only, while others target research consortia or public institutions.
Geographic Requirements
Applicants must typically be based in:
- an EU Member State, or
- an associated country (varies by programme)
National and regional schemes may further limit eligibility to organisations operating within their territory.
Thematic & Sector Alignment
A project must clearly match the scope of the funding line, such as:
- digital transformation and cybersecurity
- clean energy and sustainability
- AI and emerging technologies
- health, culture, or green transition
Project Scope & Impact
Funding bodies expect measurable impact:
- EU-level calls often require cross-border collaboration (e.g., min. three partners from different countries)
- national calls focus on local or regional benefit
Innovation & Feasibility
Projects should demonstrate:
- clear innovation or technical advancement
- appropriate maturity (TRL levels for technology projects)
- feasibility within the proposed timeline and budget
Compliance & Sustainability
Projects must align with EU standards on:
- health and safety
- environmental protection
- ethics and gender equality
- responsible resource use
Sustainability and contribution to EU policy priorities are frequently part of the evaluation.
Consortium Requirements
Research and collaborative programmes such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, Digital Europe, or Interreg often require:
- a minimum number of partners
- representation from different countries
- balanced expertise across the consortium
How Funding Eligibility Is Evaluated
Initial Screening
Review of applicant type, geographic location, and alignment with the criteria of each funding programme.
Fit-to-Fund Analysis
Identification of the best-matching programmes, such as:
- Horizon Europe (research & innovation)
- European Innovation Council (startups & scale-ups)
- LIFE Programme (environment & climate)
- Digital Europe (AI, cybersecurity, digital capacity)
- ESF+, Interreg, and national digital-transformation grants
Consortium & Partnership Matching
Assessment of existing or potential partners to ensure:
- geographic coverage
- technical and organisational balance
- complementary roles for work packages
Project Readiness Assessment
Evaluation of:
- technological maturity (TRL)
- innovation strength
- sustainability impact
- alignment with the call text and evaluation criteria
Funding Strategy Design
Definition of:
- the best funding lines
- proposed work packages
- timeline
- budget
- application narrative
Our End-to-End Funding Support
Your funding process becomes clear and structured from the first call to final reporting.
Call Scanning & Alerts
Continuous monitoring of relevant EU, national, and regional opportunities.
Eligibility Validation
Assessment of applicant eligibility and project compliance with formal criteria.
Consortium Building
Support in identifying and connecting with suitable European partners.
Proposal Drafting & Budgeting
Preparation of all application documents, including technical descriptions, work packages, KPIs, and budgets.
Submission & Follow-Up
Portal submission, evaluator Q&A, and negotiation support where required.
Implementation Support
Assistance with grant management, reporting, audits, amendments, and KPI tracking.
Your Funding Journey With Us
- Discovery Call & Project Brainstorm
- Eligibility Scan & Fit Assessment
- Funding Strategy & Timeline Mapping
- Consortium Setup & Partnerships
- Proposal Writing & Submission
- Approval, Implementation & Reporting
