The Grant
This podcast offers guidance for researchers seeking EU funding, focusing on the challenges of preparing a successful proposal. It provides tips, tricks, and advice to navigate the tough process from idea to submission, addressing common obstacles faced by proposal preparers.
Episodes
#238 EU Funding in the Western Balkans: Building Research Capacity
EU Funding in the Western Balkans – The View from AlbaniaWith Luziana Hoxha from the Agricultural University of TiranaCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode, I’m joined by Luziana Hoxha from the Agricultural University of Tirana to look at EU funding from the perspective of Albania and the Western Balkans. Albania is associated with Horizon Europe, so on paper its universities and researcher
#237 RTOs - Bridging Research and Industry
How RTOs Turn Research into Impact – The Spanish ModelWith Patricia Castillo, Director of Impact at EurecatCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode, I’m joined by Patricia Castillo, Director of Impact at Eurecat, to explore what research and technology organisations actually do and why they occupy such an important place in Europe’s innovation ecosystem. RTOs sit between universities, companie
#236 Rethinking How to Create Lasting Impact
Rethinking Impact – From Funded Projects to Real AdoptionWith Christopher Adlung from TU DelftCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode, I’m joined by Christopher Adlung, a PhD researcher at TU Delft and a medtech entrepreneur, to rethink what impact actually means in EU-funded research and innovation. Christopher studies the adoption and scaling of telemedicine in low-resource settings, and th
#235 Supporting Young Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals with Disabilities
WIN4SMES – Supporting Young Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals with DisabilitiesTwo pilot stories from Hungary and LithuaniaCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I return to the WIN4SMES universe with a closer look at two pilot stories that deserved their own spotlight. In the first half, I speak with Tamas Rettich from the Hungarian Association of Craftsmen’s Corporations about a one-we
#234 EU Funding for Culture and Creativity
EU Funding in Culture and CreativityWith Paolo Montemurro from Matera HubCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Paolo Montemurro from Materahub to open up the European funding landscape for culture and creativity. This is a conversation I’ve wanted to do for a long time, because if you cover EU funding broadly, the cultural and creative sectors are too important to leave untouc
The Grant Collaboration - RM Framework Series (8): The Hungary Pilot
RM Framework (7) – The Hungary Pilot at Corvinus UniversityAccredited RM training, formal education and the limits of standardisationCheck out the episode websiteIn the seventh episode of the RM Framework Series, I’m joined by Associate Professor Éva Pinter and Éva Kőváriné Ignáth from Corvinus University of Budapest to explore the Hungarian pilot. Corvinus brings a very specific and valuable pers
#233 Interreg - An Introduction
Interreg – An IntroductionWith Viktoria Nilsson from Lund MunicipalityCheck out the episode website for linksIn this episode I introduce the Interreg funding scheme together with Viktoria Nilsson from Lund Municipality. Interreg is one of the EU’s oldest territorial cooperation programmes, and its core idea is both simple and important: many societal challenges are shared across borders, so neighb
#232 How Regions Build the Foundation for EU Funding
How Regions Build the Foundations for EU FundingWith Alina Totti from Provincie Noord-BrabantCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Alina Totti from Provincie Noord-Brabant to talk about how regions build the foundations that eventually lead to EU funding. Noord-Brabant is one of Europe’s most innovative regions, with strong advanced manufacturing traditions and a global indust
#231 The Widening Series (4) - Status on Widening in FP10
With Thomas Brent from Science BusinessCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Thomas Brent from Science Business for a practical status update on Widening in FP10. We go back to the roots of the debate: why Widening was created in the first place, how it was meant to help countries with weaker research capacity connect more effectively into the framework programme, and why some
#230 WIN4SMES Live from Hamburg - COVEs in Real Life
A documentary-style episode from Hamburg on vocational excellence, inclusion and SMEsCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I try something new: a documentary-style montage recorded live during a WIN4SMES event in Hamburg. Instead of one long sit-down conversation, this episode moves through soundscapes, field notes, participant voices and short interviews to give a more immediate sense of w
#229 Building Your Funding Team
Building Your Funding Team – Skills, Structure & SurvivalWith Stephanie Harfensteller and David ChristensenCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Stephanie Harfensteller and David Christensen to talk about one of the most difficult and under-discussed challenges in EU funding: how to build a funding team that actually works. Stephanie has been building up an EU funding func
#228 Explain Science (1): EV Batteries and Life Cycle Assessment
Explain Science (1) – NoVOC, Batteries & Life Cycle AssessmentWith Kristin Fransson from RISECheck out the episode website with links to webinar, scientific paper, the NoVOC project etc.In the first episode of Explain Science, I’m joined by Kristin Fransson from RISE to talk about the NoVOC project and the science of life cycle assessment in battery innovation. Kristin explains that NoVOC is w
The Grant Collaboration - RM Framework Series (7): The Spanish Pilot
Research management training, competence mapping and the quality labelCheck out the episode websiteIn the 7th episode of the RM Framework Series, I’m joined by Cristina Borrás Sardà and Cristina Bosch Pla from Generalitat de Catalunya / AGAUR to talk about the Spain pilot in the RM Framework project. We start with the training scheme they already run in Catalonia: a structured programme developed
#227 Talent Attraction to Rural Regions and EU Funding
Talent Attraction and EU Funding – A Regional Development Lens w/Maria Haglund and Nikolaj LubanskiCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Maria Haglund and Nikolaj Lubanski to talk about how talent attraction can be supported through EU funding. Maria brings the perspective of a smaller region on the west coast of Finland, where the challenge is not only retaining university st
The Grant Collaboration: PNO Innovation Series (2) - Coordinating Innovation in Bioeconomy: How Expertise Creates Stronger EU projects
Coordinating Innovation in Bioeconomy – Beyond Project Management with Anna Franciosini from PNO Innovation ItalyCheck out the episode websiteIn this second episode of the PNO Innovation Series, produced in paid collaboration with PNO Innovation, I’m joined by Anna Franciosini to talk about coordination in bioeconomy and agri-food innovation projects. Anna explains why project coordination is not
#226 Four Years of The Grant - What It Taught Me
Four Years of The Grant – Reflections on EU FundingA solo anniversary episode on pressure, change, community and what I’ve learnedCheck out the episode websiteIn this four-year anniversary episode, I take a step back from the usual guest format and reflect on what The Grant has shown me about the EU funding world. Over more than 200 episodes, I’ve spoken with grant consultants, research managers,
#225 Research Management - The Hidden Work
The Hidden Work of Research Managers w/Isabel from RISE ProcessumCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Isabel Burdallo from RISE Processum to talk about the hidden work of research managers. We start from a simple but important gap: what many people think research management is, and what it actually is in practice. From the outside, the role is often reduced to administration,
The Grant Collaboration - FUNDamentally SCIENCE: Novel MSCA PF Training Model w/Rita Gil Mata
A Novel MSCA PF Training Model – The MSCA Catalyst Approach w/Rita Gil Mata from FUNDamentally SCIENCECheck out the episode websiteIn this new episode of The Grant Collaboration, produced in paid collaboration with FUNDamentally SCIENCE, I’m joined by Rita Gil Mata to talk about a structural problem in MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships: Europe has talent, but too often the preparation system around ap
The Grant Collaboration - The ENCO Series (3): Measuring What Matters: Sustainability, Value and Long-Term Impact
Life Cycle Assessment in EU Projects – Sustainability by Design w/Mirko Busto from ENCO ConsultingCheck out the episode websiteIn this final episode of The ENCO Series produced in paid collaboration with ENCO Consulting, I’m joined by Mirko Busto to talk about life cycle assessment and why it has become such an important part of EU-funded research and innovation. Mirko explains that sustainability
#224 Navigating Many Funding Schemes
Strategy, partnerships and proposal work with limited resourcesCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Alessio Caracci from Unknown Group to talk about what it really means to work across multiple funding schemes at the same time. Alessio’s role touches different parts of the organisation — the university, the campus and startup-related activities — so he has to navigate very di
#223 Beyond Traditional Dissemination
How EU projects can move from visibility to real use and impactCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode of The Grant, I’m joined by Borut Razbornik for a conversation about dissemination in EU projects — and why the traditional approach often does not work.We talk about the difference between simply making a project visible and actually getting people to use, adopt or engage with the results.
The Grant Collaboration - ENCO Series (2): Maximising Impact Through Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
How ENCO works with visibility, stakeholder engagement and market uptakeCheck out the episode websiteIn this second of the ENCO Series, produced in paid collaboration with ENCO Consulting, I’m joined by Rosanna Buonfiglio and Marco de la Feld to talk about one of the most important but often blurred areas in EU projects: communication, dissemination and exploitation. We unpack the differences betw
#222 Young Professionals in EU Funding
Young Professionals in EU Funding – Careers, Challenges & Growth w/Oliver Cressall from VenturenomixCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Oliver Cressall from Venturenomix to talk about young professionals in EU funding. Oliver shares what it feels like to enter the field from the proposal support side — helping with consortium building, partner coordination and the admini
#221 Better Proposals - Impact, Training & Research Communication
Better Grant Proposals – Impact, Training & Research CommunicationCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Elaine Massung, founder of Academic Smartcuts, to talk about how researchers can write better grant proposals and communicate their ideas more effectively. Elaine has worked as a researcher, postdoc, funding agency professional at EPSRC and now as an independent trainer.
The Grant Collaboration: ENCO Series (1) In Tune with Your Ideas - Our role as European Projects Consultants
How consultants translate innovation into strong EU proposalsCheck out the episode websiteIn this first episode of the ENCO Series, produced in paid collaboration with ENCO Consulting, I’m joined by Antonietta Pizza to talk about the consultant perspective on proposal writing. We unpack what European project consultants actually do beyond the clichés: finding the right call, understanding the inno
#220 A Book on Diversity Leadership in Research Management
A book conversation on diversity literacy, leadership and global researchCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Jakob Feldtfos Christensen, Director of DIVERSIuniTY and co-host of the Diversity in Research Podcast, to talk about his new book: Diversity Leadership in Research Management: A Practical Guide. We unpack why he felt the need to write it now: research management is ma
#219 Erasmus+ Therapy Session: New Audit Regime
Erasmus+ Audits – Lump Sums, Fear & Audit CultureAn Erasmus+ Therapy panel on compliance, trust and what must changeCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined again by Henriette Hansen, Daiana Huber and Alessandro Melillo for another Erasmus+ Therapy session — this time focused entirely on audits. We talk about a feeling many practitioners will recognise: that the audit discourse
#218 Hydrogen Valleys - Large Scale Horizon
BalticSeaH2, project implementation and the future of hydrogen in EuropeCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Susanna Kupiainen from CLIC Innovation in Finland to talk about hydrogen valleys through the lens of one of the most ambitious projects in Europe: BalticSeaH2. Susanna explains the valley concept in practical terms: bringing hydrogen production, transport and multiple
The Grant Collaboration: PNO Innovation Series (1) - Decarbonising Industry: The Story Behind the PYROCO2 Project
Scale-up, impact, replication and the long road after submissionCheck out the episode websiteThe Grant has established a collaboration with PNO Innovation Italy. In the first episode of this PNO Innovation Series I’m joined by Francesca Di Bartolomeo from SINTEF and Anna Franciosini from PNO Innovation Italy to talk about what happens after a strong EU proposal gets funded. We use PyroCO2 as the c
#217 EU Funding in Municipalities - Supporting Sustainability
Power-to-X, green growth, infrastructure and local strategyCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Hanne Klintøe, Head of PtX Development in Aabenraa Municipality, to talk about how a local authority works with EU funding, investment attraction and green growth in practice. Aabenraa is building around Power-to-X, renewable energy and strong transport and port infrastructure — bu
#216 Brilliant Research - Missed Funding
How UMCG helps researchers move from reactive to strategic grant planningCheck out the episode websiteIn this week's episode I’m joined by Eszter Ashlock-Kéthelyi, Laura Damiano and Miriam Boersema from the UMCG Grant Office to talk about a challenge that sits underneath many failed proposals: not weak science, but weak planning. We explore why researchers often apply for the grants that happe
The Grant Collaboration: RM Framework Series (6) - The NARMA Pilot
Using a national RM programme to test the handbook in practiceCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode 6th episode in RM Framework Series I am joined by Nicole Elgueta Silva and Hiwa Målen from NARMA – the Norwegian Association of Research Managers and Administrators to talk about one of the pilots in the RM Framework project. NARMA has been running a national training and capacity-building pr
#215 Erasmus+ Therapy Session: Evaluation Results
Erasmus+ Therapy – Rising Proposals & Harsh EvaluationsA panel on frustration, burnout and what needs to changeCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Henriette Hansen, Daiana Huber and Alessandro Melillo for what we ended up calling “Erasmus+ Therapy Session”. Over the last two calls, many in the community have seen record-high proposal numbers, tougher evaluations and reje
#214 Cleantech in Central & Eastern Europe - Funding Reality and Gaps
Clean Tech in CEE – Funding, Gaps & Policy ShiftsSlovenia, Innovation Fund, widening, deep tech and raw materialsCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Nina Meglič, director of ACT-SI – Association CleanTech Slovenia, project manager at a deep tech spin-out from the National Institute of Chemistry and part of the national contact point team for the STEP platform on strategi
#213 From Innovation to Real Impact: Why EU Projects Struggle to be Adopted
Impact in EU Projects – From Innovation Theatre to AdoptionWhy so many results die after funding, and what must changeCheck out the episode site with more informationIn this episode I’m joined by Jorge Gonzalez, director of Ticbiomed in Spain, to talk about impact in EU projects – not as a buzzword in a template, but as the messy reality after the pilot ends. Jorge has worked in more than 20 EU pr
#212 Career Change in Research Management w/ Marina Kliuchko
Juniors in Research Management – Between Research and SupportLeaving research, identity, skills and the job market realityCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Marina Kliuchko, who has done “everything right” in research – biology degree, PhD in psychology/brain science, several postdocs and big collaborative projects – and is now in a transition towards research support and a
#211 Micro-credentials in Erasmus+ w/Daiana Huber and Samuel Bogdan
Microcredentials in Erasmus+ – Concept, Policy & PracticeLearning outcomes, assessment and making it work in real projectsCheck out the episode siteIn this episode I’m joined by Daiana Huber and Samuel Bogdan to talk about micro-credentials – a term that now pops up in Erasmus+ calls, policy papers and conferences, but is still fuzzy for many of us. Daiana starts from the pedagogical side: wha
#210 Proposal Writing in Small Organisations
Proposal writing, project delivery, compliance and the human impactCheck out the episode siteIn this episode I’m joined by Chiara Liguori to talk about Erasmus+ from the perspective of small organisations, where a “team” can mean two paid staff and a group of volunteers. Chiara’s career started in a Brussels-based youth NGO working on Erasmus+ with just a Secretary General, herself and sometimes a
The Grant Collaboration: RM Framework Series (5) - The Pilot Concept
Validation, diversity and learning with real training providersCheck out the episode websiteIn this fifth episode of the RM Framework Series, I’m joined by Marcos Gomes, Research and Innovation Manager at the University of Coimbra and co-lead of the RM Framework pilot work package. Marcos explains why the consortium made pilot testing a central activity: the new handbook for research management tr
#209 Well-being of Project Managers w/Alessandro Carbone
Stress, boundaries and sustainable ways of running EU projectsCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Alessandro Carbone to talk about a side of EU projects that rarely appears in work plans: the well-being of project managers. We look at why this role sits in a permanent pressure zone – between funders, coordinators, partners, finance, HR and researchers – and how that plays ou
#208 The SET Plan and EU Funding w/Eric Lecomte (EU Commission)
The SET Plan & EU Funding – Inside the Machine RoomHow EU energy R&I priorities are made, funded and implementedCheck out the episode websiteIn this episode I’m joined by Eric Lecomte from the European Commission’s DG Energy – the first time I’ve had a Commission representative on the podcast – to unpack the SET Plan, or Strategic Energy Technology Plan, and its role in EU funding. Eric ex
#207 Supporting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Supporting Postdoctoral Fellowships at FAU’s EU Research OfficeMasterclasses, proposal review, internal services and rising competitionCheck out the episode siteIn this episode I’m joined by Svenja Talv and Martina May, who run the EU research office at FAU (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg). We start with the backstory: how FAU’s leadership decided to set up a dedicated EU pre-a
#206 Idea Development Workshop (3): Building the Project Concept
From Bird View clusters to objectives, WPs and a realistic structureCheck out the episode siteIn this third and final episode of the Idea Development Workshop series, I’m joined by Ana-Marija Špicnagel (IPS Konzalting) to build what we call the project spine of a Horizon Europe proposal. We start from where episode 2 left off – with a Bird View canvas full of challenges, opportunities, stakeholde
#205 Idea Development Workshop (2) - The Bird View Canvas Model
Idea Development Workshop (2) – Outlining the canvas modelObjectives, outcomes, logic and what belongs in your Horizon ideaMore info and presentation: https://www.thegrant.eu/204-206In this second episode of the Idea Development Workshop mini-series, I’m back with Ana-Marija Špicnagel (IPS Konzalting) for an episode where Ana will share the and explain the canvas model she is using for idea develo
#204 Idea Development Workshop (1) - Call Text Analysis
Idea Development Workshop (1) – Reading a Horizon Europe CallBudgets, outcomes, scope and decoding the fine printHere you find all the information you need for this episodeIn this first episode of this three-part Idea Development Workshop mini-series, I sit down with Ana-Marija Špicnagel (IPS Konzalting) to take the time to read and analyse a Horizon Europe call text, line by line. Using an old Ho
The Grant Collaboration: RM Framework Series (4) - The Handbook Concept
The RM Training Handbook – from competences to programmesProgramme guides, RMComp clustering and a living European standardMore: www.thegrant.eu/rm4This episode in the RM Framework Series is all about the handbook for research management training providers. I’m joined by Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele and Niklas Rauterberg (CHE – Centre for Higher Education), who lead the handbook work package in the Hor
The Grant Collaboration: AAU Missioner - Når projekter får fælles retning
Missioner på AAU – fra strategi til hverdagspraksisSeed funding, impact frameworks og projektportefølje i et missionsdrevet universitetMere information: www.thegrant.eu/aau-missionsDette afsnit er lavet i samarbejde med Aalborg Universitet.Aalborg Universitet har de seneste år truffet et klart valg: AAU vil arbejde missionsdrevet og samle kræfterne om udvalgte missioner, hvor store samfundsudfordr
#203 Erasmus+ at Breaking Point - An Overloaded System w/Roberto Zanon
Erasmus+ Rising Proposals, Falling Success RatesData, AI, evaluators and the future of proposal-based fundingMore: www.thegrant.eu/205In this episode I’m joined by Roberto Zanon (Solvere) to dig into what’s actually happening with Erasmus+ success rates. Roberto has analysed national agency and centralised call data and the picture is stark: in just a couple of years, success rates have collapsed
#202 IP in Projects (Part 2) - The Implementation Series
IP in Projects (Part 2) — damage control in real lifeAI tools, ownership claims, documentation & dispute resolutionMore: www.thegrant.eu/201-202In 2nd half of this episode on IP in projects, I continue the conversation with Juan Luis Rodríguez Quintero (RTDS Group) looking at IP once things get messy: ownership claims, conflicts, blocking patents and results nobody planned for in the grant. We
#201 IP in Projects (part 1)- The Implementation Series (14)
IP in Projects — the hard part after grant signatureConsortium agreements, background, access rights, patents vs publicationsMore: www.thegrant.eu/201This episode is a practical guide to IP in project implementation with Juan Luis Rodríguez Quintero (RTDS Group). We start with the consortium agreement: why it’s the day-to-day rulebook, how to document background in Attachment 1 (including restrict
200th Episode Anniversary
Episode 200 — Guest reflections & the power of conversationWhat it felt like to be on The Grant, what they learnt, and why it worksLink to episode websiteI used the opportunity for an in-person recording at The Grant Meet-Up in September 2025 in the midst of chats and drinks with a group of dedicated listeners to celebrate 200 episodes . I brought back two former guests - Angels Orduna, Execut
The Grant Collaborations: RM Framework Series (3) - The Ecosystem of Research Management
The Research Management Ecosystem — what it is and why it mattersRMcomp, roles & skills, and a practical path to European-level trainingLink to episode siteWhat does the research management ecosystem look like in Europe—and why does it vary so much by country and institution? In this episode I’m joined by Frank Ziegele (CHE - Higher Education Management and Policy) and Henning Rickelt (Center
#199 Finding the Partners w/ Niels Tudor-Vinther
Finding the Partners — a practical playbook for EU proposalsCORDIS, brokerage & LinkedIn sourcing; shortlisting; outreach that gets repliesLink to episode websiteFinding partners—without wasting weeks. In this solo episode I break down exactly how I source reliable EU project partners: start broad with CORDIS and old brokerage/matchmaking sites, scan funded projects and call topics, then narro
#198 FP10 Briefing w/Science|Business
FP10, decoded with Science|Business editors Goda Naujokaitytė and Florin Zubascu. For applicants, research managers and policy folks: budget scenarios, Pillar II’s tie to ECF, governance/committees, ERC/MSCA signals, bottom-up vs top-down, and how MFF shapes call design and success rates.Link to episode websiteWe separate rumours from reality on budget levels, how Pillar II could connect to the Eu
#197 Collaboration Architecture (part 2) - The Implementation Series (13)
Episode siteHere in the second half of the episode on collaboration architecture, Monica Expositor-Glasco looks ahead: as AI tools make “near-perfect” proposals commonplace, the real competitive edge shifts from what you promise on paper to how your consortium proves it delivers together. We discuss why evaluator attention will increasingly gravitate to team track record, collaboration culture and
#196 Collaboration Architecture (part 1) - The Implementation Series (12)
Episode siteBuilding a strong connection - at the social level - is one of the most important things in the implementation of an EU project. Mónica Expositor Blasco is an expert on this and therefor a natural expert guest for my episode on social elements when implementing EU projects in my Implementation Series. There were many things to discuss, so this episode is divided into two episodes.In th
#195 Research Management Series (6): Ensuring Long-term Sustainability
Episode siteIn this sixth episode in the Research Management Shorts Series, that I do together with Stephanie Harfensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, we explore how you sustain a research management strategy once the initial build is done. We get concrete about monitoring and evaluation: tracking the smooth handling of proposals and projects through trained admin capacity
#194 Proposal Writing - The Good Story or Technical Details?
Episode siteIn this episode I bring together two vantage points on EU proposal writing: exprienced grant proposal writer Diana Huber and expert evaluator Christine Cieslak. We explore the permanent tension for a proposal writer: focus on creative storytelling or technical aspects - and why the answer isn’t either/or but a disciplined both/and. Diana argues that strong proposals begin before writin
The Grant Collaboration: #2 RM Framework Series - State-of-the-art in Research Management Trainings
Episode siteIn episode #2 of this RM Framework Series, I have Anna Royon-Weigelt (ZWM - Center for Science and Research Management in Germany) in the virtual podcast studio to outline the current state-of-the-art in research management across Europe. We exchange on how research management roles differ widely between institutions and countries - pre-award vs. post-award boundaries, “third-space” id
#193 Human Skills in Research Management
Episode siteIn this episode, I sit down with Viltaré Platzner, Head of the Centre of EU Projects at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, to talk about the human side of research management. We unpack the real day-to-day: reading people, building trust with PIs and partners, handling silence and conflict in consortia, and staying resilient when Horizon proposals miss by a whisker. Vil
#192 Facilitating Dissemination and Exploitation - The Widening Series (3)
Episode siteIt is time for another episode in The Widening Series where I have science journalist Thomas Brent as co-host. For this one we have invited Katarzyna Walczyk-Matuszyk - coordinator of the wideraAdvance Facility and long-time advocate for widening participation in EU research - into the virtual podcast studio. Together we zoom in on what dissemination and exploitation (D&E) really l
#191 Research Management Series (5): Integrating Impact Thinking
Episode siteIn this fifth episode of the Research Management Shorts Series, I continue my conversation with Stephanie Harfensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, to explore how you embed sustainability and impact thinking in research strategy. Stephanie shares how her institute aligns all EU funding efforts with a long-term goal: enabling value-creating circular economy syste
#190 IP in Proposals - The Timeline Series (27)
Episode siteIn this episode of The Grant, I’m joined by Juan Luis Rodrigues Quintero from RTDS Group to dive into a sometimes underestimated element of EU proposals: intellectual property (IP). Juan brings practical insights from years of proposal writing and implementation support, showing how IP is about much more than legal jargon - it’s about safeguarding your innovation and ensuring your cons
#189 Consortium Meetings - The Implementation Series (11)
Episode siteIn this new episode in The Implementation Series, I have invited in Nicole Schmidt from EUTEMA to share her insights on consortium meetings. These meetings are rarely just about reporting—they’re where the real dynamics of a project come into play. Nicole brings her long-standing experience in proposal writing and project implementation to the table, reflecting on how roles are clarifi
#188 Implementation Challenges in EIC Accelerator - SME Series (3)
Episode siteIn this third episode of our SME Series, I speak with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa, an experienced EU funding professional and consultant, about one of the most complex and under-discussed topics in implementation: financial rules, and especially the lump sum model. We unpack how the lump sum rules - designed to simplify - can have the opposite effect for beneficiaries, particularly SM
The Grant Collaboration: #1 RM Framework Series - The Introduction
Episode siteThe Grant and the RM Framework project funded under Horizon Europe has joined a partnership. Over the next 1½ The Grant will support the consortium developing 15 podcast episodes in its own dedicated series exploring and sharing project activities. This episode kicks off the collaboration series. I of course have the project coordinator Nik Claesen, Managing Director of EARMA, in for
#187 Research Management Series (4): Capacity Building and Training
Episode siteIn this fourth episode of the Research Management Shorts Series, I continue my conversation with with Stephanie Hafensteller, EU Research Coordinator at FIR an der RWTH Aachen, to dive into capacity building and training in EU research management. Stephanie shares how FIR’s model, where PhD candidates leave after four-and-a-half years, has sparked the need to preserve and structure ins
#186 How to Fail a Proposal (Part 2)
Episode siteIn this second half of the episode "How to Fail a Proposal" together freelance consultant Marie Prouteau. Last week we talked about the conditions as a proposal writer. Here we dig into what it really means to fail an EU funding proposal. Departing from a fantastic viral LinkedIn post Marie made on failing proposals, we go beyond the emotional rollercoaster of proposal writing and into
#185 How to Fail a Proposal (Part 1)
Link to the episode websiteLink to Marie's LinkedIn post In this episode, I have the great freelance EU grant consultant Marie Prouteau in the virtual podcast studio, who was one of my first guests. Some time ago she made a popular LinkedIn post on how to utterly fail a proposal inspired - this inspired the theme of our discussion. We use her post as a starting point to explore the emotional r
#184 Dressing Up Project Managers - The PM Agora Initiative
Episode notesIn this episode of The Grant Podcast, I sit down with three inspiring guests - Christina Achilleos (Founder & Director, InnoEUsphere), Alessandro Carbone (Owner, T-Hap), and Andreas Stefanidis (President, Academy of Entrepreneurship & Educational Association of Athens) - to talk about PM Agora, a grassroots initiative created by and for EU project managers. PM Agora isn’t fund
#183 Finding the Coordinator
Episode siteIn this solo episode, I dive deep into one of the most challenging yet crucial parts of proposal development: finding a coordinator. After years of working across EU R&D funding as an NCP, proposal consultant, and industry representative, I’ve realized that identifying and securing the right coordinator can make or break a project. Whether you're early in your planning phase or alr
#182 Research Management Series (3): Networking
Episode siteIn this episode of The Grant Podcast, I continue the Research Management Shorts Series together with Stephanie Harfensteller from FIR an der RWTH Aachen. This time we zoom in on networking. We are sharing the lessons we have both learned the hard way - how years of info-meetings and matchmaking event attendance and unstructured contacts eventually shaped a more structured approach to
#181 Industrial Symbiosis and EU Funding - The Umeå Case
Episode siteIn this episode I have a talk with Erik Eklund from the Strategic Department of the Municipality of Umeå to explore how a local government can work strategically with EU funding. Erik shares how his team approaches EU projects not just as funding opportunities, but as tools for building long-term local capacity and driving political and organisational development. We dig into how Umeå
#180 When to fire your client - The Consultant-Client Relationship
In this episode I am joined by Director Ana-Marija Špicnagel to unpack the dynamic between consultants and clients in the EU proposal space. From proposal writing to project management and reporting, consultants play a vital role - but the relationship can be delicate. Ana-Marija offers an honest and reflective take on how trust is built, how expectations are managed, and why good consulting is as
#179 Communication and Dissemination - The RTO Perspective
Episode siteIn this episode I have Stephanie Fulda, Head of Communication at the RTO nova-Institut, to explore the RTO perspective of communication and dissemination in EU-funded projects. Stephanie shares how her team supports Horizon Europe consortia through tailored dissemination strategies, impactful engagement, and creative content development. With decades of experience and a strong track re
#178 Organisational Framework - Research Management Shorts Series (2)
Episode siteIn episode #178 of The Grant, we continue the Research Management Shorts series by focusing on how to build an effective organizational framework for research management teams. Niels is joined again by Stefanie, who walks us through the process of shaping team roles, navigating silos, and building strong internal collaboration. The episode underscores the importance of strategic role d
#177 Freelancers in EU Projects - SME Series (2)
Episode siteThis is the second episode in my SME Series that I do together with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa - an expert in legal and financial management of EU projects — to explore the tricky subject of freelancers and their eligibility under Horizon Europe. She unpacks what it really means to classify someone as a freelancer under personal costs, clarifying that the European Commission uses the
#176 The Widening Series (2) - Widening Projects
Episode siteIn this Widening Series episode, my co-host Thomas Brent and I explore how EU Widening measures are implemented in practice and the impact they can have on research excellence and collaboration. This time we have two guests: Katalin Oborni from the HETFA Research Institute in Hungary, and Viltaré Platzner from Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. They share hands-on experienc
#175 EUREKA - An Introduction
Episode siteFor a long time I have wanted to present the funding schemes from EUREKA, because they have very popular funding schemes for SMEs. I managed to get Camilla Del Latte from the EUREKA Secretariat onboard - and even for an in-person recording in Brussels back in April 2025.Unlike many EU programmes, EUREKA is built on intergovernmental collaboration, allowing countries to co-fund innovati
#174 Communication Shorts - How hard can it be? (part 2)
Episode siteIn the closing bonus episode, Casper and I dive deeper into what separates good communication from great. We explore cultural nuance, consistency in tone, creative content delivery, and the irreplaceable value of trained communicators. Using real-life metaphors and practical examples, the duo push for a shift in mindset: from vanity metrics to real engagement, from generic posts to emo
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