Closing the distance between academic discoveries and the market is crucial for driving innovation. In recent years, there has been a shift in the European Commission view of research: public funds need to have a clear impact on citizen lives.
This new approach has deeply affected the way researchers craft their proposals. META Group has been working for over 30 years to coach and train researchers to understand key concepts and strategies for exploiting research results and to better navigate the complexities of funding programmes like Horizon Europe. In 2024, META Group experts have opened a new training dedicated to the European Innovation Council.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is at the forefront of Europe’s innovation
Innovation and research are crucial drivers of Europe’s economic growth, competitiveness, and ability to address societal challenges. The capacity to generate and scale breakthrough technologies is essential for maintaining Europe’s leadership in key industries. By promoting a culture of innovation and supporting the translation of research into market-ready solutions, Europe can enhance its technological sovereignty, create high-quality jobs, and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
With this objective in mind, the European Innovation Council (EIC) has been established under the EU Horizon Europe programme. Divided in three main programmes, it has a budget of €10.1 billion to support transformative innovations across their entire lifecycle, from early-stage research and proof of concept to technology transfer and the financing and scaling up of start-ups and SMEs.
EIC Pathfinder
- Goal: support research teams to develop the scientific foundations for breakthrough technologies.
- Focus: earliest stages of scientific, technological, or deep-tech research and development, fostering innovative solutions that can disrupt existing markets or create new opportunities.
- Targets: deep-tech projects with significant scientific and technological ambition and risk,
- Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): 1 to 4.
- Grants: up to EUR 3 million for Pathfinder Open and EUR 4 million for Pathfinder Challenges, along with coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
- Project example: ECLIPSE, in which META Group is involved as exploitation partner.
EIC Transition
- Goal: help organisations validate and mature innovative technologies, advancing them from proof of concept to market-ready applications with strong commercial potential.
- Focus: maturation and validation of novel technologies, facilitating their transition to practical application environments
- Targets: innovation activities that goes beyond the experimental proof of principle in laboratory
- TRL: 3 to 6.
- Grants: up to EUR 2.5 million
- Project example: PHIRE project, in which META Group is the exploitation, communication, and dissemination partner.
EIC Accelerator
- Goal: develop and scaleup innovations
- Focus: innovative, game-changing products, services, or business models with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones
- Targets: start-ups and enterprises that have already proven their market viability
- TRL: 5 and above
- Grants: Up to €2.5 millions of grants, up to €15 million of equity investments, coaching & mentoring, networking.
Building capacity to write impactful research proposals for EIC funding programmes
EIC grants are known for their high level of competition. This summer, META Group launched a new training programme to empower researchers to go through the EIC funding programmes and calls. The first training was conducted at the University of Turin, supported by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo.
This course is specifically designed to equip participants with the skills needed to maximise the impact of their projects and to enhance their chances of securing EIC funding.
A key challenge researchers face is bridging the gap between their research activities and the commercialisation of their innovations. As our trainer and expert, Antonello Fiorucci noted, “It’s crucial for researchers to understand that if they are pursuing an EIC call or similar funding, their exploitation strategy must clearly focus on market entry. If their goal isn’t to sustain a market presence, they should consider different funding opportunities.” This emphasis on market orientation can be particularly challenging for the academic community, which often needs to be guided towards preparing for the commercialisation phase of their projects.
To overcome this risk, participants are introduced during a first stage to key concepts such as Key Exploitable Results (KERs), outcomes, and impacts. They learn about the necessary measures for the exploitation and dissemination of research results. The training covers the general framework of Horizon Europe and provides a detailed comparison of EIC calls with other frameworks like Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), or Innovation Actions (IA).
The second phase is a two-days intensive session where participants focuses on the “Impact” section of EIC forms (Pathfinder and Transition). They explore methodologies for identifying KERs, engaging adopters of developed solutions, and generating sustainable impact. These dedicated workshops allow researchers to apply these tools to real-world proposals, develop strategies for KER exploitation, create roadmaps, and draft dissemination plans.
In a third stage, participants engages in an advanced training session. They worked on maximising impact potential using tools like characterisation tables and lean canvas models. The training concluded with practical workshops, emphasising stakeholder engagement and the integration of their research within a broader ecosystem.
We have our feet on the ground—we’re not just delivering training, we’re also practitioners who transfer our daily experience into the training. We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we tailor our solutions to meet the specific needs of each client.”
– Antonello Fiorucci, EU funding senior expert and trainer at META Group
An holistic approach
From choosing the right programme for your needs to writing a successful Horizon Europe proposal, and effectively implementing your dissemination, exploitation and go-to-market strategies during the project lifetime, we got you covered.
META Group offers more than just a traditional training course; our services are designed to be far more comprehensive. We collaborate closely with our clients, tailoring our approach to address various objectives within their institutions. This holistic coaching experience enhances their knowledge, enabling them to create tangible added value. Our training services stand out for being custom-made, engaging and supporting our clients during the whole process, and for our real-world experience as practitioners that we transfer our trainings. Our experts will empower you to:
- Align your project objectives with your goals for maximum impact.
- Develop effective dissemination and exploitation strategies matching the requirements of the EU
- Understand the business side of research and transform your ideas into marketable products or services.
- Learn to confidently present your research findings to diverse audiences.
- Connect with industry experts and build valuable relationships.
- Develop the skills and knowledge to advance your research career.
Join our next training session!
Whether you are an individual aiming to take your proposal writing skills to the next level or a company that wants to increase its team skills, check out our upcoming training on October 22 – 23 and learn how to write a top-scoring Impact–oriented EU Horizon Europe proposal.
With the guidance of our expert trainers, this two days tailored training will guide you through the features and mandatory points of the Excellence, Impact and Implementation sections, specifically focusing on creating impact. Below is a summary of the key topics and activities covered each day:
- Day 1: Establishes the foundation for project planning, emphasising the influence of Impact on proposal design, consortium building, and avoiding common mistakes in the preparation process.
- Day 2: Focuses on maximising Impact through strategic exploitation, dissemination, and communication, with detailed guidance on drafting the “Impact” section of the proposal.
- Optional: An one-on-one session with experts, allowing participants to discuss their specific proposal applications and refine their strategies for success.
Have a look to the full programme!
Our work is the continuity of over 30 years dedicated to maximise the impact of EU research. META Group’s mission is founded on a deep belief in the transformative power of science and research to address societal and economic challenges. Achieving impact is not just a goal but a necessity in fulfilling this mission, driving innovation and fostering sustainable development across Europe. Through this focus always in mind, we continue to support researchers and institutions in turning their scientific results into tangible benefits for society.
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