The EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes covering areas such as:

• regional & urban development
• employment & social inclusion
• agriculture & rural development
• maritime & fisheries policies
• research & innovation
• humanitarian aid

Over 76% of the EU budget is managed in partnership with national and regional authorities through a system of "shared management", largely through 5 big funds - the Structural & Investment Funds. Collectively, these help to implement the Europe 2020 strategy.

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – regional and urban development
• European Social Fund (ESF) – social inclusion and good governance
• Cohesion Fund (CF) – economic convergence by less-developed regions
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
• European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

Other funds are managed directly by the EU. These are provided in the form of ‘grants’ for specific projects in relation to EU policies, or in the form of ‘contracts’ issued by EU institutions to buy in services, goods or works.

Yes, under Horizon 2020, more than 150 countries are eligible for funding, unless they are explicitly excluded from the call. Yet, some funds such as structural funds are only accessible for Member states.

Whether you are a small business, non-governmental organization, public organization or an individual applicant, there are specialized funding programs. The challenging part is finding the right funding program. Nowadays, EU funding programs are accessible with online applications, more detailed information on application documents are found under the selected program.  

Horizon 2020 merges the previous 3 initiatives into a single programme with simplified access. It couples research with innovation, including all forms of innovation from lab to the market.  It also focuses on societal challenges the EU public is facing, from health to clean energy and transport.

 Horizon 2020 is the largest EU Research and Innovation programme up to date.  It aims at securing EU’s global competitiveness by taking ideas from the lab to the markets, promising breakthroughs and creating economic opportunities.

Horizon 2020 merges the previous 3 initiatives into a single programme with simplified access. It couples research with innovation, including all forms of innovation from lab to the market.  It also focuses on societal challenges the EU public is facing, from health to clean energy and transport.

The total budget of Horizon 2020 is 79 Billion Euros.

All EU members,

15 Associated Countries (Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, Moldova, Switzerland (partial association), Faroe Islands, Ukraine, Tunisia, Georgia)

International Partner Countries are eligible.

For the complete list please see: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2014_2015/annexes/h2020-wp1415-annex-a-countries-rules_en.pdf

The first thing you have to do is to find a suitable call for your idea. Then you have to draft a proposal, whilst building a consortium that fits best with the needs of your project idea. Finally, when all comes together, you apply through the participant portal.

Other than receiving a major grant to implement your project, the benefits of applying to Horizon 2020 grants could be summed up by 4 points:

- Early adoption of innovative technologies

- Investing in major European research and innovation networks

- Reducing investment risks in R&I

- Maintaining EU standards

Horizon 2020 funding is composed of grants amounting 100% of the total eligible costs. Innovation actions are funded at a rate of 70%, however, non-profit institutions can receive the full 100% of costs.

You can always search for the calls through the participant portal of the European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/master_calls.html

Horizon 2020 is the most open funding programme in the world.  This means that applicants from all over the globe can participate in the programme, cooperating with their counterparts in an international setting. Furthermore, in order to encourage participation from non-EU countries, some topics have been highlighted as suitable for international cooperation. All in all, international cooperation is crucial for the Horizon 2020 objectives, making it essential for a competitive consortium.

Simply try to answer the following questions:

- What problem are you trying to solve?

- Is the knowledge/solution already available?

- Is it a European priority?

- Is it a pressing issue?

- Why are you the right person?

Depending on your project and requirements of the call, preparing a proposal can take 4 to 6 months.

It usually takes around 8 months from application to initiation. The first 5 months is the evaluation period, and the remaining 3 are to sign the grant agreement.

Projects are evaluated by independent experts.  The European Commission coordinates and oversees the procedure. The stages are:

1. Selection of Independent experts
2. Allocation of proposals to experts
3. Briefing of experts
4. Individual scoring
5. Consensus group discussion and scoring
6. Panel review

The four musts of a competitive consortium are the following:

• International Partners - At least 3 to 5 partners coming from different countries

• Capacity- Number of researchers, facilities, access to end users

• Diverse Stakeholders- SMEs, public organizations, private companies, academics…

Project Experience - Previous Framework Programmes, other European funds

If you are a Turkish institution interested in Horizon 2020, working with a TÜBİTAK qualified consultant gives you the benefit of receiving professional expertise at almost no cost. From proposal drafting to training or evaluation, the TÜBİTAK supports enable you to be reimbursed by TÜBİTAK for the services you receive. All you have to do once you submitted your Horizon 2020 proposal is to apply to TÜBİTAK for reimbursement.

If you choose to work with EUROHUB, in addition to this full reimbursement, you also receive administrative support for your reimbursement application to TÜBİTAK.

SME Instrument is a special funding scheme under Horizon 2020, dedicated to SMEs. The aim of the SME Instrument is to fill the gaps in funding for the early stages, Research and Innovation and accelerating the exploitation of innovation.

Just like Horizon 2020, you apply through the participant portal. Once you plan your cut off date, all you have to do is draft your proposal and apply before the cut off date.

There are multiple cut-off dates all year round for the SME Instrument. These dates vary depending on the call and phase you will apply. They are usually around January or February, May, September, October or November. Checking the participant portal is the safest way to make sure.

SME Instrument provides you with the funding you need to implement your project. Regardless of your size, SME Instrument helps you to make the capital investment you need to go forward with a new business idea.

SME Instrument is composed of 3 phases:

• Concept and Feasibility Assessment

The purpose of Phase 1 is to understand the technical feasibility and commercial potential of your innovative idea. Therefore, you will be required to draft an initial business proposal. The objective is to propose a new product, service or process that is innovative and has market value.

• Demonstration, Market Replication, R&D

The purpose of Phase 2 is to further develop your proposal into a sound business plan and come up with a strategy for implementation. You will be required to underline the innovation activities and how you plan on implementing them.

Furthermore, Phase 2 funding allows you to create designs and prototypes that are suitable for market replication.

• Commercialization

The Phase 3 aims to help you commercialize your product and enter the market. This is more of a consultation procedure provided by the European Commission in order to help your product become a marketable one.  This can include support for investment readiness, links to private investors, networking to find customers and application to other funding.

Phase 1: A lump sum of €50.000

Phase 2: €500.000  -  €2.500.000 (70% of eligible costs)

Phase 3:  Consultation

• 6 months for Phase 1
• 1 -2 years for Phase 2.

Zero. SME Instruments are for individual applications.

If you are a Turkish institution interested in the SME Instrument, working with a TÜBİTAK qualified consultant gives you the benefit of receiving professional expertise at almost no cost. From proposal drafting to training or evaluation, the TÜBİTAK supports enable you to be reimbursed by TÜBİTAK for the services you receive. All you have to do once you submitted your Horizon 2020 proposal is to apply to TÜBİTAK for reimbursement.

If you choose to work with EUROHUB, in addition to this full reimbursement, you also receive administrative support for your reimbursement application to TÜBİTAK.

Eurostars is a joint programme between the EU and EUREKA. It is dedicated to R&D performing SMEs. It is market-oriented and international cooperation is essential.

A total of 36 countries including EU members and Canada, Iceland, Israel, Norway, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey are eligible.

• 3-4 participants,
• 2-3 countries
• Average duration: 29 months
• Average project cost: €1.4 million

In order to apply, you need a project leader that is an R&D Performing SME. Secondly, you need at least 2 participants from at least 2 countries.  Once you have your project idea, you register through My Eurostars, complete the application form and upload the relevant annexes. Now you can submit your proposal, and you’re all done.

• Chance to do a project that is too big or costly to do alone
• Receive access to technology and know how developed by another SME
• Provide a solution to another SME
• Access skills that you haven’t already acquired
• Access new markets
• Share risks

Because Eurostars is a public-private joint funding, the funding rates vary from one country to another. Detailed information can be found on the Eurostars website.

If you are a Turkish institution interested in Eurostars, working with a TÜBİTAK qualified consultant gives you the benefit of receiving professional expertise at almost no cost. From proposal drafting to training or evaluation, the TÜBİTAK supports enable you to be reimbursed by TÜBİTAK for the services you receive. All you have to do once you submitted your Horizon 2020 proposal is to apply to TÜBİTAK for reimbursement.

If you choose to work with EUROHUB, in addition to this full reimbursement, you also receive administrative support for your reimbursement application to TÜBİTAK.