Navigating Step 2: Crafting a Compelling Full Proposal for the EIC Accelerator
- Oroka
- Dec 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Congratulations! If you’ve made it past Step 1 of the EIC Accelerator process, you’re one step closer to accessing up to millions of euros in funding to scale your innovation. The full proposal—Step 2—is where you truly prove your project’s excellence, impact, and implementation potential. This phase requires you to go deep into your technology, market strategy, and execution plans, and it is often where many applications fall short.
In this article, we will guide you through crafting a winning Step 2 Full Proposal for the EIC Accelerator. With practical advice, insights into evaluator expectations, and tips for using Oroka’s Alberta platform to enhance your proposal, you’ll be well-prepared to excel.
Let’s dive in.
What is Step 2 in the EIC Accelerator Process?
The Step 2 Full Proposal is the core of the EIC Accelerator application. At this stage, you must provide a detailed and compelling case for why your innovation deserves funding. Unlike Step 1’s concise overview, Step 2 requires you to demonstrate technical, commercial, and execution feasibility.
The full proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Excellence: How innovative, disruptive, and scientifically sound is your project?
Impact: Does your innovation address market needs and deliver economic, societal, and environmental benefits?
Implementation: Is your team capable of successfully executing the project, and is your plan realistic and detailed?
Your success in Step 2 determines whether you advance to the final stage: the Jury Interview.
Step-by-Step Breakdown: Building a Winning Full Proposal
To excel in Step 2, your proposal must be thorough, structured, and evidence-backed. The process involves crafting several interconnected sections that address all aspects of your innovation and business plan. Below, we explain each key component.
1. The Executive Summary: Make a Powerful First Impression
The executive summary introduces your project to evaluators. It should be clear, concise, and engaging, summarizing the most compelling points of your proposal.
What to Include:
The problem you are solving and the magnitude of the need.
Your innovative solution and what makes it unique.
Market opportunity and expected impact.
How EIC funding will enable success.
Make sure to hook evaluators early. Keep this section high-level while hinting at the depth of the full proposal.
2. Excellence: Proving Your Innovation’s Uniqueness
The “Excellence” section focuses on the technical and scientific merit of your innovation. It should demonstrate why your project is groundbreaking and how it moves beyond the current state-of-the-art.
Key Elements:
Problem Definition: Describe the unmet need or challenge in detail.
Your Solution: Explain your technology or product and why it is innovative.
Scientific Merit and Feasibility: Use evidence (e.g., prototypes, research, data) to demonstrate feasibility.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs): Define where your project currently stands (typically TRL 5-6 at this stage) and your plan to advance to TRL 8-9.
Tips for Excellence:
Use data, graphs, and visuals to support your claims.
Avoid jargon—keep explanations clear for non-experts.
Compare your solution to existing alternatives to highlight its competitive edge.
3. Impact: Demonstrating Market Potential and Societal Value
The “Impact” section evaluates the commercial and societal benefits of your innovation. This is your opportunity to demonstrate market fit, scalability, and alignment with EU priorities.
Key Elements:
Market Analysis:
Define your target market: size, growth rate, and potential revenue.
Identify key customer segments and their pain points.
Competitive Landscape:
Analyze competitors and position your solution as the superior choice.
Commercialization Strategy:
Present your business model (e.g., B2B, licensing) and go-to-market plan.
Impact on Society and the Environment:
Align your project with EU goals, such as sustainability, job creation, and societal benefits.
Scalability:
Show how the EIC funding will enable your innovation to expand across Europe and beyond.
Tips for Impact:
Use credible data sources to back up your market projections.
Highlight any early traction or interest from customers, partners, or investors.
Align your project with initiatives like the European Green Deal or digital transformation goals.
4. Implementation: Proving Your Team and Plan Can Deliver
In the “Implementation” section, evaluators want to see a detailed and realistic plan for executing your project. This includes timelines, milestones, financials, and team capabilities.
Key Elements:
Work Packages and Milestones:
Break your project into work packages with clear deliverables.
Define measurable milestones and timelines.
Resource Allocation:
Explain how you will use EIC funds (grants and equity) to achieve project goals.
Team Strength:
Highlight the expertise of your team members and partners.
Include CVs, technical skills, and prior achievements.
Risk Management:
Identify potential risks and present mitigation strategies.
Tips for Implementation:
Use Gantt charts, timelines, and tables to illustrate your plan visually.
Keep the focus on feasibility and execution capability.
Showcase the strength of your team—evaluators look for confidence that you can deliver.
Submission and Evaluation
Once your full proposal is ready, submit it through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The proposal will undergo a rigorous evaluation process by expert reviewers who assess it against the Excellence, Impact, and Implementation criteria.
Key Points to Remember:
Make sure all sections are complete and align with EIC guidelines.
Review your proposal for consistency and clarity.
Use tools like Oroka’s Alberta platform for a final polish to ensure professional quality.
If your proposal scores well, you will be invited to Step 3: the Jury Interview, where you pitch your project to a panel of EIC-appointed experts.
How Alberta Simplifies Your Step 2 Application
Crafting a full proposal can be challenging, but Oroka’s Alberta platform simplifies the process with AI-driven tools that:
Guide Proposal Creation: Alberta walks you through the process by gathering the raw information, ensuring alignment with EIC criteria and excellent grant writing practices.
Enhance Clarity and Impact: AI suggestions help refine your content for clarity, precision, and persuasiveness.
Optimize Visuals: Alberta assists in designing professional visuals, pitch decks, and charts.
Improve Consistency: Alberta ensures a consistent tone and structure across all sections.
Using Alberta, you can create a polished and compelling full proposal that meets evaluator expectations and maximizes your chances of success.
To learn more about Alberta, visit Oroka’s website.
Final Thoughts
The Step 2 Full Proposal is your opportunity to showcase your innovation in depth and prove that your project deserves EIC Accelerator funding. By focusing on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation, and following a clear, structured approach, you can significantly improve your chances of advancing to the final stage.
Leverage tools like Oroka’s Alberta platform to streamline the process, reduce stress, and ensure your proposal is polished to perfection.
Start preparing your full proposal today and take one step closer to securing the funding needed to bring your groundbreaking innovation to the global market.
For official guidelines and resources, visit the European Innovation Council website.
