One of the key considerations when applying for EU funding is determining the available funding amount and whether co-financing is required. The answer depends on the type of grant, the project’s stage, and the funding structure.
100% Grants (No Co-financing required)
Some EU programs cover all project costs, meaning your business does not need to provide additional funding. These are typically:
Partial Co-financing (50–70% covered by the EU, business covers the rest)
Many grants require companies to co-finance a portion of the costs, especially as projects move closer to commercialization. Typical funding structures:
Equity & blended finance (Grant + Investment Model)
Some EU programs combine grants with equity investment, requiring private co-funding to match EU investment. These are ideal for:
Securing EU funding doesn’t mean you have to shoulder all the costs alone. Civitta assists businesses in structuring funding strategies to minimize upfront investment, optimize co-financing, and maximize grant potential.
EU funding is highly competitive, and only the most compelling applications succeed. To maximize your chances, your proposal must go beyond a great idea—it needs to be strategic, well-structured, and aligned with EU priorities.
Based on our experience, here are the key success factors that make an EU funding application stand out:
EU grants prioritize projects that drive groundbreaking innovation and have the potential for scalability beyond local markets. Your proposal should clearly outline:
Tip: Programs like EIC Accelerator require proof that your solution has real commercial potential. Including letters of interest from potential customers or partners strengthens your case.
Your project must contribute to the EU’s long-term policy goals. The strongest proposals align with:
Tip: Clearly show how your project aligns with EU strategies like the Green Deal, Digital Europe, or Horizon Europe’s mission-driven goals.
EU grants are designed not only to fund research but to support solutions that are sustainable beyond the project’s lifespan. Your application should clearly demonstrate:
Tip: Some programs, like EIC Accelerator Blended Finance, require businesses to demonstrate private investment potential—so having a co-financing strategy can improve your chances.
Funding bodies invest in both people and projects. Your application should emphasize:
Tip: If there are skill gaps, consider hiring experts or partnering with organizations that complement your expertise.
Many EU programs favor projects that involve cross-border cooperation, bringing together SMEs, corporations, universities, and research institutions from multiple EU countries. Strong applications:
Tip: If you don’t yet have partners, consider joining existing consortia or working with Civitta to build strategic partnerships.
The best applications are not just well-written—they are strategically positioned to win. Civitta helps businesses structure their proposals to maximize impact, meet EU expectations, and secure funding successfully.
EU-funded projects come with strict rules and reporting obligations, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and transparently. While this can seem bureaucratic, proper planning and expert guidance can make implementation smooth.
Once funding is secured, beneficiaries must comply with several administrative and reporting requirements, which can include:
Financial management & cost justification
Progress reporting & deliverables
Milestone-based fund disbursement
Compliance with EU regulations
The complexity depends on the type of funding and project size:
For first-time EU funding recipients, managing compliance can be challenging without expert support.
At Civitta, we provide end-to-end project management support to ensure seamless compliance, financial tracking, and reporting, so you can focus on executing your project.