#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 record in bioeconomy-focused initiatives, nova-Institut’s communication team plays a key role in ensuring project results are not just published—but understood, shared, and used.In the discussion we cover both the proposal and implementation phases, highlighting challenges such as copy-paste dissemination plans, the need for stronger internal collaboration, and effective engagement through channels like LinkedIn. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of working closely with partners, maintaining flexibility, and continuously learning from data-driven social media monitoring. We add some practical examples and thoughtful insights to give some essential takeaways for communication professionals and coordinators alike striving to increase project impact in EU research and innovation.Time codes:00:01:58 Introduction00:04:20 Fly in00:07:22 About Nova Institute00:13:50 Proposal development phase00:31:30 Implementation phase01:01:00 Tips, tricks, do's and don't's01:05:52 The toughest challenge
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#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 distribution, complementarity, and allowing space for new team members to co-develop work dynamics organically.The conversation also dives into timeline development, the value of agile methods, and how to create quick wins without losing sight of long-term goals. Stefanie shares how breaking down strategy into manageable projects and involving wider institutional resources can ease implementation. Internal communication and inclusive processes are key, with real-world examples of using feedback loops, Teams channels, and collaborative knowledge systems. The episode is packed with hands-on lessons for small, evolving teams working to structure research support from scratch.Time codes:00:00:36 The Grant Meet-Up sound bite00:04:25 Introduction00:05:30 Who's doing what?00:13:39 Working with a timeline00:27:18 Frame for internal communication
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#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 term "natural persons" rather than "freelancers." Alicia highlights key eligibility rules including supervision requirements, IP rights, teleworking policies, remuneration structures, and the critical need for accurate time recording.In the episode we dig into practical examples and explains how national employment laws may clash with Horizon Europe’s rules—especially in countries like Spain, where false self-employment is heavily scrutinized. Alicia provides hands-on advice for SMEs and freelancers alike, stressing the importance of contract clauses, clear remuneration terms, and the value of working with experts. The discussion is not only about compliance but about minimizing audit risks and making strategic decisions for smooth project implementation. Time codes:00:02:05 Introduction00:04:54 Fly in00:06:21 Freelancer eligibility and project costing00:23:07 Practical advice for freelancers00:34:51 The toughest challenge
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 innovation projects outside of traditional EU structures. Camilla takes us all through three EUREKA key funding schemes: Eurostars, Innowwide and Fast track to EIC Accelerator. We run schematically through the structure of the programmes, target grous, how to apply, evaluation regime, what happens when funding is received and finally of course some do's and don't's.Excellent for everybody approaching the EUREKA funding schemes!Time codes:00:01:49 Introduction00:04:39 Fly in on EUREKA00:10:24 EU and EUREKA00:16:55 Structure of programme00:38:57 Target groups00:40:08 How to apply00:54:46 Evaluation01:09:09 When receiving funding01:12:01 Do's and don't's01:16:29 The toughest challenge
Getting EU funding for your research project idea is great, but the process from project idea to submission of the full proposal is rough and tough. 20.000 proposals are submitted every year and every single one of these preparations goes through many challenges. Most of these challenges have the same overall characteristics, that can be minimized or eliminated by being aware of them already when starting the proposal process. This podcast is for proposals preparers looking for tips, tricks, advice or just an audible pad on the shoulder to deal with the unavoidable tough work
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