EU grants – a bogeyman for some, a huge opportunity for others. But how do you navigate them? If you’ve ever opened European calls and found yourself clueless about what all those acronyms, TRL levels, or “impact” mean, you’re certainly not alone. That’s why there’s INOFEST workshop, which will show that the grant world doesn’t have to be so scary when you know where to start and what to focus on.
Discussing this will be Matej Novotný (BALTEUS), Ivan Filus (BIC Bratislava) and Martin Krug (CVTI SR) – people who daily address the questions of innovative companies and know what truly works for European grants. At INOFEST, they will share their experiences, highlight the most common mistakes, and offer tricks on how to approach grants strategically.
What to expect? A practical overview of funding opportunities for higher TRL projects, from cascade funding through EIT programs to Horizon Europe. You will learn when it makes sense to approach an investor and when it’s better to try for a grant, how to choose a suitable call, and how to prepare a successful application. And so you don’t get lost in the maze of programs, you will also receive a grant map, which will make orientation easier for you.
This workshop is perfectly suited for innovators, startups, and established companies who want to take their ideas further – from concept to project to real funding from European sources.
How to Navigate Grants?
Grants are not just “free money”. They are tools that can help you take a project to a completely different level – but only if you know how to use them. Initially, it’s important to realize that grants are more about strategy and a long-term vision than about quick money gains. As Matej Novotný from BALTEUS:
“Have a clear idea and strong motivation for a long-term innovation strategy with an emphasis on internationalization. And patience.” – Matej Novotný
It’s crucial to think about grants strategically, not just chase funding. You need a clear vision of where you want to take your company, and patience, because the process can be lengthy, especially if you’re a newcomer.
Initial Analysis and Common Mistakes
If you are not sure if you have a chance for a grant, start with an initial potential analysis. This step will help you get oriented and prepare the project to have a real chance of success. Matej explains:
“Fill out our questionnaire about the current situation in your organization (approximately 30 minutes). Subsequently, we will arrange a workshop at your location (approximately 3 hours), which we will prepare to better understand your situation and needs. After the workshop, we will process the current opportunities for your organization along with a long-term strategy proposal – we will evaluate the innovation potential and propose specific grant support options,” clarifies Matej.
The initial analysis is also ideal for uncovering common mistakes:
“The project is not thought through in depth. Especially with newcomers to Horizon Europe, we find that they tend to prepare grant applications without thorough initial analysis (e.g., S-O-T-A) and plan such analyses only if the grant is approved. One must be careful not to write a project just for the sake of it, just to get money, but to approach it as support for real and meaningful activities, ” explains Matej.
Another key aspect is partnership. Don’t have partners for an international project? Matej recommends: “There are various tools for ‘partner search’. At the same time, we also use our internal database of foreign partners with whom we have long-term collaborations.”
The difference between a one-off grant and systematic fundraising lies precisely in the experience and synergistic effect of follow-up projects: “Leveraging the experience and energy invested in previous projects and the synergistic effect of added value in the case of consecutive projects.” concludes Matej.
Where to Start and What to Watch out For
For complete newcomers, the clear path is through the National Contact Point (NCP). As Martin Krug from CVTI SR:
“If you are complete beginners, I would recommend contacting the NCP first. Every country within the EU establishes National Contact Points that will guide you through the Horizon Europe program.”
If you already have experience, reach for work programs for specific clusters or the Funding & Tenders (FTOP) portal. On this portal, all European calls are gathered, including those relevant to your project.
Two common mistakes are made when choosing a call:
- Applicants cannot correctly identify a suitable call by keywords.
- They forget about TRL (Technology readiness level) – the project’s technological readiness level, which is crucial for Horizon.
The 2025 Work Programme for Cluster 4 (digitalization, industry, and space) is very helpful in this regard:
“It’s a clear document where applicants can find all details about calls in one place – in black and white. Compared to FTOP, only relevant calls for the given area are here. You won’t find calls from the Digital Europe program or Cluster 1 – Health there. ” clarifies Martin.
Besides industry and space, there are also digitally oriented calls, so it’s worth looking for overlaps between areas.
Tips for Newcomers
If you have no experience or partners, the NCP can help you a lot:
“After just one consultation, we can determine the direction a project should take, find a suitable call, and through our networks, reach out to potential partners for a consortium. We also recommend matchmaking events where you can arrange a personal meeting with partners – often completely free of charge. After a successful project proposal, you can obtain a million-euro grant that will change your life,” describes Martin.
What must a good project have to stand up to Horizon Europe competition? Matej explains:
- Offering (or participating in the creation of) a meaningful solution, where it is verified that this solution is truly innovative.
- A thoroughly thought-out work plan – what exactly I will do with the grant money to achieve the stated results – ‘impact’ (technical/developmental as well as business or communication aspects).
The entire process from idea to grant is often lengthy, and there’s no need to rush. Patience, a strategic approach, and the ability to involve partners who complement your competencies are important.
Grants are not an end in themselves, but a way to develop a company, innovations, and international cooperation. At INOFEST, the workshop EU grants for innovators will teach you how to obtain funding for projects from EU programs, especially Horizon Europe.
We will show you how not to get lost in grants, choose the right call, and prepare a successful application. You will gain practical tips, an overview of opportunities, and a grant map that will facilitate orientation.
You will discuss with experts: Matej Novotný (BALTEUS) – expert on European grants, Ivan Filus (BIC Bratislava) – advisor for startups and EIC, Martin Krug (CVTI SR) – National Contact Point Horizon Europe.
The workshop is for innovators and companies who want to turn their ideas into funded projects and advance innovations.
TEXT: Natália Stašíková
PHOTO: Balteus, INOVATO, Canva
