How to prepare a successful proposal for EU funding?

Both national and international health services and public health researchers are struggling to find appropriate funding for their research ideas. On the one side this due to a scarcity in resources both nationally and internationally, and on the other side this is due to insufficient skills to prepare successful proposals for European Union (EU) finding. The EU provides several mechanisms that fund innovative, state-of-the-art projects with an outstanding added value to the European community. The aim of this presentation is firstly to show researchers which EU funding mechanisms are available, and secondly to explain the process of preparing an EU proposal, and the essential skills that need to be used in the preparation phase. Methods: The presentation will be based on extensive experience in the preparation of both successful and unsuccessful proposals for EU funding. This is the basis for lessons on what to do, and what not to do. Results: The first part of the presentation is spent on providing clarity in the labyrinth of EU funding mechanisms. Researchers will learn the importance of carefully selecting the most relevant funding mechanism to suit your research intentions. The second part of the presentation provides insights into how to manage the preparation of an EU proposal. This will include the translation of EU priorities into your own research interests and vice versa; awareness to award criteria; making a workplan from a to z; how to deal with a low success rate; preparing a feasible though relevant research design; how to select and approach project partners; how to assure a high EU added value; important steps in the writing process; and preparing an appropriate and relevant budget. Conclusions: There is no one recipe for success. There are however a number of skills that each researcher can master if the dedication, interests and enthusiasm are in the right place.