Winnovart survey - Do YOU need CONSULTANTS for preparing funding applications?

At Winnovart, during the past 10 years, we have helped companies raise over €75 million in grants-based funding. With an international presence and having worked with various funding programmes, we know the level of complexity in funding applications varies depending on the type of programme, country or mechanism.

The funding scene is always evolving, so we are wondering - are CONSULTANTS still needed for funding applications? YOU are in the best position to help us find the answer and it takes less than 2 minutes.

Many thanks for your support!

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* 1. Do you generally welcome the contribution of business consultants in funding applications?

Yes, consultants are very important for successful funding applications. They are bringing specific expertise and know-how that we need, even though they don't know the business specifics of an Applicant's business.

No, consultants are useless for funding applications. We are better off without consultants. They don't know the specifics of an Applicant's business anyway

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* 2. What kind of expertise do you need from a business consultant in a funding application?

Overall support throughout the proposal development and submission phase (writing business plans, preparing a financial plan/ cost-benefit analysis, market analysis, application form, the submission process itself)

General support throughout the project implementation phase (specific reporting, payment claims, tender management, information & publicity rules)

Support identifying international consortium-partners

Specific expertise for components of a funding application (e.g. business plans, innovation management elements, financial models) but without overall management of the proposal development and submission process

None of the above, consultants don't bring relevant expertise in funding applications

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* 3. What are the most important reasons for choosing a business consultant in a funding application?

Need for expertise in the proposal development/ application phase

Need for expertise in the grant management phase

Time effort for preparing a proposal. Preparing a funding application is a very time-consuming process and we prefer to have external support from specialized consultants

Time effort for project management. Managing the formal aspects during the project implementation phase requires expertise and can be very time-consuming

None of the above, there is no reason for choosing a consultant for a funding application

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What do you appreciate most when working with a consultant?

Leadership and specific expertise. We need the leadership and the expertise of an experienced consultant to guide us through the process.

Personalisation of services. We want a service fully tailored to our needs and specific case.

Speed of service delivery. We want a fast delivery of the advisory services, so we can finalise the funding application/ project proposal as quick as possible. We are willing to allocate resources for this.

Flexibility of the service delivery process. We want the service to be available when we need it, it has to be tailored to our schedule and availability.

Operational support from the consultant. We don’t have time and available staff for a funding application and we need a hands-on consultant to take over all the operational effort. We are willing to pay for this.

Type of interaction: online is better. We like online / video conferences and a more “digital” experience, as this brings flexibility and acceleration.

Type of interaction: offline is better. We prefer direct/ in-person meetings, the discussions are much better and more effective, even though it slows down the process and is more expensive.

Cost of consulting services. There are a lot of consultants out there on the market, we are always looking for lower fees.

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* 5. Are you planning to start preparing a funding application for raising grants-based funding in the near future?

Yes, in the next 3 months

Yes, in the next 3-6 months

Yes, in the next 6-12 months

No, we don't plan any funding application

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* 6. Are you planning to choose a consultant for your next funding application?

Yes, we definitely plan working with a consultant

Yes, but we still have some doubts

No, categorically not, we can do it ourselves without external consulting support

No, because we don't plan any funding application