60+ New Grants, Plus AI Writing Tips

I have observed that many (if not most) grant applicants are now using AI to help with their proposals. Where applicants once struggled to fill empty documents to meet page limits, they now face the opposite challenge of cutting down AI-generated content that exceeds limits by large margins.

Smart AI Tips for Grant Writing

If you're planning to use AI to complete the proposal sections, I recommend giving the AI the following instructions before you begin:

• Avoid bullets and lists: They're often too short and break narrative flow, plus indents waste valuable space
• Skip the summaries: AI loves adding unnecessary section summaries that just eat up space
• Stay within page limits: I've seen AI generate proposals that are 10x the limit, and cutting them down can take as long as writing from scratch. Make sure that you never exceed the limit in the first place.
• Keep content section-specific: Don't let AI add irrelevant content from other sections just to fill space. It is better to keep it short instead of adding irrelevant content.
• Avoid unnatural punctuation: Em dashes (—) and En dashes (–) are dead giveaways of AI-generated text
• Use plain text formatting: AI tends to over-format with bold, italic, and underlines for every second word

If you stick to these rules, you will have an easier time writing your proposal with AI.

Cursor AI for Grant Writing (Goodbye, General Grant AI Tools)

In case you use Cursor AI, you can also use a markdown version of the proposal (can be copied from a Google Docs template) and edit it inside Cursor. This allows you to use an agentic workflow during the writing process. Here are the steps:

1. Create a grant proposal template in Google Docs. You can use the template provided in the Starter Pack for the EIC Accelerator. An EIC Pathfinder template is available as well (reach out here)
2. Enable markdown and copy the entire template then move it into Cursor AI into a template.md file in full markdown format
3. The AI natively understands the markdown and can now edit parts or the entire proposal as an AI assistant with full editing capabilities.
4. Once you are done, paste the edited markdown file back into Google Docs to have your finished proposal.

I really like this workflow since Gemini is, for some reason, stuck in the sidebar and unable to edit any documents. It's a constrained assistant, unfortunately and Microsoft Co-pilot is no better.

It is surprising how the leading AI companies have not figured out the full agent integration yet while startups take the cake.

60+ Fresh Grant and Tender Opportunities

I've just added a new post to Subsdy News covering 60+ opportunities that have opened up since September. Here's a short summary:

Media & Creative Industries

The creative sector is getting some attention this round. If you're in media, journalism, or publishing, there are grants for cross-border collaborations, media literacy projects, and innovative business models. Publishers can also tap into funding for translating and distributing European literary works, great for promoting cultural diversity across the continent.

Digital Innovation & AI

The EU is really pushing digital transformation, and the funding reflects that. There's money available for AI solutions in healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. You can also get involved in virtual worlds testbeds or help consolidate digital innovation hubs. Plus, there are competitions for digital skills development, targeted at nurturing the next generation of tech talent.

Sustainability & Green Solutions

The Green Deal momentum continues with some interesting opportunities. Rail companies can access funding for more sustainable operations and infrastructure. Cities can benefit from the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Call 2025, which supports research projects focused on climate-neutral and resilient urban development. Even local authorities can find grants for community projects like lake restoration and protection.

Want to dive deeper into these opportunities? Check out the full list of 60+ new opportunities I've compiled for you here: Subsdy News

Get Support

Need help with the EIC Accelerator or other grants? Here are some options:

• Starter Pack (lowest-risk entry with AI writer): The Starter Pack contains all the templates you will need and detailed instructional modules in video and text form. This is a very comprehensive package that will tell you everything you need to know based on previously successful applications. This includes free credits for ChatEIC, the EIC Accelerator AI writer. Learn more about the Starter Pack.
• Advisory (personalized support): You write in-house but receive personal 1-on-1 support from me, templates, instructions, and reviews of all documents. Personal strategy calls and reviews to perfect every section. This also includes an AI tool for Step 1 as well as guidance on using AI for the proposal writing. Strategy calls cover the specific templates as well as the EIC criteria and use of AI tools. Pitch coaching for the interviews and support for all resubmissions are included as well. Learn more about the Advisory service.
• Writing (complete end-to-end service): All proposal sections are written for you and submitted on your behalf with minimum input from your side. Pitch coaching for the interviews and support for all resubmissions are included as well. Learn more about the Writing service.
• Review (personal review): Get a personal review of your grant proposal with detailed comments. Learn more about the Review service.
• Quick Writing (professional Step 1 proposal): 50% off on a professional Step 1 proposal from an expert consultant with the help of AI. Learn more about the Quick Writing service.

Other resources:

• Subsdy: Looking for the perfect grant opportunity in the EU? There are hundreds of active grants and tenders (usually multiple added a day!), so feel free to try out Subsdy, the AI tool for grant discovery.
• Subsdy News: Find the newest Grant Updates here: Subsdy News
• Sharing: Recommend this newsletter to a friend: Newsletter

These tips are not only useful for European startups, professional writers, consultants and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) but are generally recommended when writing a business plan or investor documents.

Deadlines: Post-Horizon 2020, the EIC Accelerator accepts Step 1 submissions now while the deadlines for the full applications (Step 2) under Horizon Europe are listed below. The Step 1 applications must be submitted weeks in advance of Step 2. The next EIC Accelerator cut-off for Step 2 (full proposal) can be found here. After Brexit, UK companies can still apply to the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe albeit with non-dilutive grant applications only - thereby excluding equity-financing. Switzerland has resumed its participation in Horizon Europe and is now eligible for the EIC Accelerator.

Contact: You can reach out to us via this contact form to work with a professional consultant.

AI Grant Writer: ChatEIC is a fully automated EIC Accelerator grant proposal writer: Get it here.

EIC Accelerator: EIC Accelerator delivers flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The initiative targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees. Technology areas include Biotech, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. Get Started

EIC Pathfinder: EIC Pathfinder delivers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The initiative requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Primary technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials. Get Started

EIC Transition: EIC Transition delivers up to €2.5 million in funding to overcome the 'valley of death' gap between laboratory research and market deployment, emphasizing technology maturation and validation. The initiative supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Key technology domains include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics. Get Started

EIC STEP Scale-Up: EIC STEP Scale-Up delivers significant equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies prepared for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The initiative targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have obtained pre-commitment from qualified investors. Primary focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero objectives, and Biotechnologies. Get Started

EIC Pre-Accelerator: EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a pilot initiative delivering €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. This program is exclusively accessible to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to foster regional innovation development. The initiative encompasses deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains. Get Started

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges: EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges represents a new pilot initiative delivering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech innovations through ARPA-style staged funding mechanisms with integrated demand-side engagement. This initiative targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Primary focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics applications and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, with TRL 4 entry requirements and demonstrated end-user commitment. Get Started

Eureka Network: The Eureka Network delivers various international collaborative R&D initiatives such as Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, providing funding from €50K to €6.75M per project based on the specific initiative. This network emphasizes market-driven innovation and deep-tech advancement across multiple technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Eligible participants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars particularly focused on R&D-performing SMEs. Get Started

Eurostars: Eurostars represents a joint EU-Eureka initiative delivering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program adopts a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities. Get Started

Innovation Partnership: Innovation Partnership enables collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The initiative supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects concentrate on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches. Get Started

Innovation Fund: The EU Innovation Fund delivers substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The initiative targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible participants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects. Get Started

Innovate UK: Innovate UK delivers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular emphasis on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization. Get Started

Industrial Partnership: Industrial Partnership delivers €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The initiative supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Get Started

LIFE Programme: The LIFE Programme delivers €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The initiative supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Eligible participants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges. Get Started

Neotec: Neotec represents a Spanish initiative delivering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence. Get Started

Thematic Priorities: EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas. Get Started

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