Rejection can be difficult, especially after pouring your time and heart into a Horizon Europe proposal. However, a rejected proposal is not the end. On the contrary, it's an opportunity to refine your ideas and come back stronger. Here’s how to revive your proposal and keep your idea alive.
Start by carefully analyzing the evaluation of your rejected proposal. Pay close attention to every minor and major shortcoming highlighted by the evaluators. While focusing on the negatives, also note what was praised.
Next, get in touch with your consortium to see if they are willing to continue and resubmit the proposal for another Horizon Europe call. Their commitment is crucial for a successful resubmission. If some consortium members are unwilling to continue, seek new partners to fill the gaps. Ensure any new partners understand their roles and are familiar with the previous proposal and the new call.
Explore all available and upcoming calls with your topic of interest within the relevant Clusters. Don’t limit yourself to the Cluster, take a peek into other Clusters as your proposal might align with another call. You never know! Organize a meeting with your consortium to discuss the evaluation feedback and develop a common understanding of the necessary corrections. Collaboration and consensus are key to a cohesive proposal.
Rewrite your proposal to align with the new call's expected outcomes. Tailor your submission to meet the specific requirements and objectives of the new call. Double-check all technical details, such as person months (PMs) for partners and their respective budgets. Adjust these based on any changes in roles or new partners.
Most importantly, ensure that all shortcomings highlighted in the rejected proposal evaluation are thoroughly discussed and remedied. Demonstrating that you’ve taken the feedback into account and that you have made necessary improvements will increases your chances.
Remember Samuel Beckett's words: "Ever tried, ever failed. No matter, try again, fail again, fail better." Persistence and passion for your topic will ultimately lead to success.
Reviving a rejected Horizon Europe proposal is challenging but rewarding. By analyzing feedback, consulting your consortium, exploring new calls, and reshaping your proposal, you can turn rejection into an opportunity for growth and success. Keep pushing forward, and your dedication will eventually pay off.
