Many EU grants require consortium applications with multiple partners from different countries. Building the right consortium is often as important as having a great idea.
Why Consortium Composition Matters
Evaluators look for:
- Complementary expertise: Each partner brings unique value
- Geographic diversity: Representation across EU member states
- Sectoral balance: Mix of academia, industry, SMEs, and others
- Track record: Partners with proven delivery capability
Finding the Right Partners
Start with Your Network
Your first-degree connections are often the best starting point:
- Previous collaborators
- Conference contacts
- Industry associations
- Academic networks
Use Partner Search Tools
Several platforms help find consortium partners:
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal Partner Search
- Enterprise Europe Network
- National Contact Points
- LinkedIn and ResearchGate
Attend Brokerage Events
Many calls have associated networking events:
- Info days organized by the EU Commission
- Proposal preparation workshops
- Virtual brokerage platforms
- Consortium building events
Evaluating Potential Partners
Not every interested partner is the right fit. Assess:
1. Technical Capability
- Do they have the expertise you need?
- Can they point to relevant previous work?
- Do they have the necessary infrastructure?
2. Financial Stability
- Can they co-fund if required?
- Can they manage cash flow gaps?
- Are they financially healthy?
3. Commitment Level
- Are they willing to invest time upfront?
- Do they have capacity during the project period?
- Are key personnel available?
4. Collaboration History
- Have they successfully completed EU projects?
- What do previous partners say about them?
- How do they handle conflicts?
Structuring the Consortium
Define Clear Roles
Every partner should have:
- A specific role in the work plan
- Clear responsibilities
- Appropriate budget share
- Defined deliverables
Balance the Composition
Consider:
- Coordinator: Experienced organization with management capacity
- Research Partners: Academic institutions or research centers
- Industry Partners: Companies that can exploit results
- SMEs: Often get preferential treatment in evaluation
- End Users: Organizations that will use the results
Avoid Common Pitfalls
- Too many partners: More isn't always better—5-8 is often ideal
- Missing expertise: Gaps that require additional subcontracting
- Unbalanced effort: One partner doing most of the work
- Competing interests: Partners with conflicting business goals
The Consortium Agreement
Before starting work, formalize the partnership:
Key Elements
- IP ownership and exploitation rights
- Confidentiality obligations
- Decision-making procedures
- Conflict resolution mechanisms
- Publication rights
- Liability and indemnification
When to Discuss
- Start discussions during proposal preparation
- Have a framework agreed before submission
- Finalize details during grant preparation phase
Managing the Consortium
Communication
- Regular coordination calls (monthly minimum)
- Clear communication channels
- Shared project management tools
- Face-to-face meetings when possible
Decision Making
- Clear governance structure
- Defined voting procedures
- Escalation paths for disputes
- Role of coordinator vs. steering committee
Performance Management
- Regular progress monitoring
- Early warning systems
- Support for struggling partners
- Contingency plans for partner failure
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if a potential partner:
- Is reluctant to share information about their organization
- Has unrealistic expectations about budget or effort
- Wants to be involved but can't articulate their contribution
- Has a history of failed or troubled projects
- Doesn't respond promptly during proposal preparation
Building Long-Term Relationships
The best consortia come from ongoing relationships:
- Start with smaller collaborations
- Build trust over multiple projects
- Invest in relationship maintenance between projects
- Create a "go-to" network of reliable partners
Remember: you'll be working with these partners for 3-4 years. Choose wisely.