2025 call: Proof of Concept Funding

Guidelines and template for research utilisation plan

The research utilisation plan is submitted as a PDF appendix on the tab ‘Research utilisation plan’ in the online services. Remember to convert the Word file into PDF format (Save as -> .pdf) before attaching it in the application form. Name the attachment file as follows: PoC_plan_yoursurname.pdf.

Read the call text carefully and familiarise yourself with the review guidelines, review form and principle of responsible evaluation (PDF) before you start writing the plan.

The maximum length of the research plan is 8 pages.

The maximum length of the consortium research plan is 9 pages.

The paper size is A4.

The font is Calibri/Carlito 12 pt.

The line spacing is 1.

The margins are 20 mm.

The text is left-aligned.

Do not use paragraph indents.

The font size in tables and figures must be at least 10 pt.

Use a single-column layout when writing the text.

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt.

All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

The maximum size of the PDF appendix is 50 MB.

The instructions, structure and layout provided must be followed to ensure the equal treatment of applicants. Use the headings provided. The application cannot be submitted if the system detects a deviation in the headings, page configuration or structure.

Write the research utilisation plan on this template.

Fill in the sections according to the practices of your own discipline.

You cannot edit or delete the headings in the template. If necessary, you may add subheadings.

See the How-to guides for the online services on our website for the technical instructions.

Please delete the instructions in blue before attaching the research plan in the online system.

Click and write here: Title of research utilisation plan

Click and write here: Applicant’s name (and abbreviation of consortium)

Background and significance

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Problem:

Describe the problem to be addressed in the project and how the project will utilise the research results described in section ‘Research results utilised in the project’ to address it.

Please note that the plan should focus on describing the utilisation of the research, not the research results as such.

State of the art and own contribution:

Describe the project’s contribution in the national or international context (e.g. market analysis or similar ongoing or completed projects).

Describe what is innovative in the project.

Describe the patent landscape if relevant in your field.

Please delete these instructions (in blue) when preparing your text.

Insert your text here...

Impact

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Utilisation path:

Describe the utilisation path of the research results and which part of that path the project will address.

See the instructions on how to describe the utilisation path.

Expected effects and impact:

Describe the long-term economic or other societal impact the project anticipates and the short-term effects it will produce.

Describe the plan to secure post-project sustainability.

Please delete these instructions (in blue) when preparing your text.

Insert your text here...

Implementation

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Work plan and schedule:

Describe the methods and activities for utilising research results, and their implementation and innovativeness

Schedule for project implementation, incl. research tasks and work packages, distribution of personnel resources, and project milestones and deliverables

Collaborators and users:

Describe the collaborative networks, the user networks and groups, and the stakeholders.

If relevant to your field, describe the role of and interaction with regulatory authorities that affect your project implementation.

Describe and justify the novelty value and innovativeness of the planned cooperation (e.g. participatory and co-creation methods).

Monitoring:

Describe how the expected short- and long-term effects and impact will be monitored (e.g. milestones, deliverables, indicators for monitoring progress).

See the instructions on how to describe the monitoring.

Risk assessment:

Describe the critical points for success, probability of risks, means by which risks can be managed, and alternative implementation strategies.

Describe possible regulatory requirements that need to be managed.

Responsible science:

Describe the responsible science issues related to the project, such as social responsibility, ethical issues related to working with user groups and collaborators, methods and materials, research permits, intellectual property rights.

Describe issues related to research ethics, open access to research publications and data, promotion of equality and nondiscrimination in society at large and in the project implementation.

Consideration of sustainable development goals in project activities.

Project personnel and their project-relevant key merits:

Task and role of principal investigator PI (applicant) in the project

Tasks and roles of persons working on the project

Describe the responsibilities and key project-relevant competencies of project participants (incl. researchers, impact actors and external collaborators).

Added value of consortium (applies to consortium applications only)

Resources:

Describe the project costs, including staff salaries and services and costs related to, for instance, stakeholder engagement, market or patent surveys, experiments and pilots, or commercialisation preparations.

Please delete these instructions (in blue) when preparing your text.

Insert your text here...

References

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

Please delete these instructions (in blue) when preparing your text.

List the references here...