THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGE: NAVIGATING THE “REGULATORY GAP” IN EU PROPOSALS

A large part of project proposals fails not due to a lack of scientific merit, but because they do not adequately address the “Impact” and “Implementation” criteria. Evaluators often identify a “regulatory gap”—a disconnect between a promising technical innovation and the complex, shifting EU legislative and policy framework it must inhabit. Without a precise understanding of the legal hurdles—such as Novel Food authorizations, waste reclassifications, or health claim dossiers—a proposal risks being viewed as high-risk or commercially non-viable and not satisfy the objectives of EU policies.

OUR STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTION: THE TECHNICAL-LEGAL ANCHOR

During the proposal development phase, we act as a strategic partner that “anchors” project goals to the most pressing legislative needs. We contribute by highlighting time-critical technical and legal challenges within the shifting EU regulatory landscape. This proactive attitude provided a strategic edge that supported successful applications in highly selective calls with overall success rates below 10%.

We transform the “Regulatory Compliance” section of a proposal from a standard checklist into a competitive advantage. By identifying the technical and legal priorities of the current EU agenda—including the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan—we help coordinators design work packages that are inherently “policy-ready.”

EVIDENCE OF IMPACT: LESSONS FROM OUR PORTFOLIO

Our methodology is refined through participation in flagship projects where the proposal’s success depended on addressing complex legal barriers:

Anticipating Barriers

In the ProFuture project (microalgae sector), we identified the “regulatory ceiling” of Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 during the drafting phase. By proposing a “Joint Authorization” roadmap within the proposal, we demonstrated to evaluators a clear, cost-effective pathway to market, securing the project’s selection.

Aligning with Institutional Goals

For the WASTELESS project, selected from 41 international submissions, we helped anchor the proposal in the JRC and Eurostat’s need for harmonized data. We designed the technical-regulatory link between blockchain innovation and official NACE/CPA nomenclatures, addressing a specific “Impact” requirement of the call.

Defining New Market Paths

In the EcoeFISHent project, we contributed to the proposal by defining the legal transition from Animal By-Products (ABP) to high-value ingredients. This clear exploitation strategy convinced evaluators of the project’s systemic socio-economic potential.

Solving Import Hurdles

In the CamelMilk project, we addressed the legal complexities of importing traditional products from non-EU countries (Algeria and Turkiye) at the proposal stage. One of only 3 projects selected out of 90, its success was rooted in our plan to navigate Reg. (EU) 2015/2283 for traditional foods.