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What is the Seal of Excellence?
The Seal of Excellence (SoE) is a quality label first introduced during the EU Horizon framework program (2014-2020) and aims to support research and innovation by funding proposals of significant value submitted by SMEs. It has gradually become a key instrument to create synergies.
The Seal of Excellence is awarded to project proposals submitted under the Horizon Europe Program call for proposals and ranked above a predefined quality thresholds.
Seal of Excellence projects are great projects that passed a highly competitive and transparent selection process, performed by a jury of international and independent experts, and were found to deserve funding, but were unable to receive it due to exhaustion of the available budget.
With this label the Commission recognize the value of project proposals and encourages other funding agencies to benefit from the high – quality evaluation process of the Horizon Europe program.
The SoE Certificate indicates basic information on the proposal, the call and the applicant or applicants. It is signed by Commissioner for Research and Innovation and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. It represents a formal acknowledgement of the quality of the proposals, and it demonstrates political commitment to build effective synergies with other funding instruments. It is unique and safe. It is digitally sealed against fraud, as is the project proposal and evaluation summary report.
In the framework of the “Horizon Europe” program (2021 – 2027), improvements are foreseen in terms of quality and support for the implementation of the Seal of Excellence. The uptake of the Seal of Excellence in structural funds programs is further promoted in the context of strengthening synergies between the research and innovation framework programs and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For example, with the guidance document on synergies between ERDF and Horizon Europe programs, as well as by enhancing the flow of information on project proposals for the Seal of Excellence.
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How you receive the Seal of Excellence
The SoE is delivered together with the Evaluation Results Letter (ERL) in the Funding and Tender Opportunities portal.
Its holders need to log in to the portal with the email address with which they were invited to the proposal.
How to use the Seal of Excellence – tips for funding
The Seal of Excellence certifies the high quality of your project proposal, can build the reputation of your project and business, and gives your project the opportunity to attract other investments on local, regional, national, and international level.
In addition to the Seal of Excellence Certificate, you can make available all the documents you have (seal of excellence, full proposal, summary evaluation report, etc.) to the funders you approach. You can also inform your funding body that your Seal of Excellence Certificate, evaluation summary report and proposal are fraud-proof as they are digitally protected.
Also, you can diversify your search for funding in terms of sources (public or private) and type (grants / financial instruments), but also try to combine grants with financial instruments (loans, equity, etc.).
Who can fund Seal of Excellence projects?
The Seal of Excellence offers a unique opportunity for funding bodies outside the European Commission to benefit from the high-quality evaluation process of the Horizon Europe program.
Any public authority or private organization with financial power, interested in investing in promising companies, researchers or institutions with innovative project proposals can fund Seal of Excellence projects.
If the beneficiary company has given its prior consent to the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Executive Agency for SMEs (EISMEA) for this purpose, its basic contact details can be shared with any credible alternative funding source.
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The Community of Practice
Funding bodies interested in supporting Seal of Excellence projects can join the Community of Practice. This is a platform created by the Commission for the exchange of good practices between funders.
Currently, the Community of Practice has over 250 members both at the regional and national level. This platform, which is managed by the European Commission, contributes to the exchange of good practices between funders in the search for the required information, as well as the documents needed for effective participation.
Access is limited to national or regional authorities able to provide funding for research and innovation projects, or any other funding body for innovative SMEs.
As a member of the Community of Practice, you will have access to:
- meetings to discuss current practices and future developments.
- library including all relevant documents.
- aggregated figures and information on the content of Seal of Excellence awarded proposals in your own country/region.
- exchange of experiences with other funding bodies.
- promotion of your SOE-friendly measures through the Commission website and targeted emails to relevant group of SOE holders.
How can QBC help you?
QBC Business Consultants help you achieve your goals with personalized action plans.
For more information about the Seal of Excellence, you can contact us by phone at 216 900 7576 or submit a contact request and one of our Consultants will serve you immediately.