In this second half of the episode "How to Fail a Proposal" together freelance consultant Marie Prouteau. Last week we talked about the conditions as a proposal writer. Here we dig into what it really means to fail an EU funding proposal. Departing from a fantastic viral LinkedIn post Marie made on failing proposals, we go beyond the emotional rollercoaster of proposal writing and into the weeds of technical, structural, and strategic mistakes that can derail even the strongest ideas. From overlooking the call text to forgetting to prioritise impact, we exchange the classic slip-ups we’ve all seen – and made – in our careers. We talk about the seductive pull of buzzwords, the misuse of jargon, and how poor storytelling often breaks a proposal long before the submission button is hit.
But we also offer ways forward. We talk evaluators, partner dynamics, and how trust, motivation, and timing can make or break the proposal process. Marie explains how visual clarity, positioning, and attention to small originalities – like interdisciplinary links or citizen science – can elevate your application when competition is fierce. Most importantly, we reflect on how the consultant’s job often becomes one of people management: aligning egos, calming nerves, and keeping the team moving toward a common goal.Time codes:
00:02:06 How to fail perfectly at EU proposals
00:28:27 How to not fail — practical tips
00:36:49 The toughest challenge
