An online lecture on a mandatory and time-bound procedure for all successful proposals financed by the European Commission was held on January 29, titled “Grant Preparation Phase in EU-funded Projects” and delivered by Silvia Raucci from the International Research Office, University of Ferrara.

The lecture focused on the Grant Preparation Phase (GAP), which refers to the structured procedural period between the notification of a project’s successful evaluation (Evaluation Result / Invitation to Prepare the Grant Agreement) and the signing of the Grant Agreement. This phase represents a crucial step in transforming an approved proposal into a legally binding and operational project.

Participants were introduced to the position of the GAP within the European Commission’s Grant Management Lifecycle and to the main procedural steps, including the Declaration of Honour, Grant Agreement preparation, the signature process, and accession forms for project partners. The session also provided a clear overview of the roles and responsibilities of coordinators and partner institutions during this phase.

The lecture was addressed to researchers and administrative staff involved in the preparation and implementation of EU-funded projects, offering both conceptual clarity and practical insight into grant agreement preparation.