How to Actually Find Right Grants Without Drowning in PDFs
- ENFA

The European grant landscape is notoriously complex. With hundreds of overlapping programs, shifting priorities, and documents buried under layers of jargon, many organizations feel lost before they even begin.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
This guide offers a streamlined process for identifying the right grant without burning out on bureaucracy—and shows how ENFA supports organizations through clarity, connection, and strategy.
The Problem: Information Overload and Institutional Confusion
European funding is not centralized. Instead, it's spread across multiple programs such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, Erasmus+, EU4Health, and EEA & Norway Grants. Each comes with its own:
- Eligibility criteria
- Geographic priorities
- Application platforms
- Timelines and budget rules
Even finding the correct opportunity often involves parsing dozens of dense PDF documents—most of which you’re not even eligible for.
Step 1: Define What You’re Really Looking For
Before diving into any portal, clarify:
- Are you applying as an SME, university, nonprofit, or municipality?
- Do you need research funding, implementation support, infrastructure investment, or networking funds?
- Do you plan to lead a project or join an existing consortium?
This step alone filters out most irrelevant calls.
Step 2: Use the Right Public Tools
EU Funding & Tenders Portal
The European Commission’s primary portal for Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and more. Use it to:
- Browse active calls by topic, deadline, or funding type
- Download official call documents
- Check detailed eligibility criteria
- Start your application
Pro Tip: Use keyword filters like “circular economy” or “urban resilience” and sort by closing date to avoid wasting time on outdated calls.
CORDIS
CORDIS showcases previously funded projects. Use it to:
- See how past winners framed their proposals
- Identify possible partners with EU grant experience
- Avoid duplicating already-funded ideas
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
Though not a direct grant source, EEN is a powerful partner-finding tool that can connect you to organizations working on similar challenges in other countries.
Step 3: Build a Smarter Workflow
Here’s how to streamline your search:
- Skim summaries before opening PDFs
- Use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+F) to search within documents for “eligibility,” “expected outcomes,” and “funding rate”
- Keep a shortlist of 5–10 calls that align tightly with your organizational mission, timeline, and team capacity
Use a spreadsheet or project management board to track:
- Call name and link
- Deadline
- Maximum funding amount
- Required partners
- Fit score (1–5 scale)
How ENFA Supports Grant-Ready Organizations
ENFA is a platform built to help organizations across Europe and the Nordic region navigate complexity through collaboration.
Here’s what ENFA does to help you find and secure the right funding:
1. Demystifies Funding Strategies
Through workshops, webinars, and expert articles, ENFA translates complex funding mechanisms into practical, digestible guidance. You’ll learn how to:
- Understand EU policy priorities
- Align your work with funders’ language
- Interpret eligibility and evaluation criteria
2. Builds Strategic Partnerships
Many EU calls require applicants from three or more countries. ENFA helps you:
- Connect with mission-aligned organizations in other eligible regions
- Expand your project scope through complementary expertise
- Develop trust-based partnerships that improve your chances of success
3. Connects You to the Right Conversations
ENFA hosts and promotes networking opportunities, such as:
- Sector-specific meetups
- EU funding roundtables
- Introductions to regional innovation hubs and local grant advisors
These moments of connection often lead to shared applications, co-authored proposals, and consortium invitations.
4. Shares What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Through member exchanges, post-project briefings, and insider insights, ENFA helps you:
- Avoid common mistakes in grant writing
- Learn from past successes and failures
- Stay ahead of shifting EU funding trends
Step 4: Stop Applying Alone
One of the fastest ways to burn out—or fail—is trying to do everything in-house. Most winning applications are built through:
- Cross-border consortia
- Knowledge-sharing networks
- Templates and frameworks from experienced players
At ENFA, you gain access to a community that has submitted, reviewed, and delivered hundreds of EU-funded projects. That means more momentum, fewer missteps, and better odds.
Final Thought: Clarity Comes from Connection
Finding the right grant is not just about reading PDFs or filtering portals. It’s about understanding where your organization fits in the larger European ecosystem—and who can help you get where you want to go.
With ENFA, you're not just another applicant. You're part of a growing alliance committed to shaping the future of Europe through funded, high-impact collaboration.
Resources
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- CORDIS: Funded Project Database
- Enterprise Europe Network
- Creative Europe Programme
- Horizon Europe
- EEA & Norway Grants
- ENFA Official Website