Communication & dissemination

Communication, dissemination and exploitation: getting the impact section right

Three words that are often used interchangeably, but evaluators expect you to know the difference. A short guide for Horizon Europe consortia.

· By Rodothea (Rose) · Example article

In Horizon Europe proposals, impact is one of the three award criteria, and funded projects have contractual obligations to communicate, disseminate and exploit their results. Yet the three terms are often blurred together.

Communication

Promoting the project and its results to a broad audience, including the public and the media, to show the value of EU-funded research. Think website, social media, news articles, videos and events.

Dissemination

Sharing results with the people who can use them: researchers, industry, policymakers, practitioners. Think scientific publications (with open access), conferences, workshops, policy briefs and data sharing.

Exploitation

Using the results: in products and services, in further research, in policy, standards or training. Think key exploitable results, owners, routes to market and a sustainability plan.

Five tips for a stronger plan

  1. Name specific target groups, not "stakeholders".
  2. Link each activity to a group and a measurable KPI.
  3. Plan exploitation from the start: who owns which result, and what happens next.
  4. Budget realistically for events, content and the website.
  5. Show how you will monitor and adapt the plan during the project.

--- This is an example article to show how Insights will look. Edit or replace it in the Studio.

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