Guide updated 11 July 2026
Seven mistakes that sink a grant application
Most rejected applications do not fall because of the project, but because of avoidable errors of form. These are the seven most common.
1 · Submitting after the deadline
Deadlines are not extended. Note the closing date as soon as you find the call and submit with several days to spare: on the last day the electronic offices get overloaded.
2 · Not being the beneficiary or the sector they ask for
Before spending an hour on it, check that your company fits the type of beneficiary and the sector in the rules.
3 · Incomplete or badly signed documentation
A missing annex, an expired certificate or an incorrect signature can sink the application. Make a list of everything the rules ask for and check it twice before sending.
4 · Not being up to date with the tax authority and Social Security
It is an almost universal requirement. Check it before applying: regularising a debt takes time.
5 · A proposal that does not answer the criteria
When there is competition, the best-scored applications win. A proposal that describes the company but ignores the assessment criteria scores low: answer each criterion explicitly.
6 · Not answering the request to remedy
If the Administration detects a defect, it gives you a short deadline to correct it. Not answering in time amounts to withdrawing: watch your electronic notifications throughout the procedure.
7 · Justifying the aid badly
If you do not properly prove the expense and the activity within the deadline, the Administration can require repayment. Keep invoices and proofs from the first euro.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit after the deadline if the electronic office failed?
Only if the Administration itself extends the deadline because of a technical incident in its office. Keep evidence of the failure and submit with room to spare so as not to depend on it.
What is the most frequent mistake?
Submitting late or with incomplete documentation: both are avoided by preparing everything days in advance.