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How to Apply

European Structural Funds can be accessed in a number of ways.  Applications can be made directly to the Programme for projects and schemes for ERDF, ESF and third party EAGGF (environment and forestry projects).  In addition, many schemes are operated by organisations who receive Structural Funds to provide grant assistance to third parties such as voluntary bodies and businesses.  Please refer to the Who Can Apply section for more information.

When first considering an application it is important you contact the Programme Management Executive for advice before proceeding – simple checks on whether a project is eligible, whether there is funding available etc. can save a lot of time.  Programme documentation including the Programme Complement and the appropriate guidance notes are also critical at this stage and will provide you with the background information you need to complete an application form.

Applications are submitted to the Programme Management Executive and these are assessed against a number of technical criteria e.g. is all the match funding in place, is the project eligible, does it fit the Measure under which it has been submitted, are the costs all eligible etc.

The application is then issued to Advisory Group members who make a formal assessment using agreed selection criteria (available in the downloads section).  The Advisory Groups can request additional information or clarification prior to making a recommendation on the application to the Programme Management Committee.  The Programme Management Committee then make the formal recommendations to Scottish Executive Ministers who make the final decisions on these submissions.

The flowchart in this section of the website indicates how a direct application is processed.