Collaboration and Innovation in Grant Management

ERAC supports organisations in realising their ambitions by setting up collaborations, attracting funding and ensuring careful accountability for subsidies. With a focus on setting up business ecosystems, obtaining funding, and applying for and accounting for subsidies, ERAC ensures that strategic plans are actually implemented. Sharon explains: "Our agency has years of experience navigating the complex subsidy landscape. This allows us to help organisations not only obtain funding, but also manage it responsibly."

ERAC's role in the FNS program

ERAC became involved in the FNS program at an early stage. According to Peter Rake, Program Director at FNS , ERAC's name came up several times in discussions with parties that had previously submitted proposals to the National Growth Fund. Their expertise in grant applications was seen as strengthening the consortium. ERAC fulfils a supporting role within FNS in the field of financial management and grant technical coordination, on behalf of the consortium leader. Sharon explains: "Our role is not only to manage finances, but also to ensure compliance with grant rules, which is essential for the success of the program."

The main motivation for participating in FNS

For ERAC, the motivation for participating in the FNS program lies in the importance of both innovation and good financial governance. Sharon stresses, "Our role is crucial to the success of the program, as we ensure that the financial process runs smoothly and that all grant conditions are properly met. We contribute to the smooth running of the program by guiding the financial process and ensuring that grant conditions are met." ERAC's goal is to support FNS partners in complying with grant requirements and properly managing the financial progress of the program which is critical to achieving the grant for phase two of FNS.

ERAC's contribution to the FNS consortium

Sharon says that ERAC's biggest contribution to the FNS program is ensuring smooth financial and grant processing. "From state aid and eligibility to organising webinars for the partners' financial stakeholders, we make sure that the process runs smoothly or that everything is properly aligned.'' she says. This goes far beyond just managing costs, but covers a wide range of activities essential to the success of the program.

Sharon is also part of the FNS Core Team that manages the day-to-day implementation of the program. This allows ERAC to respond quickly and adapt immediately to changes or risks within the programme. Sharon explains: ‘The Core Team has an overarching role that extends across the other four programme lines. My job is to coordinate the entire financial process within this framework, so that everything is carried out according to the subsidy rules and guidelines.’

Future challenges and opportunities

Sharon discusses the risks ERAC faces, especially in the management of grants: ‘One of the biggest risks is that partners do not comply with the grant rules, which can lead to the repayment of grants or a reduction in the size of the grant. This can have major consequences for both the partners and the consortium as a whole. That is why we keep a close eye on this and are in regular contact with the partners.’

ERAC remains committed to strengthening the strategic position of the Netherlands in the field of 6G. Sharon adds: ‘Our contribution to the FNS program is not only aimed at obtaining subsidies, but also at supporting the broader objectives of the Netherlands and Europe in the world of wireless communication.’

Sharon Struijcken emphasises the importance of a solid financial basis for an initiative such as FNS, a role in which ERAC is making its contribution. ‘It is an opportunity to contribute to such an innovative initiative with so many diverse partners,’ she says. ‘It is a challenge for us, but also a huge opportunity to take the program to the next level and realise the transition to phase two.’