III.D.4. Build a Consortium to apply to a PCP/ PPI tender

Estimated Execution Time

4-6 weeks

Objective

To learn how to build or join a strong consortium for PCP or PPI tenders by identifying suitable partners, defining clear roles, and aligning your solution with consortium needs. This will strengthen your proposal, ensure eligibility, and enhance your competitiveness and collaboration opportunities in innovation procurement projects.

Who is Involved

Business Development / Innovation: Identifies suitable consortium partners (technology, clinical, industrial, regional), assesses strategic complementarity and competitive positioning, leads role definition and value contribution within the consortium and aligns the company’s solution with the broader project scope
Supporting Entities / Knowledge Partners (consultants, facilitators): Provide call-specific, hands-on support in consortium structuring and proposal development, including interpreting procurement requirements, defining roles and work packages, and strengthening compliance and competitiveness.
Clinical Affairs / Scientific Affairs: Validates consortium partner clinical appropriateness, defines the evidence generation strategy, and ensures that the consortium’s activities address relevant clinical needs and outcome measures.
Finance and Operations Departments: – Validates the financial and operational feasibility of consortium participation by assessing budget requirements, resource capacity, cost-sharing arrangements, and risk exposure to ensure sustainable and compliant engagement in PCP/PPI projects.
Legal / IP Management: Reviews and negotiates consortium agreements, clarifies intellectual property (foreground/background IP), liability, and data-sharing terms and ensures eligibility and compliance with tender requirements.
Executive Management: Approves strategic partnerships and resource commitments, assesses reputational and strategic implications and provides mandate for long-term collaboration.

Activities / Tasks

III.D.4.1. Understand PCP/PPI Consortium Requirements:

Review eligibility criteria for SMEs within PCP/PPI schemes, including roles they can occupy
Study previous PCP/PPI calls to understand typical partner compositions and success factors.

III.D.4.2. Find and Evaluate Potential Partners:

Use matchmaking platforms (e.g., Enterprise Europe Network, EIT Health Matchmaking, B2Match) to identify potential partners, attend brokerage events, webinars, or innovation days to meet procurers, universities, and other SMEs.

III.D.4.3. Initiate Consortium Building or Join an Existing One:

Reach out to identified potential partners with a compatible value proposition or join existing consortia (e.g., via open calls or published expressions of interest by lead applicants).

III.D.4.4. Co-Develop the Proposal with Consortium Partners:

Align on project objectives, workpackages, and contributions from each partner paying special attention to the clarification of expected roles (lead contractor, co-developer, technology supplier, pilot participant).
Draft technical and financial sections
Agree on legal arrangements (IPR sharing, responsibilities, data access) and governance structures.

III.D.4.5. Prepare for Implementation:

Stay informed about consortium processes (reporting, milestones, communication).

Tips / Common Pitfalls

✅ Map consortium requirements early, understanding which partner profiles and capacities are needed for eligibility and delivery.

✅ Define clear roles and governance, including legal, financial, and IP terms, assigning a strong coordinator and transparent decision-making structure, using standard templates and expert guidance.

✅ Foster open communication and trust, scheduling coordination meetings and using shared tracking tools.

❌ Avoid missing key expertise – it weakens eligibility and technical strength.

❌Avoid skipping administrative checks – unapproved budgets or missing agreements cause conflicts.

Outcome / Deliverables

Established or joined a compliant and well-balanced consortium
Co-developed and aligned a draft proposal concept with clear roles, responsibilities, and collaboration terms

Resources

List of Clusters & Events Examples EU Healthcare PCP and PPI

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