As a general rule, a funding application must be submitted and approved before the project begins, as starting the project prematurely results in the loss of eligibility for funding under most programmes. In many cases, the project is deemed to have started as soon as a binding contract for the supply of goods or services is concluded. The Funding Team therefore gets involved early on in the project, adapts it in advance to meet the funding criteria and ensures that the application is submitted in good time before the project begins, which would otherwise jeopardise funding eligibility.