Do you go to phase 1 orĀ 2?
You need actual partners for phase2. For phase 1 you can have only letter of intent or mention it in project. Phase 2 you have little chances w/o phase 1 won (in theory you do but in real life no).
We applied 3 times and didn't won, but came very close and last application have been above threshold but we still have to improve in some areas. I can give you some general advices or you can do it via good consultant also. Maybe we can even participate if there is something we can do.