diff --git a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/GrantManager.java b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/GrantManager.java
index 383ecd67d..eff59a555 100644
--- a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/GrantManager.java
+++ b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/GrantManager.java
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public class GrantManager {
         userInfo.setId(principal.getId());
         if (grantCriteria.getCriteria().getFunderReference() != null && !grantCriteria.getCriteria().getFunderReference().trim().isEmpty()) {
             FunderCriteria funderCriteria = new FunderCriteria();
-            funderCriteria.setReference(grantCriteria.getCriteria().getReference());
+            funderCriteria.setReference(grantCriteria.getCriteria().getFunderReference());
             Funder funder = apiContext.getOperationsContext().getDatabaseRepository().getFunderDao().getWithCritetia(funderCriteria).getSingleOrDefault();
             grantCriteria.getCriteria().setFunderId(funder.getId().toString());
         }