EU FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TIPS

A revision of the Horizon 2020 Model Grant Agreement adopted  introduces a new definition of additional remuneration of researchers, and also simplifies the charging of other costs in Horizon 2020 grants. This will allow the broadest possible acceptance of beneficiaries' own usual accounting and management practices.

Streamlining the Horizon 2020 work programme for 2018-20. More than ever before, the final work programme of Horizon 2020 will focus on key priorities. There will be fewer topics and fewer calls. The aim is to both maximise impact, and to ensure that stakeholders can easily find topics of interest.

Making the programme more relevant and easier to access for start-ups and innovators. As set out in the Start-up and Scale-up Initiative, the Commission intends to make changes for the remaining period of Horizon 2020 in order to target breakthrough innovation with the potential for scaling up and will consider reinforcing this approach in future through a European Innovation Council.

The wider use of lump-sum project funding has the potential to considerably reduce the administrative burden on participants - keeping the project focus firmly on research and innovation, enhancing impacts and lowering the financial error rate.