Research grants missing ‘flexibility’, say economists

European economists need more flexible research grants, according to two surveys at an event in Brussels on 7 July.

Economics researchers, sociologists and political scientists cited flexibility as the most desirable missing trait for research grants. Once they have secured funding, researchers want enough flexibility to manage the money, devise research strategies or hire staff, says Ramon Marimon, an economist at the European University Institute near Florence, Italy, and author of Research Funding for Economics in Europe.