Commission spruces up grant rules

From 2013, researchers should receive EU funds more quickly and with less red tape following a revision to European financial rules, the European Commission says. The changes introduce a penalty for the Commission in the event of late payment of grants, meaning that beneficiaries will be paid interest if they do not receive funds within the payment deadline. Recipients will be notified of successful grant applications within three months of the end of a call for proposals, and evaluation results must be communicated within six months.