Still too much red tape in EU research, say auditors

The European Court of Auditors has told the European Commission it must continue to reduce the administrative burden on researchers, in a report assessing the efficiency of Framework 7.

Despite significant improvements since 2007, the Framework programme is still hampered by inefficiencies including divergent practices between different sections of the Commission and complex accounting rules, says the Court. These must be improved to provide easier access to EU funds under Horizon 2020.

“Researchers need to be able to apply for grants based on clear and simple rules without administrative burdens, and taking into account their usual accounting practices,” said Ladislav Balko, a member of the ECA in presenting its report on 7 June.