Official insists wider rollout will bring benefits after multiple university and research organisations voice concerns
The European Commission has pushed back against criticism of its plans for a wider rollout of the lump-sum funding system in the EU’s Horizon Europe R&D programme, after several university and research organisations expressed concern.
Lump-sum funding involves applicants providing details in advance of the predicted costs of their research, and then being paid when they hit milestones rather than the traditional invoicing for costs incurred. University groups and others have warned that it puts more upfront burdens on those applying for grants, and accused the Commission of being hasty in its push to widen the use of lump-sum payments.