More concerns raised over EU lump-sum funding plan

Another university group urges caution over the planned broader rollout of the alternative funding model

Concerns are continuing to mount over the European Commission’s plan to make broader use of the lump-sum funding model in the EU’s 2021-27 R&D programme, Horizon Europe.

With this model, applicants for research funding are asked to provide more information in advance about what work they intend to do, and successful applicants are then given funds when they reach pre-agreed milestones. The method puts a bigger administrative burden on applicants, but reduces the burden on winners and administrators, as winners do not have to provide detailed receipts for their expenses or go through a financial audit.