Horizon 2020 proposals receive good reaction from LERU

LERU, the League of European Research Universities, has responded to the new Horizon 2020 proposals from the European Commission, welcoming the simplified process for research project participants, which will see a reimbursement of 100% of direct costs. The move supports the financial sustainability of university participation in H2020.

Other measures that LERU welcome in terms of making the process easier include a single set of rules for all components of H2020, with a broader acceptance of the accounting practices of participants and a removal of the need for EU project workers to ‘time sheet’.

The H2020 proposals set out support and strengthening of the ERC and Marie Curie Actions as a clear goal and the LERU welcomes the extension of the FET programme to all themes. However they consider that the budgetary proposals do not correspond with these ambitions – the funding for the ‘excellent science block’ should be increased, in particular for both the ERC and the Marie Curie Actions.

The less prescriptive topic descriptions in the calls for research proposals are also welcomed, as they pave the way for bottom-up research approaches. LERU considers the inclusion of the challenge of ‘Inclusive, innovative and secure societies’ for research in social sciences and humanities to be very important.

After a positive first reaction, LERU will go on to evaluate the details of H2020 in full.

Published: Thursday, 1st December 2011 by Ellen Haggan