Simplification Conference – Brussels 8 September 2005Legal and Financial Issues Simplifying participation in EU Research: Opening up accessibility for all Legal and financial issues

Simplification Conference – Brussels 8 September 2005Legal and Financial Issues Problems in FP6 : Not simple to understand or apply Limited (amount, public bodies exempt) Sometimes insufficient to cover the whole risk Costs of financial guarantee reduce amount available for research Can be a deterrent to participation for some Financial collective responsibility

Simplification Conference – Brussels 8 September 2005Legal and Financial Issues Problems in FP6 : Assessment of risk up to each authorising officer Different criteria applied Results in different treatment, repeated requests for information, delays, uncertainty, etc Assessment of financial viability

Simplification Conference – Brussels 8 September 2005Legal and Financial Issues Problems in FP6 : New approach introduced with FP6: greater autonomy and flexibility Advantages and disadvantages of autonomy Advantages and disadvantages of flexibility Problem of uncertainty (mainly management and eligibility of costs – “necessity” of costs) Large consortia and associated consortium agreement problems Flexibility & management autonomy for consortia

Simplification Conference – Brussels 8 September 2005Legal and Financial Issues Problems in FP6 : Committees must approve funding of projects over certain ceilings – this means a Commission decision (and associated internal procedures) are required for each funded project Delays time to contract Added value of Programme Committee approval? Programme Committees