On November 30, 2011 the European Commission has published a proposal for "Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation" (2014-2020).
Horizon 2020 will run from 2014-2020 and will integrate the European Framework Programme, the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME ) as well as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The overall budget, which the Commission has put forward will be EUR 80 billion.
What is more, the Commission has presented its proposal for the Rules for Participation for „Horizon 2020“ (Proposal for the rules for the participation and dissemination in „Horizon 2020“).
Main changes in comparison to the 7th Framework programme concern the following:
Funding rates (Article 22)
There will be only one single funding rate per project („action“) in “Horizon 2020”. The former distinction between different types of activities and organizations will be abolished. The default option will be a single funding rate of max. 100% of the total eligible costs per action.
The costs of actions with predominantly market-oriented activities (e.g. demonstrating, testing, piloting, experimental development) will be reimbursed by a rate of max. 70 %. A maximum funding rate of 75% is also foreseen for the co-funding international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary programmes (“programme co-fund actions”), which are not implemented by the European Commission.
Individual calls may also foresee lump-sum or scale of unit financing.
Indirect costs (Article 24)
According to the Commission’s proposal indirect costs will reimbursed via a flat rate of 20% of the total eligible direct costs. This excludes direct eligible costs for subcontracting and the costs of resources made available by third parties, which are not used on the premises of the beneficiary, as well as financial support the third parties.
Non-profit organizations with an analytical accounting system can be reimbursed on the basis of actual indirect costs. This will, however, require a certificate of the methodology. The criteria for applying for and obtaining such a certificate in “Horizon 2020” have not yet been published by the Commission.
Time recording (Article 25)
In general, a comprehensive time recording is still required as documentation for hours dedicated to the project.
For persons working exclusively for the action, no time recording is required. In such cases, the participant will only be required to sign a declaration confirming that the person has worked exclusively for the action.
Certificates on the financial statements (Article 28)
Audit certificates shall be required for an EC contribution equal or higher than EUR 325,000 EUR by a participant.
Funding schemes (Article 48, 49)
In future, project funding mechanisms will increasingly include schemes such as inducement prizes and support in public procurement activities.
Dissemination of research results (Article 38-46)
Rules for the dissemination of research results are broadly based on the rules laid down for the 7th Framework Programme.
The definition of research results (“results” formerly “foreground”) is now broadened to include not only new knowledge and information, but also data. Further, the Commission’s proposal foresees the expansion of the “open access”- scheme already having been in operation since the beginning of FP7.
http://www.kowi.de/en/Portaldata/2/Resources/horizon2020/Proposal-Horizon2020-RoP.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm