EU Project Management: Updated guidance documents for MSCA and lump-sum projects published

Research institutions, universities and project managers in Germany and across Europe now have new support for managing EU-funded projects: updated guidance has been published for both the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and so-called lump-sum projects under Horizon Europe. The new guidelines are designed to facilitate the legally compliant implementation, administration and financial reporting of European research projects.

Updated MSCA Model Consortium Agreement for Horizon Europe

The Legal Working Group of the Federal Working Group of EU Co-ordinators at German Universities has published a new version of the MSCA Model Consortium Agreement. This non-binding draft agreement is aimed in particular at projects under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchanges funding lines within Horizon Europe.

The template is based on the current DESCA model contract and takes into account key changes in European research funding law. These include, amongst other things, provisions on:

• Governance and project management
• Liability and responsibilities
• Key Associated Partners
• Secondments and mobility measures

The updated guidance supports universities, research institutions and project consortia in implementing MSCA projects more efficiently and in a legally compliant manner.

EU Commission updates guide for lump-sum projects

In parallel, the European Commission has published version 1.5 of the guide “How to manage your lump sum grants”. The guide offers practical explanations for the management of lump-sum grants under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

New additions and expansions include, in particular, guidance on:

• Budget presentation in EU projects
• Operating grants
• In-kind contributions
• Evaluation and settlement of work packages

With these updates, the European Commission aims to further simplify the financial and administrative management of research and innovation projects and to reduce the administrative burden for applicants and project partners.

Support for EU-funded projects in Germany and Bavaria

Professional structures in EU project management are becoming increasingly important, particularly for universities, research institutions, companies and project promoters in Bavaria and Germany. The new guidelines offer valuable guidance for the successful implementation of Horizon Europe projects and international research consortia.

BAYFOR supports Bavarian stakeholders with the application process, consortium formation and implementation of European research and innovation projects under Horizon Europe and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

M. A. Marcus Süß
Team Coordinator Project management
Project Manager EU project CirCoFin
Phone:  +49 911 50715-940
Email: suess@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org