EU framework programme

EU Framework Programme

Currently, Uppsala University maintains active research projects within both FP 7 and Horizon 2020. The regulatory frameworks for the two programmes differ in certain respects. The goal of the Commission for H2020 has been to simplify participation and administration of the projects compared to previous framework programmes. More information on the differences can be found here.

Useful quick reference guides for employees who administer EU projects:
Quick reference guide for project initiation – H2020
Quick reference guide for project initiation – H2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie
General quick reference guide financial reports – FP7
Quick reference guide Financial reports – FP7 Marie Curie
General quick reference guide financial reports H2020
Quick reference guide financial reports H2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie

Some important points concerning EU projects:

· The European Commission’s requirements and regulatory frameworks call for relatively extensive documentation, which can be time-consuming.

· Joint funding is often required for direct costs in FP7. In other words, the EU grant does not cover all expenses.

· Sometimes, co-funding by the University may be required, i.e. the EU grant is not guaranteed to cover the entirety of the department’s expenses. This is particularly important for H2020, which uses a lower percentage for indirect costs than FP7.

· UU uses the “Special Transitional Flat Rate” for all projects of the seventh framework programme. This is a method for calculating indirect costs that is used for reporting any expenses that may arise in the project. Flat rate is also used for H2020, with 25 per cent for all projects.

· Time reports are required in order to verify personnel expenses. Within H2020, no time reports are required for personnel that are engaged full-time by the project for the entire reporting period, BUT as the calculation of valid salary expenses is dependent on the number of hours in the project, it is recommended that ALL employees in H2020 projects report their hours.

· The purpose of travel expenses must always be verified through enclosed documentation.

· As part of the financial report, the EUR exchange rate of the first bank day after the report period shall be used for FP7 projects.

· In H2020, an average of the daily EUR exchange rate for the entire report period shall be used for financial reports. The ECB’s tool for calculating the average daily rate can be found here. See also below for current published average rates.

· Non-deductible Swedish VAT is a valid expense in the context of H2020. This includes VAT that has been filed as part of, for instance, rental car fees.