Based on the work of EUA's Working Group on the Simplification of FP7
Funding Mechanisms, a "EUA Statement on FP7 Rules of Participation proposals
for support rates and cost models"
was adopted by the EUA Council 30 March 2006.
The European Commission's current proposal for the FP7 Rules of
Participation outlines some major changes, one of which includes the
elimination of the FP6 cost models in favour of a single cost model -
the payment of both eligible direct and indirect costs where these can
be fully accounted for. Although EUA welcomes the proposed new cost
model as a valuable step towards realising the principle of full
economic research costs funding, it warns also that immediate
implementation could be difficult due to the fact that in many countries
universities do not yet possess appropriate accounting systems to
operate using this model.
EUA argues, therefore, that there should be a "transition phase" in
which universities can further develop their accounting systems in order
to be able to operate on full eligible research cost principles by the
end of FP7. The transition phase should involve the fixing of the
critical flat rate payment (on research and development activities for
public bodies and higher education institutions) for indirect research
costs at 60% of total direct costs.
EUA was invited to present its views on this issue at a meeting with
the Cabinet of EU Research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik, on 4 April
2006. EUA has indicated its willingness to also present working models
based on FP project experience from several EU countries to demonstrate
that the above proposal would ensure an equitable and fair transition
phase for universities while at the same time providing them with
incentives to identify their full costs. EUA will put forward also its
views in the public debate and during the European Parliament's
deliberations on the FP7 Rules of Participation and generally seek to
raise awareness amongst its university membership.
A first step in this process was a workshop entitled "Universities'
Participation in FP7: Towards Full Costs Support" which took place 5
May 2006, hosted by the Czech Rectors’ Conference and Charles
University, Prague. The workshop aimed at raising awareness within the
EUA membership – with thirty university participants from the Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Estonia and Austria – to discuss the
proposed new “Rules of Participation” and the major changes they imply,
particularly with respect to the re-imbursement of research costs and
how they will affect the university sector in relation to the future
sustainability of externally funded research projects. A particular aim
of the workshop was to assess and debate the prospects (and barriers)
for universities to operate effectively on the eligible research costs
model proposed in FP7. The workshop demonstrated that most universities
in the region have used the additional costs model. Re-training for the
new rules on eligible research costs would need considerable time and
resources, particularly in adapting accounting systems.
The workshop focused debate on the “EUA Statement on the Rules of
Participation Proposals for Support Rates and Cost Models“, with the
Association’s viewpoint finding strong support amongst university
participants at the workshop. Without such a transition phase to enable
universities in the region to prepare fully for eligible research cost
accounting, there was felt to be a serious risk of a fall in
participation levels of New Member State universities in FP7.