The Commission wishes to ensure that researchers working on EU-funded projects are paid at least as much as on national projects.
The Commission has adjusted the salary concept in the Horizon 2020 Model Grant Agreement, putting it in line with national practices. The Model Grant Agreements spell out the rights and obligations of both the Commission and grant beneficiaries. Among others, the Model Grant Agreements outline the conditions for funding the project costs.
How will this improve the funding for beneficiaries with project based remuneration systems?
These measures are supposed to apply retroactively to all on-going Horizon 2020 grants.
Background:
The difference between EU and national projects had, in some countries, created an obstacle for researchers to participate in Horizon 2020. Before this change, Horizon 2020 provisions had some unintended side effects on researchers in some countries with a low basic salary, whose pay in nationally funded projects is improved with larger bonuses.
More details on these changes can be found in the European Commission memo.
