ERC lump-sum funding decision imminent

“A lot” would have to change for wide rollout of funding method, says funder’s president

The EU’s flagship research funder, the European Research Council, could decide on a wider rollout of the controversial ‘lump-sum’ method of funding grants in the coming months, according to its president.

With lump-sum funding, researchers must provide more detailed spending plans before starting work, but in exchange they are relieved of some cost-tracking burdens.