NRFU-SE Webinar Series: Financial Management of Research Projects: From Grant Application to Successful Implementation

The fifth webinar in the joint Science Europe–National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) series Building Capacity in the Ukrainian Research and Innovation Ecosystem focused on effective financial management throughout the research project life-cycle. Held on 25 September 2026, the session explored practical approaches to budget planning, grant implementation, financial reporting, and accountability, drawing on experiences from the European Commission, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Estonian Research Council (ETAG).

The discussions highlighted different approaches to balancing administrative efficiency, flexibility, and financial oversight. The European Commission presented Horizon Europe's actual-cost and lump-sum funding models, emphasising the potential of simplified funding arrangements to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining accountability. CSIC shared its experience of managing research projects within a large, decentralised institution, highlighting the importance of dedicated research management staff, clear responsibilities, and effective internal procedures. ETAG presented its trust-based approach to grant management, combining simplified reporting and budget flexibility with proportionate financial controls.

A central conclusion was that effective financial management should support research rather than create unnecessary administrative complexity. Strong institutional research management capacity, clear communication between researchers and funders, and appropriate flexibility in budget management were identified as essential elements of successful project implementation. The discussions also emphasised the importance of maintaining researcher autonomy, particularly in decisions concerning the scientific and resource needs of projects.

For Ukraine, the exchange offered valuable perspectives on strengthening research management capacity and further developing financial procedures aligned with European practices. The experiences shared demonstrated that, while no single model is applicable to all organisations, common principles of transparency, proportionality, trust, and accountability can help create a more efficient and resilient research funding environment.