All actions: In the absence of timesheets, do the same kind of declarations (‘EU grants declaration on exclusive work for the action’) have to be submitted at each reporting period under Horizon Europe as under Horizon 2020?

Timesheets and declarations are not requested in MSCA projects (contrary to other Horizon Europe actions based on actual costs). To prove that the researcher worked on their MSCA project, it is sufficient to present a contract with the host institution together with additional documents proving the fellow’s dedication to the project, if needed.

Moreover, declarations are not allowed by the auditors. REA has confirmed that the declaration on exclusive work is not applicable for audits carried out in MSCA ITN, IF and COFUND actions to determine time spent working on the action. It is expected this will continue in Horizon Europe.

As outlined in the H2020 Indicative Audit Programme, such evidence may include lab books, attendance lists, conference abstracts, library records, travel expenses, timesheets, reports to supervisor, meeting minutes, e-mail exchanges, etc. and other open sources (e.g. the internet) to see if the researcher worked on activities other than their  project. The auditors will also look at the researcher's employment contract or corresponding agreement to see if it complies with Article 32 of the H2020 Annotated Model Grant Agreement, including but not limited to the obligation that the researcher works exclusively for the action.

All actions: Under the Postdoctoral Fellowships, the Doctoral Networks and COFUND actions, should fellows working half-time under MSCA projects fill in timesheets?

Fellows need documentation in the form of a contract that shows the 50% commitment or something similar since MSCA does not typically operate with timesheets.

Auditors will check all kind of evidence that the doctoral candidate worked exclusively and full-time (or part-time, if agreed by the Research Executive Agency) on the project within the beneficiary's premises or the premises of an associated partner during a secondment. Examples of evidence that can be provided are laboratory books, attendance list, conference abstracts, library records, travel expenses, reports to supervisor, meeting minutes, e-mail exchanges and, other open sources (internet) which show that the researcher worked on the action tasks.