Content of the Grant Agreement
In Horizon Europe, the Grant Agreement is based on a standard template, the General Model Grant Agreement (MGA), which is also used in other EU programmes. Most provisions are predefined and not subject to negotiation. However, certain elements (e.g. project start date, duration, budget and funding rates) are agreed individually during the grant preparation phase.
The MGA includes optional clauses and special provisions that apply depending on the type of project and are clearly indicated.
At the beginning of the contract, a Data Sheet summarises the key project-specific information (e.g. duration, budget, funding rates, reporting obligations).
Where explicitly allowed (so-called “default provisions”), the consortium may deviate from certain standard rules of the Grant Agreement in the Consortium Agreement.
Additional or specific rules for certain project types (e.g. ERC, EIC, co-funded partnerships) are set out in the Grant Agreement, in particular in Annex 5.
Structure
- Preamble: Identification of the contracting parties
- Data Sheet: Overview of key project data and contractual parameters
- Chapter 1 – General: Definitions and basic provisions
- Chapter 2 – Action: Content and implementation of the project
- Chapter 3 – Grant: Financial provisions
- Chapter 4 – Implementation: Rights and obligations during project implementation (e.g. third parties, ethics, security, intellectual property, reporting, audits)
- Chapter 5 – Consequences: e.g. rejection of costs, reduction of the grant, suspensions
- Chapter 6 – Final provisions: e.g. amendments, deadlines, applicable law
Annexes:
- Annex 1: Description of the Action (project description)
- Annex 2: Budget (estimated costs)
- Annex 2a: Information on unit costs (if applicable)
- Annex 3 / 3a: Accession forms and, where applicable, liability declarations
- Annex 4: Model for Financial Statements
- Annex 5: Additional or specific provisions (project-specific)
Practical considerations
- Binding nature: The content of Annex 1 (Description of the Action) is binding and central for assessing project implementation and the eligibility of costs.
- Interaction with the Consortium Agreement: The Grant Agreement is complemented by the Consortium Agreement (however, in case of conflict, the provisions of the GA prevail).
- Amendments: Changes during the project (e.g. regarding partners, tasks or budget affecting Annex 1) usually require a formal amendment.
- Annotated Grant Agreement (AGA): Detailed explanations and practical examples are provided in the AGA. Many important details—especially regarding cost eligibility—are explained there more comprehensively than in the contract itself.