The expert group comprises ten independent experts, who have been appointed by the Commission on the basis of their high level of expertise in the fields of research and technological development and their skills in the different fields covered by FP7, combined with the ability to examine science policy questions and analyse the general context. The group will be lead by Rolf Annerberg, Director General of the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS). The "rapporteur" of the group is Professor Iain Begg from the London School of Economics.

First steps towards simplification on the way

Under the current rules, the Commission has already started implementing practical improvements and this will continue, including notably:

• Better user support: more easily understandable documents, efficient and user-friendly IT tools and optimised business processes to reduce the average time-to-grant and time-to-pay.

• Uniform application of rules: the Commission is committed to ensuring that its organisational set up provides for uniform interpretation and application of the rules and procedures.

• Optimising the structure and timing of calls for proposals: Wherever possible, the Commission will increase the time between call publication and deadline, and take into account major holiday periods.

• More use of prizes: prizes have the advantage of a high leverage effect (many applicants invest resources but only the winner gets funded). They are also easy in terms of financial management (no budgeting or cost reporting, no financial control). In addition, they set scientific-technical targets without specifying the path to reach them or the scientific disciplines to be involved, thus inciting unconventional solutions and multi-disciplinarity. The Commission will initiate a pilot action under FP7.

Source: RAPID Press release, April 29, 2010.