The ANR introduces a new, simpler grant agreement procedure

As part of ongoing efforts to improve its processes, the French National Research Agency (ANR) has introduced a simplified procedure to make it quicker and easier for public entities to sign grant agreements for projects awarded funding, across all calls.

For all ANR-funded research projects, the Agency signs an agreement with the managing authority. To make this process easier, and to support better financial monitoring of projects awarded funding, ANR is rolling out a new tool for validating financial annexes. The tool is embedded in SIM, the project management website used by the Agency, the managing entity and project coordinators.

The tool is available to all authorities managing projects funded on a marginal-cost model. Authorities can validate project-related administrative and financial information online. ANR then issues a grant-award decision in place of the normal agreement.

This new system shortens the grant agreement process for projects awarded funding and allows initial funds to be disbursed more quickly. As well as enabling research work to begin sooner, the arrangement also provides greater clarity for beneficiary entities. The roll-out follows a successful trial with several pilot entities under Generic Call for Proposals (AAPG) 2019.

For questions relating to the new system: campagne.decision(at)anr.fr