COVID-19: Research Executive Agency business continuity measures

The Research Executive Agency (REA) is taking several measures to minimise the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this challenging moment, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the staff and of the people to work with remains our top priority.

The majority of the staff is working remotely since Monday 16 March, like all other European Commission services. While the REA is doing its best to remain fully operational, it is facing numerous challenges, especially when it comes to the stability of our IT applications.

Latest decisions taken at European Commission level which have an impact on our research management activities:

Calls for project proposals

As announced by the Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner on Twitter, the deadlines for Horizon 2020 calls with original deadlines between 16 March and 15 April are extended. The precise new deadlines for each call and topic will be published on the call and topic pages on the Funding and Tenders Portal.

Evaluations

Ongoing and upcoming project proposals evaluations are being organised remotely. We are grateful to our excellent expert evaluators and devoted staff, who are working hard to ensure top quality evaluations while keeping the deadlines.

Grant management

Grant management activities are continuing, however our response time may be affected due to IT constraints. We are applying a flexible approach to grant management and our staff is assessing each request on a case-by-case basis. In case of doubt, get in touch with your Project Officer and check the FAQs on the Funding and Tenders Portal.

The above decisions may change or evolve anytime due to these exceptional circumstances. We are continuously monitoring the situation and will provide you with further updates on this page and via Twitter.

More information

Press release