Iglo Report Shows Growth in Lump-Sum Funding
The third annual assessment finds increased administrator support for Horizon Europe's shift toward lump-sum grant models.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Financial Aid
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A new report from Iglo highlights a significant increase in the use of lump-sum funding within the Horizon Europe program. Findings from workshops with over 60 research institutions show administrators are increasingly positive about the funding model.
Why it matters
The report aims to determine if lump-sum funding successfully simplifies administrative workflows for researchers and grant managers. This shift is intended to reduce the burden of financial reporting during the lifecycle of research projects.
In 2026, 50% of Horizon Europe grants are awarded as lump sums, a sharp increase from the 5% recorded in 2022. This assessment reflects feedback from administrators at more than 60 European universities and research organizations.
The players
Iglo
An organization that maintains liaison offices in Brussels and focuses on the coordination of European research funding.
Horizon Europe
The primary European Union funding program for research and innovation that coordinates international science investment.
The details
The report, which marks the third annual assessment by Iglo, gathered insights from professional administrators in Brussels and across Europe. The findings indicate that the transition to lump-sum management is receiving more favorable reviews compared to earlier implementation phases.
Timeline
In 2022, lump-sum grants accounted for 5% of Horizon Europe awards.
As of 2026, lump-sum grants comprise 50% of Horizon Europe awards.
Culture Shift
The transition to lump-sum distributions reflects a broader trend toward simplifying complex bureaucratic procedures within the Horizon Europe funding framework. By streamlining the grant management process, the initiative moves away from legacy models that required intensive granular financial reporting.
For researchers and institutional staff, this shift potentially reduces the time spent on administrative financial tasks during project implementation. Adopting these new management standards requires universities to adjust internal tracking to align with the lump-sum reporting cycles.
The takeaway
The increasing shift toward lump-sum grants suggests that simplified financial models are gaining traction among research administrators. Institutions should prepare for continued evolution in grant management as these administrative policies become the new standard.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Financial Aid resources.
Live Poll
Do you believe simplified lump-sum grant processes make research funding more effective for your local institutions?
