3.1. Closing a project

During the project implementation phase, it is important to ensure that all the activities planned are carried out within the project’s timeframe and budget. In the case of some actions it is possible to incur expenses for a certain number of days after the end of project’s eligibility period if so agreed in the funding agreement. Such expenditure includes, for example, the payment of taxes on salaries or the payment of invoices issued during the eligibility period but due after the eligibility period.

A project ends when the last report has been approved, the last grant payment has been received and, if necessary the own contribution and funds to cover the ineligible costs have been transferred to the financing source.

In some cases, in projects funded by European Commission, such as H2020, Horizon Europe, costs related to drafting and submitting the periodic report for the last reporting period and the final report are eligible even if they are incurred after the action duration. Those costs include the cost of certificates on the financial statements (CFS) required by the GA and the cost of participating in a final review carried out by the Commission/Agency before the submission of the final reports. They may also include the cost of personnel necessary to prepare the periodic report for the last reporting period and the final report. However, they do NOT include research or innovation activities undertaken after the end date of the action.

In the case of many funding schemes, there is an obligation to report also after the end of the project, usually within 5 years of receiving the last payment - to report on economic activities (infrastructure projects), publications (H2020 projects, see also chapter “Publications, communication of project results during and after the implementation of the project”).