EAIC calls for harmonising the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation in Horizon Europe-funded collaborations
Clear evaluation criteria are defined and consistently applied during the evaluation of Horizon Europe project proposals. These criteria serve as important indicators, helping to set the framework and manage expectations. However, once the project begins, no universal evaluation grid is available to guide the monitoring and controlling process to ensure high-quality implementation of Horizon Europe projects. Horizon Europe Beneficiaries report that the monitoring and evaluation of collaborative Horizon Europe projects’ implementation by the EC and its respective funding agencies are currently done in a heterogeneous manner. It largely depends on the individual approach to monitoring and evaluation applied by Project Officers (POs) of the EC, its respective funding agencies, and, occasionally, by external experts during the continuous reporting evaluation, and during the periodic and final review meetings. Consequently, the evaluation of collaborative project implementation varies significantly.
Monitoring and Evaluation in Horizon Europe: From Programme-Level Frameworks to Project-Level Impact
In 2023, the European Commission published the Staff Working Document “Evidence Framework on Monitoring and Evaluation of Horizon Europe”, defining the key impact pathways (KIPs) toward the programme’s strategic and operational objectives.
While this framework represents an important step forward, it remains largely positioned at programme level. The KIPs are aligned with the core evaluation criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, and EU added value, but they lack the concrete key performance indicators (KPIs) required for effective monitoring at project level.
Findings from the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
These limitations were further highlighted in the “Interim Evaluation of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021–2024)”, published by the European Commission in 2025.
The evaluation concluded that medium- and long-term KIPs are in the process of being operationalised, but that implementation remains delayed. One of the main reasons identified is the complexity of the indicator framework itself, which hinders consistent application across projects and programmes.
Additional challenges identified include gaps in portfolio management by project officers, a lack of systematic and continuous monitoring of synergies across funding programmes, and significant inconsistencies in data quality and availability. These issues are often exacerbated by time lags and uneven reporting practices across different programmes.
Why Project-Level Monitoring Matters
Despite these challenges, robust monitoring and evaluation criteria at project level can provide substantial value from the very beginning of a Horizon Europe project.
When applied early, such criteria support effective collaboration among consortium partners, clarify expectations around implementation quality, and facilitate smoother and more successful periodic project reviews. In this sense, monitoring should not be viewed as a compliance exercise, but as a management tool that actively contributes to project success.
The Role of a Harmonised Monitoring Framework
The European Association of Innovation Consultants (EAIC) has consistently highlighted the need for a harmonised framework to monitor and evaluate the quality of project implementation in collaborative research and innovation projects.
According to the EAIC, a common approach applied across Horizon Europe clusters would improve consistency, transparency, and comparability, while also supporting project coordinators, consortia, and project officers in their respective roles.
To this end, the EAIC proposes a set of key areas and indicators designed to guide the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation throughout the lifecycle of Horizon Europe projects. This framework aims to ensure efficient execution, high-quality collaboration, and alignment with programme objectives.
Looking Ahead
As Horizon Europe continues to mature, the ability to translate high-level impact frameworks into actionable project-level monitoring tools will become increasingly important.
Establishing clearer, more harmonised implementation indicators has the potential to strengthen project governance, improve outcomes, and ultimately increase the overall impact of European research and innovation funding.
For project coordinators and consortia alike, embedding monitoring and evaluation principles from the outset is no longer optional — it is a critical success factor.
Read the full article:
EAIC – Project Implementation Assessment Paper
Need help with your funding application?
Our team of experts is ready to help you secure funding for your innovation project.
Contact Us