Starting in 2023, the FNR shifts to a new reporting process, the goal of reducing the burden of reporting for all sides, allowing space for a broader range of research outputs to be recognised, and building trust with everyone in the research and science communication ecosystem. This new reporting process was built through an inclusive process with the research institutions, with useful feedback on both our current processes as well as potential improvements received from researchers and administrative staff with reporting experience. The slides from the webinar on 1 February are now available!
View unified FNR reporting guidelines (to be incorporated across FNR website on all programme pages + Download Center)
New reporting templates have been developed which are aligned across almost all FNR programmes, with a focus on implementation in the early and middle phase of the project, shifting to a focus on outputs at the end of the project. All ongoing and new projects will use these new templates, which have been integrated into the online grant management system. All the information required to submit for reporting will be in one place and will allow for a more reflective reporting which allows space for a broader set of research-related outputs and achievements.
For FNR-funded projects starting in 2023, a new and more structured set of reporting deadlines will go into effect, with more deadlines spread over the calendar year to further reduce the overall burden across the system. For ongoing projects, the new templates will be required, but the existing deadlines should be respected.
The new reporting will consist of three parts (depending on the funding scheme), shown in the figure above. In this way, the focus will be more on implementation in the early and middle phase of the project, shifting to a focus on outputs at the end of the project. A lay section will be included in the final report, to foster communication between research and the greater public.
In addition, the new reporting supports an ongoing reflection on the project by the responsible team, to support continuous learning for both the active project and all future projects. Finally, we will make a structured system of reporting deadlines, allowing more deadlines over the calendar year to further reduce the overall burden across the system.
This new reporting process, including templates and deadlines, will take effect for all FNR-funded projects starting from January 2023. For ongoing projects, the new templates will be required, but the existing deadlines should be respected.