DESCA HE 2.0 is fit for Horizon Europe Research and innovation actions and Innovation actions funded via Horizon Europe Actual Cost Grants and Lump Sum Grants, taking into account the feedback of stakeholders. The DESCA Coordinators and Core Group Members presented the novelties of DESCA HE 2.0 at the DESCA HE 2.0 launch event and DESCA celebration “DESCA - 15 years anniversary”. The presentation is available here.
The DESCA Horizon Europe models take into account requirements stemming from the rules of the new EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe and experience of the user community in working with DESCA 2020, as well as other legal developments. To compare DESCA for Horizon Europe with DESCA for Horizon 2020 you will find an overview of modifications and amendments here.
August 2025: DESCA HE AP Version 2.0 for involving Associated Partners
DESCA HE AP 2.0 is designed for collaborative Horizon Europe Research and innovation actions and Innovation actions in which all Beneficiaries involve one or more Associated Partner(s).
Merging DESCA HE 2.0 with DESCA AP Version 1 for Horizon Europe and introducing changes based on feedback of the DESCA Consultation Group and experiences of the DESCA Core Group, we developed DESCA HE AP 2.0. It offers alternative subsections for Actual Cost Grants and Lump Sum Grants with Associated Partners (Art. 9.1 HE Grant Agreement).
Associated Partners do not sign the Grant Agreement and do not receive funding from the European Union. Therefore, specific sections for their involvement and collaboration in the project are necessary. For guidance regarding the reasoning behind new elements, we included comments (Word format).
What is DESCA
The signature of a Consortium Agreement between the partners of a research project is mandatory for most EU research projects. DESCA (Development of a Simplified Consortium Agreement) is a comprehensive Model Consortium Agreement for such projects. It was initiated by key stakeholders for the 7th EU Framework Programme in 2006 and has been updated for both Horizon 2020 and for Horizon Europe in consultation with the stakeholder community. DESCA offers a reliable frame of reference for project consortia and enjoys broad support within the community.
The European Commission offers general guidance for the drafting of consortium agreements, but rightfully does not endorse a specific model consortium agreement. More information
Who is behind DESCA
The DESCA Core Group is composed of ANRT, EARTO, KoWi, LERU, VTT, ZENIT and coordinated by Fraunhofer and the Helmholtz Association.
The DESCA Consultation Group, which provides vital expertise for the development of DESCA, consists of around 100 experts from Academia, Research and Technology Organisations and Industry from all over Europe, as well as from other countries involved in the framework programmes.
DESCA aims to provide, as far as possible, a single model which balance the interests of all types of project participants. However, DESCA recognises the difference between Actual Cost Grants and Lump Sum Grants in Horizon Europe. Moreover, different projects will have different objectives and that the interests of the partners may also differ. DESCA tries to accommodate such differences. More information
