Grant settlement, the most common mistakes and how to avoid them
Most problems arise not at the application stage, but at settlement. Here are the mistakes that most often end in a correction or a return of funds.
Settlement decides whether the grant actually stays in the company. It is at this stage that the institution verifies expenditure and compliance with the agreement, and detected mistakes mean corrections or a return of funds. Below are the most common pitfalls.
Ineligible costs
An expense outside the catalogue of eligible costs, or incurred before the relevant date, will not be accepted. It is worth checking each item against the competition rules before making a purchase.
No proper contractor selection procedure
For procurement, competitiveness rules apply. Failing to publish the enquiry or the offer selection documentation is one of the most common reasons for corrections.
Schedule overruns
Delays without notifying the institution of changes can block payment. Annexes and change notifications must be submitted in advance, not after the fact.
Inconsistent documentation
Invoices, acceptance protocols and bank statements must form a coherent whole. Discrepancies in dates or amounts lengthen verification and increase the risk of a correction.
If you are delivering a project and want to settle it safely, see our grant settlement service or get in touch.