European research projects I know about get their expenses reimbursed after the fact. For example, you buy some (potentially very) expensive equipment, claim th

European research projects I know about get their expenses reimbursed after the fact. For example, you buy some (potentially very) expensive equipment, claim the expenses in the yearly financial report and (if the Commission accepts your claims after review) receive money to your institution's account. That can be a year and a half after you had to pay for your equipment and in the mean time your research institute, university, etc. must cover it for you. I don't find it surprising that people are anxious to proceed with projects when there is uncertainty whether they will get their expenses paid in the end.