What do funding agencies mean by “final study report”?
For funding agencies — including ABM, NCBR and European bodies — the final report is not merely a scientific summary. It is a comprehensive document demonstrating that the project was executed according to the grant application, schedule and eligibility rules. It confirms proper use of public funds and the scientific value generated.
In practice, the final report includes three core components:
- Scientific section – methodology, statistical analyses, results and conclusions.
- Operational section – study conduct summary, recruitment figures, protocol changes and rationale.
- Financial section – detailed expenditure report with full documentation.
The report must be coherent, transparent and auditable — allowing verification against source documentation (medical and financial).
CRO teams — including statisticians, data managers and medical writers — prepare the essential reports that feed into the sponsor’s final grant report. These documents may include:
• Statistical Report – methods, analyses and interpretations,
• Clinical Study Report (CSR) – prepared according to ICH E3,
• Non-Interventional Study Report (NIS) – for observational studies.
For funding institutions, the final report is not only evidence of work performed but also proof of responsible public fund management and the scientific value of the investment.
