Anita TREGNER’s Post

Greece demonstrates its dominance in Horizon Europe by claiming 6 out of 10 top spots in the Widening countries' performance scale, with Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) notably leading the charge as a pinnacle of Greek research and innovation. Needless to say, Greece has some aces up its sleeves in securing funds from the Horizon Europe Widening program. The key strategy that allowed CERTH to climb the ladder and reach over €100 million in grants emphasizes the importance of: - aligning proposals with EU objectives - securing reliable partners - emphasizing project impact Another great example of a successful Horizon Europe performer, Estonia's University of Tartu sheds light on the benefits of building a dedicated grant office to support R&D funding. This surge in performance among Widening countries signals a significant improvement in their efforts to continuously secure more funds from the Horizon Europe Widening program. It's clear that their key strategies are working, driving their projects to winning positions. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to securing every funding opportunity, these strategies offer valuable guidance. However, success demands a better understanding of each call and a deep dive into the innovation landscape to reach the full potential impact of ideas and stand out among all others. #HorizonEurope #ResearchFunding #Innovation https://lnkd.in/epJmxuzx

Last week, Canada formally joined Horizon Europe, the EU’s €95 billion research program, enabling Canadian researchers to collaborate with European partners on an equal footing. This agreement, covering Pillar II of the program, typically supports consortia of academics and companies to overcome industrial, social and environmental challenges. The scientific cooperation between Canada and the EU marks a significant milestone in their geopolitical alliance. This arrangement simplifies participation by allowing Canadian researchers to apply for funding through a single application process and coordinate projects. However, participation does not extend to the European Research Council and European Innovation Council. Negotiations, which started in 2018, encountered delays but were successfully concluded in 2024. The EU has also had to negotiate association with the UK, which agreed on terms last September, and hopes to finalize negotiations with Switzerland this summer. #HorizonEurope #Canada #EuropeanUnion #Research #STEMwise

🔬🌍 Missed Opportunity: Australia Withdraws from Horizon Europe Program Australia's recent decision to withdraw from talks to join the Horizon Europe program has left sector leaders disappointed and concerned, according to a recent article in Times Higher Education. The Horizon Europe program, known as the world's largest research initiative, offers countries the chance to participate in and benefit from groundbreaking research endeavors. This withdrawal is seen as a missed chance for Australia to enhance its research capabilities and collaborations, leading to concerns about the long-term negative impacts on the country's research landscape. Australian sector leaders express disappointment and emphasize the importance of international collaboration in driving innovation and research outcomes. The Horizon Europe program stands as a global platform for researchers, educators, and industry professionals to collaborate and drive groundbreaking projects. Australia's withdrawal from the discussions is seen as a setback for its research community and its potential contributions to the global scientific landscape. ✨ Are you concerned about the implications of Australia's withdrawal from the Horizon Europe program? How do you think it will affect the country's research capabilities and international collaborations? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #Research #Collaboration #HorizonEurope #Science #GlobalResearch

🚨 NEW FUNDING ALERT 🚨 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Research Innovation Scotland International Collaboration Fund, delivered by Research Innovation Scotland and funded by The Scottish Government via the Scottish Funding Council. 🌍 Scope of Funding: This fund promotes connectivity between Scotland and European research partners, aiming to strengthen existing relationships, seed new ones, and create pathways to European research funding. Funding can be sought for: 1️⃣ Visits & exchanges between Scotland and European partners 2️⃣ Preparatory activities for Horizon Europe opportunities 🏆 You can apply for: Up to £5,000 for visits and exchanges Up to £2,000 for preparatory activities Funding covers travel, accommodation, subsistence, and additional costs arising from Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) considerations. ✈️ Bilateral Exchanges: Funding supports both inbound travel for researchers from EU, EEA, and EFTA countries and outbound travel for researchers from Scottish universities. 🎓 Eligibility: Open to researchers from any discipline or department within Scottish universities or research institutes. Applicants are expected to align with Horizon Europe and the development of the upcoming FP10 framework. 📅 Important Dates: Call Opens: 18th September 2024 Call Closes: 21st October 2024 Activity Period: 16th November 2024 – 31st March 2025 📝 More Info: Visit the Research Innovation Scotland website for full details on eligibility and how to apply https://lnkd.in/e9bQkPVJ Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your European research connections! #ResearchInnovation #InternationalCollaboration #HorizonEurope #ScotlandResearch #STEAM

Yesterday, YERUN reacted to Commissioner-designate Ekaterina Zaharieva’s European Parliament hearing, where she outlined priorities for strengthening #research and #innovation (R&I) across #Europe. Zaharieva’s five key focuses—improving the European Research Area (#ERA), fostering the #startup ecosystem, investing in key technologies, promoting #genderequality, and securing a robust #budget — strongly align with YERUN’s mission and objectives. YERUN’s response reinforces the importance of coordinated investment to meet the 3% GDP R&I funding target, urges streamlined bureaucratic procedures for #HorizonEurope, and emphasise the need for dedicated support to universities outside of alliances, particularly for balanced regional growth. Additionally, YERUN values Zaharieva’s commitment to the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (#SSH) as essential to tackling complex societal issues alongside technological advancements. We remain committed to engaging with the Commissioner-designate and looking forward, we call for further clarity on:  🔸 Concrete budget commitments for Horizon Europe and the next FP;  🔸A robust implementation of the fifth freedom, enabling synergies between R&I and education and recognising the essential role of universities;  🔸Concrete actions to improve R&I career attractiveness and retain talent within Europe;  🔸Address the progress on the initiative on the Reform of Research Assessment and CoARA.  A renewed, strengthened ERA with #universities at its core is essential for Europe’s R&I, #welfare, and #competitiveness. YERUN stands ready to support this vision, in collaboration with the Commission and Member States, as Europe works towards a resilient and inclusive ERA for all. 👀 Access the full article here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dAMmEMwH Brunel University of London Nicolaus Copernicus University Universidade Nova de Lisboa Maastricht University University of Rome Tor Vergata UiT- The Arctic University of Norway Ulm University Universidad Carlos III de Madrid University of Antwerp University of Bremen University of Cyprus University of Essex University of Eastern Finland Universität Klagenfurt University of Konstanz University of Limerick University of South-Eastern Norway Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark Université Paris Dauphine - PSL University of Potsdam Sveučilište u Rijeci / University of Rijeka University of Stirling Tallinn University Coimbra Group The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities European University Association UNICA - Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe CESAER EU-LIFE Research Matters Campaign European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Gosse Simon Vuijk Dario Capezzuto Sergej Možina Maria Cristina Russo

In a significant step for global research and innovation, Canada has officially joined Horizon Europe. This announcement, originally made in November 2023, has now been formally signed. With this association, Canada joins New Zealand and South Korea as the latest non-European countries to participate in Horizon Europe. "The challenges we face are global and we must work together to tackle them. I wholeheartedly welcome Canada in our Horizon Europe programme,” stated Iliana Ivanova, EU Research Commissioner, during the signing ceremony in Canada. https://lnkd.in/dP-rB5Cz Review the steps leading to this partnership - Canadian researchers set out hopes for Horizon Europe association: https://lnkd.in/ddW8uDNx - Canada and EU enter final stage of negotiations over Horizon Europe association: https://lnkd.in/de8i2Nxy Find out the latest news on other non-EU countries joining Horizon Europe - EU opens exploratory talks with Singapore on Horizon Europe association: https://lnkd.in/dgNMEVu2 - Swiss Horizon Europe talks aim for agreement in summer: https://lnkd.in/dZkWQf48 - It’s official: UK to associate to Horizon Europe: https://lnkd.in/eCr2dWfC Keep up to date with global research and innovation news. Get the latest news by subscribing to our newsletters: https://lnkd.in/dH_REdG2

From July 2021 until now, Switzerland has been largely limited in its participation in the Horizon Europe project. Swiss researchers could only participate to a very limited extent, and if projects ended successfully, all financing came from the Confederation. They were completely excluded from individual projects, calls for proposals from the European Research Council, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and the European Innovation Council. This was the reality for Swiss researchers for some time. However, today brings new developments in this area. With the Federal Council adopting a dispatch on program association, Switzerland can now advance towards participation in Horizon Europe. This marks a new beginning in overcoming the EU-Swiss dispute. If this time assessment is successful, there will be a whole new spectrum of research collaboration opportunities. Still, negotiations remain pending, and the outcome heavily relies on Swiss payment for the second enlargement contribution and a specific agreement. #HorizonEurope https://lnkd.in/ds222xd9

Sculpting excellence across various disciplines, Swiss researchers contribute to research areas like life sciences, engineering, and information technology. Switzerland's research infrastructure provides valuable resources for projects, enhancing their quality and impact. This collaboration lays a solid foundation for driving new innovations, supporting cooperation, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges. However, the enlargement process for the Horizon Europe scheme puts heavy pressure on nations in the Widening program, manifesting as competitive disadvantages, limited infrastructure access, and brain drain. To maintain competitiveness and ensure a fair shot, Widening countries must receive support from the EU system through inclusive policies and improved Widening measures overall. #HorizonEurope #FP10 #Widening

📣 YERUN Reflection: Much more than competitiveness 📣 Today, EU Ministers responsible for #research convene to adopt key policies during the Competitiveness Council. YERUN welcomes the set of conclusions on research but urges leaders to consider a broader perspective beyond #competitiveness. 🇧🇪 🇪🇺 Under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024, the discussions under R&I focused on better #valorisation, #security in research and the future outlook of the EU R&I Framework Programme, here are YERUN reflections: 📌 Contributing to the discussion from the perspective of young research #universities and their needs, YERUN advocates for ensuring a balanced approach that allows universities to ensure #openness and security 📌 As already stated in our policy input in response to the call for evidence on boosting research security in the EU, YERUN emphasises the importance of maintaining openness in research collaboration while safeguarding against restrictions that could hinder Europe's competitiveness. Additionally, governments and the EU should provide support for institutional preparedness and action, while trusting the expertise and autonomy of universities to determine which research should be restricted or openly shared and valued 📌 YERUN advocates for a broader approach on #knowledgevalorisation beyond economic focus, empowering universities and engaging with diverse societal actors to maximise societal impact 📌 YERUN emphasises the importance of shaping the future #FP10 to be attractive, impactful, and inclusive. Stressing the interconnectedness and nonlinear progression of #research and #innovation, YERUN advocates for continued investment in research as a catalyst for both short-term innovation and long-term societal impact, essential for enhancing European competitiveness and fostering broader societal change R&I. As the recent Enrico Letta report states in ‘Much more than a market’, a fifth freedom is needed to reach the full potential of R&I in #European society. However, this should amount to ‘much more than competitiveness’. We call for European policymakers and stakeholders to seize this opportunity to embrace the full potential that forward-looking research universities can bring in tackling global challenges which require open international collaboration, foster broad societal impact and improve lives of citizens in Europe and beyond. Read our full reflection here 👇  https://lnkd.in/d4d6ymxH Iliana Ivanova European Commission Council of the European Union Anna Panagopoulou EU Science, Research and Innovation

Today, the Competitiveness Council under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 has adopted a series of Council conclusions and recommendations on crucial topics for #universities and stakeholders in R&I. From the work that YERUN - Young European Research Universities has done on these files, we highlighted below key 3 ones: 🌟 Research Security 🌟 Knowledge Valorisation 🌟 Ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 to pave the way to #FP10 Many things are to highlight but I personally retain the discussions on the ex-post evaluation of #Horizon2020 towards #FP10. 🔔 We need to foster a life-cycle approach to R&I, not a liner one, enabling this continuum with funding opportunities and acknowledging that innovation and research happen together. Bottom up collaborative research is essential. 🔔We need sustainable and ringfenced budget for FP10, ensuring appropriate investments are in place to foster our knowledge & human capital and give the right opportunities for our scientific careers. 🔔The focus on industrial competitiveness cannot unbalance the needs to focus on delivering on research and innovation priorities. We shall continue putting emphasis on valorisation of outputs and highlight even more our #SocialImpact. For those wanted to read the final texts, you can check the link below: https://lnkd.in/gYkqtq5C #ResearchMatters Council of the European Union European Commission Iliana Ivanova Theresia Feldmann, PhD