Periodic Reporting for period 2 - T4ERI (Transform 4 European Research and Innovation)
Reporting period: 2023-04-01 to 2024-09-30
Transform4Europe (T4EU) is a university alliance of proven excellence in strategic collaboration. It has been awarded European funding to pursue joint strategies in education and mobility, focussing on collaboration between the universities and a wealth of non-university stakeholders from the surrounding regions in a multi-actor knowledge and innovation ecosystem. For the T4EU universities, the logical next step is to capitalise on this ecosystem to transform their achievements in research and innovation. Together, the diverse actors in the T4EU ecosystem can serve as powerful engines for the mutual development of innovation and performance capacities, jointly fostering both research of excellence and impact, and smarter, sustainable, competitive regions.
Transform4European Research and Innovation (T4ERI) has devised new strategies to harness this untapped potential, with the focus mission digital and environmental transformation for smart, sustainable and inclusive regions. T4ERI has three main objectives: (1) to develop a joint agenda for research and innovation in the T4EU focus area of digital and environmental transformation for smart, sustainable and inclusive regions, (2) to develop a joint strategy for attracting and retaining outstanding researchers and strengthening human capital in research and innovation, including promotion of young talents and leadership in science and (3) to develop a joint strategy for Public Engagement, Science Communication and Open Science ensuring involvement and engagement of citizens, civil society and public/private authorities in Research and Innovation. True to the essence of the alliance, T4ERI systematically collaborated with stakeholders from business and industry, culture, politics and civil society and laid the foundation for future cooperation between the alliance and its regions.
The project has been pivotal in laying the foundations for a true research alliance. Through seamless collaboration between T4ERI and the E+ initiative, the structures, strategies, and recommendations developed by T4ERI will continue to evolve within T4EU. The alliance is already reaping the rewards of T4ERI's efforts, building on the invaluable analyses that set the stage for future progress. The tools created to share infrastructure and connect researchers across the alliance will enable them to engage in collaborative research. The long-term sustainability of the project’s outcomes is secured, and their profound relevance to the alliance is unquestionable, ensuring that the impact of this work will resonate for years to come.
Transform4European Research and Innovation (T4ERI) has devised new strategies to harness this untapped potential, with the focus mission digital and environmental transformation for smart, sustainable and inclusive regions. T4ERI has three main objectives: (1) to develop a joint agenda for research and innovation in the T4EU focus area of digital and environmental transformation for smart, sustainable and inclusive regions, (2) to develop a joint strategy for attracting and retaining outstanding researchers and strengthening human capital in research and innovation, including promotion of young talents and leadership in science and (3) to develop a joint strategy for Public Engagement, Science Communication and Open Science ensuring involvement and engagement of citizens, civil society and public/private authorities in Research and Innovation. True to the essence of the alliance, T4ERI systematically collaborated with stakeholders from business and industry, culture, politics and civil society and laid the foundation for future cooperation between the alliance and its regions.
The project has been pivotal in laying the foundations for a true research alliance. Through seamless collaboration between T4ERI and the E+ initiative, the structures, strategies, and recommendations developed by T4ERI will continue to evolve within T4EU. The alliance is already reaping the rewards of T4ERI's efforts, building on the invaluable analyses that set the stage for future progress. The tools created to share infrastructure and connect researchers across the alliance will enable them to engage in collaborative research. The long-term sustainability of the project’s outcomes is secured, and their profound relevance to the alliance is unquestionable, ensuring that the impact of this work will resonate for years to come.
USAAR's leadership in WP1 ensured smooth project coordination and the development of effective management tools, which facilitated seamless communication and guidance between partners. The T4ERI Management Board led strategy development and the transition to the second phase of the T4EU initiative (E+), working closely with expert groups to ensure quality and sustainability of project results. New partners from Slovenia, France, and Portugal joined the T4EU alliance in 2023, enhancing T4ERI’s impact. The coordinator managed reporting and contractual obligations and produced policy recommendations in the form of two policy briefs. Deliverables were co-created, and strategies finalized with vice-rectors and presidents of the T4EU alliance.
WP2 ‘Collaboration in Research & Innovation’, led by UA, achieved all its key objectives, including the development of a fully operational partnering and infrastructure-sharing tool ‘connect4research'. The ‘Joint Agenda for Research and Innovation’ was prepared, and adopted by the university leadership together with a strategy for the establishment of collaborative cross-alliance research centres. WP2 thus significantly contributed to enhancing research collaboration across the alliance.
WP3 ‘The Best Careers for the Brightest Minds’, led by USil, developed standards for scientific careers in the alliance and a joint strategy for Human Capital in academia. The Leadership Academy trained researchers, leading to measurable improvements. The Action Plan guided these efforts, and a final report on pilot evaluation and national policy recommendations were produced, laying the groundwork for future initiatives to improve research careers and staff status.
WP4 ‘Science4All’, led by VMU, developed a comprehensive strategy for Public Engagement, Science Communication, and Open Science, with supporting action plans and a pilot evaluation report. A T4EU PERI network was established, and training for young researchers to improve science communication was piloted. Open Science practices were promoted through events and newsletters.
WP5 ‘Communication, Dissemination, and Cooperation with the Innovation Ecosystem’, led by UNISOFIA, increased visibility through social media and the alliance website and representation at events such as the FOREU2 SwafS conference. Key outreach activities included organizing roundtables on key challenges for R&I in European university alliances. The T4ERI Plan for Dissemination & Exploitation and the T4E[U] White Paper were finalized, with a roundtable in 2024 providing policymakers with recommendations for enhancing R&I collaboration. Stakeholder assemblies promoted partnerships with the private sector, ensuring T4ERI’s integration into the Transform4Europe regional ecosystem.
T4ERI has produced actionable results that will be exploited by the Transform4Europe communities and external stakeholders: T4ERI partnering and infrastructure-sharing tool 'connect4research', the Joint Strategy for all initiatives in WP3 and corresponding action plan which laid the foundation for activities in the field of 'Professional Excellence' in the framework of the E+ initiative,T4E[U] Joint Strategy "Science4All"and corresponding action plan which laid the foundation for the activities in the field of "'Professional Excellence' and 'Global Outreach' in the framework of the E+ initiative, the T4ERI White Paper, which provides a holistic analysis for policy makers, identifying legal, regulatory and financial barriers that hamper R&I cooperation between universities, as well as recommendations for national and European policy makers.
WP2 ‘Collaboration in Research & Innovation’, led by UA, achieved all its key objectives, including the development of a fully operational partnering and infrastructure-sharing tool ‘connect4research'. The ‘Joint Agenda for Research and Innovation’ was prepared, and adopted by the university leadership together with a strategy for the establishment of collaborative cross-alliance research centres. WP2 thus significantly contributed to enhancing research collaboration across the alliance.
WP3 ‘The Best Careers for the Brightest Minds’, led by USil, developed standards for scientific careers in the alliance and a joint strategy for Human Capital in academia. The Leadership Academy trained researchers, leading to measurable improvements. The Action Plan guided these efforts, and a final report on pilot evaluation and national policy recommendations were produced, laying the groundwork for future initiatives to improve research careers and staff status.
WP4 ‘Science4All’, led by VMU, developed a comprehensive strategy for Public Engagement, Science Communication, and Open Science, with supporting action plans and a pilot evaluation report. A T4EU PERI network was established, and training for young researchers to improve science communication was piloted. Open Science practices were promoted through events and newsletters.
WP5 ‘Communication, Dissemination, and Cooperation with the Innovation Ecosystem’, led by UNISOFIA, increased visibility through social media and the alliance website and representation at events such as the FOREU2 SwafS conference. Key outreach activities included organizing roundtables on key challenges for R&I in European university alliances. The T4ERI Plan for Dissemination & Exploitation and the T4E[U] White Paper were finalized, with a roundtable in 2024 providing policymakers with recommendations for enhancing R&I collaboration. Stakeholder assemblies promoted partnerships with the private sector, ensuring T4ERI’s integration into the Transform4Europe regional ecosystem.
T4ERI has produced actionable results that will be exploited by the Transform4Europe communities and external stakeholders: T4ERI partnering and infrastructure-sharing tool 'connect4research', the Joint Strategy for all initiatives in WP3 and corresponding action plan which laid the foundation for activities in the field of 'Professional Excellence' in the framework of the E+ initiative,T4E[U] Joint Strategy "Science4All"and corresponding action plan which laid the foundation for the activities in the field of "'Professional Excellence' and 'Global Outreach' in the framework of the E+ initiative, the T4ERI White Paper, which provides a holistic analysis for policy makers, identifying legal, regulatory and financial barriers that hamper R&I cooperation between universities, as well as recommendations for national and European policy makers.
T4ERI has contributed to an increased collaboration in R&I across the alliance. It has facilitated joint access to research infrastructure and created a platform for researchers to connect and collaborate on project proposals. Targeted action plans were developed to launch joint research centers aligned with T4EU’s focus missions as well as action plans to attract and retain excellent researchers, and to foster greater engagement from civil society in R&I, further paving the way towards the European University of the future.
T4ERI has had a significant impact on the T4EU alliance by enabling infrastructure sharing, strengthening academia-business cooperation, and enhancing human capital. It has promoted public engagement in R&I and Open Science, and fostered synergies between Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, driving collaboration and innovation across institutions.
T4ERI has had a significant impact on the T4EU alliance by enabling infrastructure sharing, strengthening academia-business cooperation, and enhancing human capital. It has promoted public engagement in R&I and Open Science, and fostered synergies between Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, driving collaboration and innovation across institutions.