Initiative to Support, Promote and Integrate Researchers at Risk in Europe PLUS

Project Information

InspireuropePlus

Grant agreement ID: 101075460

DOI

10.3030/101075460

Project closed

EC signature date 8 July 2022

Start date 1 September 2022

End date 31 August 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

€ 1 299 749,00

EU contribution

€ 1 299 749,00

Coordinated by

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND MAYNOOTH
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - InspireuropePlus (Initiative to Support, Promote and Integrate Researchers at Risk in Europe PLUS)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Inspireurope+ strengthens and coordinates support in Europe for researchers at risk. Building on the work undertaken by Inspireurope (launched under MSCA in 2019), Inspireurope+ proceeds from the view that excellence in research depends on free and open scientific debate and requires a diversity of perspectives and methodologies to flourish. In many countries and regions, scholars, scientists and researchers face risks to their life, liberty, or research careers. When researchers are at risk, and excluded from participating in the global research circuit, whether due to discrimination, persecution, disaster, or violence, not only are individual lives and careers at risk; the very future of research is also at stake. 

Inspireurope+ combines forces across national and institutional boundaries to respond to growing threats against scholars. Through guidance, training, and consultations with researchers at risk, Inspireurope+ helps to build the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate access to European, national, and institutional funding and support. Through guidance and advice for employers in the academic and non-academic sectors, Inspireurope+ increases institutional capacity and preparedness to support researchers at risk. Through policy input to the national and European levels, Inspireurope+ facilitates and encourages the development of new support programmes and improves the policy environment in Europe for researchers at risk.

Inspireurope+ is funded by the European Union and implemented by an international consortium of six project partners, and four associated partners. Together, the partners leverage their vast networks to bring project outputs to over 50,000 stakeholders across Europe. For further information on Inspireurope+, visit: https://sareurope.eu/inspireurope/

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1 – Coordinating European Support
Inspireurope+ strengthened cooperation across Europe for researchers at risk via a transnational Coordinating Committee, which met 14 times and supported 46 deliverables and 12 milestones. The project engaged with higher education, policy-makers and civil society to build a cross-sectoral support ecosystem, enhancing support, visibility and integration of researchers at risk within EU frameworks.

WP2 – Guidance and Support for Researchers at Risk
At-risk researchers were supported to pursue their careers and share their expertise in European higher education and industry. 7 webinars & 6 trainings exceeded targets & reached over 2,200 researchers. Nine newsletters reached 2,500 subscribers in 77 countries.

WP3 – Building Institutional Capacity
Institutions across Europe strengthen their capacity to host at risk researchers. 4 leadership roundtables & 5 webinars with guidance materials improved institutional support. Over 480 participants engaged, surpassing targets. Activities fostered collaboration and preparedness across sectors.

WP4 – Advising National-Level Initiatives
National-level initiatives were advanced, strengthened, coordinated and connected. Three annual platforms (Berlin 2023 & 2024, Paris 2025) gathered hundreds of stakeholders. 21 activities in countries developing national fellowship/support programmes. Advice was given to initiatives in Ireland, Germany, Greece, and others.

WP5 – European Policy, Networking & Dissemination
Understanding of researchers at risk and academic freedom increased across Europe. Dissemination included a website, brochures, newsletters, and social media reaching 700K+ stakeholders. Project outputs were presented at 41 external events. Policy engagement included six briefings and meetings with EU policymakers.
Impact

The project unified European efforts, catalysed national progress, and influenced EU frameworks. Over 2,200 researchers and 800 institutional stakeholders benefited from capacity-building. Inspireurope+ policy recommendations created a blueprint for future European engagement with at risk researchers. The resource bank aided responses to crises like Ukraine.

Conclusion & Future Directions
Inspireurope+ embedded support for researchers at risk into European structures, exceeding deliverables and shaping systemic change. Future efforts should deepen cross-sectoral cooperation, scale European and national programmes, continue supporting at risk researchers and host institutions. The consortium will continue engagement via network-development, partnerships and information sharing to sustain impact.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The significant impact of Inspireurope+ is already evident. Inspireurope+ builds on the findings and recommendations of its predecessor Inspireurope to advise and assist with implementation of concrete measures to enhance support for researchers at risk across Europe. Following a recommendation made by the Inspireurope project on the implementation of an EU fellowship scheme for researchers at risk, and drawing on the gaps in support identified by the project’s Researchers at Risk: Mapping Europe’s Response report, the European Parliament initiated a preparatory action to establish a European fellowship scheme for researchers at risk. Three Inspireurope+ partners contributed significantly to the successful bid. This action significantly contributes to Inspireurope+’s objective of strengthening cooperation across Europe in support of researchers at risk.

The substantial efforts undertaken by Inspireurope+ project partners also paved the way for the MSCA4Ukraine fellowship scheme, an EU-funded initiative to support displaced researchers from Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Four Inspireurope+ partners drew on their strong working relationships and pooled expertise to form a consortium to manage and implement the MSCA4Ukraine scheme, which has been a lifeline for over 120 researchers from Ukraine and a bridge that will help support their home institutions.

The Inspireurope+ consortium are committed to continuing the work of the project, and will work together to develop further programmes, partnerships and coordination of activities across Europe in support of researchers at risk and academic freedom.

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