Project description
Revitalising the Basque research landscape
Spain’s economic crisis and dwindling research funds pose a critical challenge, exacerbated by the European crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine. With R&D expenditure in Spain at half the EU average, stabilising long-term research lines is crucial. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SmartBRAIN3 project offers 30 research contracts for experienced researchers in two calls. These positions provide a 36-month SmartBRAIN3 fellowship, addressing the shortage of experienced researchers in the Basque region. With a triple-I focus (international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary), SmartBRAIN3 aims to enhance researchers’ networks while also aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Horizon Europe, contributing to Basque Country’s Smart Specialisation Strategy.
Objective
The economic crisis and the lack of resources devoted to research and development (R&D) in Spain is a pressing issue, affecting the Basque region too, and it is aggravated by the European crisis provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine invasion. The R&D expenditure (% of GDP) in Spain has been reduced in the last decade. Currently, it is half of the European Union average, which is critical. The stabilization of long-term research lines led by experienced researchers, as proposed by SmartBRAIN3, is an unmet challenge that Ikerbasque (beneficiary) proposes to address with the present programme.
SmartBRAIN3 aims to offer 30 research contracts for experienced researchers within 2 calls, offering 15 positions in each call. The current programme offers permanent contracts as “Ikerbasque Research Professors” (tenure track positions) to all researchers to be recruited, although each fellowship will last 36 months within the SmartBRAIN3 programme.
The impact of such a workforce for the Basque region is welcomed as internal assessments by the Basque research institutions show the lack of experienced researchers in the region. SmartBRAIN3 offers an outstanding research, innovation training and career consolidation programme, with specific focus on the triple-I dimension (international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary), as well as providing an impactful, innovative and inclusive research environment.
The 24 implementing partners recruiting and hosting the fellows are leading international institutions within their respective fields. SmartBRAIN3 includes mandatory international secondments, which enhance the researchers’ networks and let them explore intersectoral career paths as well, in support of their career progress.
SmartBRAIN3 ultimate impact is to contribute to the challenges and priorities set out in the RIS3-Smart Specialization Strategy of the Basque Country, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Horizon Europe.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-Cofund-P - HORIZON TMA MSCA Cofund Postdoctoral programme
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-COFUND-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
48009 Bilbao
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.