Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RIS4SEB (ENHANCING REASERCH AND INNOVATION SYNERGIES FOR SCHOOLS OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS)
Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-08-31
RIS4SEB — Enhancing Research and Innovation Synergies for Schools of Economics and Business — tackles structural barriers that limit the participation of business and economics schools from Widening countries in Horizon Europe and other international research programmes. Although these institutions have benefitted from national and regional funding to build research infrastructure, they often face challenges in translating this potential into international collaboration, due to fragmented research strategies, limited research management capacity, and restricted access to global networks.
The project brings together the Prague University of Economics and Business (Czechia) as coordinators, Kaunas University of Technology - School of Economics and Business (Lithuania), and Estonian Business School (Estonia), under the mentorship of Bocconi University (Italy). Together, they work to strengthen excellence, competitiveness, and integration of research in the field of economics and business across the European Research Area.
The overall objective of RIS4SEB is to design and pilot three interlinked strategies that help institutions make better use of national and EU investments in research and innovation: (1) Joint Internationalisation Strategy (JIS) that aligns institutional R&I agendas, identifies shared thematic priorities, and expands participation in Horizon Europe and related programmes; (2) a Human Resources (HR) Strategy that develops and retains research talent while professionalising research management; and (3) a Research Management (RM) Strategy that enhances institutional processes and governance to support sustained participation in international projects.
Through these strategies, RIS4SEB promotes a systemic improvement of the research environment, enhances international collaboration, and empowers researchers and managers to successfully compete for EU funding.
Although the project is currently at its midpoint, early pathways to impact are already visible. The partners have begun to use the networks, templates, and shared methodologies developed under RIS4SEB to strengthen cooperation across institutions and to prepare joint participation in Horizon Europe calls. Initial results—such as a comprehensive mapping of 20+ international research networks, active engagement in brokerage events, and the first collaborative proposal preparations—demonstrate clear progress toward the project’s long-term ambitions.
The expected impact by the end of the project is threefold:
(1) Scientific and institutional: stronger research performance, higher visibility, and enhanced capacity of Widening institutions to coordinate international projects;
(2) Economic and policy-related: more effective use of public R&I investments and improved synergies between Horizon Europe and regional/national funding instruments;
(3) Societal: greater contribution of business and economics research to Europe’s sustainable growth, digital transition, and resilient labour markets.
By creating a transferable model for research excellence in the social sciences and humanities domain, RIS4SEB contributes to a more inclusive and interconnected European Research Area, enabling institutions from Widening countries to act as equal partners in shaping Europe’s innovation landscape.
The project brings together the Prague University of Economics and Business (Czechia) as coordinators, Kaunas University of Technology - School of Economics and Business (Lithuania), and Estonian Business School (Estonia), under the mentorship of Bocconi University (Italy). Together, they work to strengthen excellence, competitiveness, and integration of research in the field of economics and business across the European Research Area.
The overall objective of RIS4SEB is to design and pilot three interlinked strategies that help institutions make better use of national and EU investments in research and innovation: (1) Joint Internationalisation Strategy (JIS) that aligns institutional R&I agendas, identifies shared thematic priorities, and expands participation in Horizon Europe and related programmes; (2) a Human Resources (HR) Strategy that develops and retains research talent while professionalising research management; and (3) a Research Management (RM) Strategy that enhances institutional processes and governance to support sustained participation in international projects.
Through these strategies, RIS4SEB promotes a systemic improvement of the research environment, enhances international collaboration, and empowers researchers and managers to successfully compete for EU funding.
Although the project is currently at its midpoint, early pathways to impact are already visible. The partners have begun to use the networks, templates, and shared methodologies developed under RIS4SEB to strengthen cooperation across institutions and to prepare joint participation in Horizon Europe calls. Initial results—such as a comprehensive mapping of 20+ international research networks, active engagement in brokerage events, and the first collaborative proposal preparations—demonstrate clear progress toward the project’s long-term ambitions.
The expected impact by the end of the project is threefold:
(1) Scientific and institutional: stronger research performance, higher visibility, and enhanced capacity of Widening institutions to coordinate international projects;
(2) Economic and policy-related: more effective use of public R&I investments and improved synergies between Horizon Europe and regional/national funding instruments;
(3) Societal: greater contribution of business and economics research to Europe’s sustainable growth, digital transition, and resilient labour markets.
By creating a transferable model for research excellence in the social sciences and humanities domain, RIS4SEB contributes to a more inclusive and interconnected European Research Area, enabling institutions from Widening countries to act as equal partners in shaping Europe’s innovation landscape.
Since its launch in June 2024, RIS4SEB has progressed according to plan, establishing strong coordination and collaboration among partners. The consortium, led by the Prague University of Economics and Business and supported by a Steering Committee and a 13-member External Expert Advisory Board, has ensured smooth implementation and timely delivery of all management and ethics reports.
Under Bocconi University’s lead, partners are developing the Joint Internationalisation Strategy (JIS), which will define a shared vision for research cooperation. The preparatory work has already identified common thematic priorities — sustainability, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, labour market transformation, and public–private collaboration for social value creation—linked to Horizon Europe’s 2025–2027 priorities.
The consortium mapped over twenty international research networks and began engaging in brokerage events to strengthen collaboration for future EU projects. A key outcome so far is a matrix of researcher workshops and short visits, connecting research teams from partner institutions across five shared thematic areas. This structured plan links institutional priorities with opportunities for joint proposal preparation.
Work on the Human Resources Strategy has advanced through joint analyses of HR practices and workshops on international research management and Horizon Europe participation (an online workshop Horizon Europe: Challenges and Opportunities gained significant audience of 41 unique attendees). Project visibility has grown through an active website, social media, and cooperation with other “Pathways to Synergies” projects.
By month 15, RIS4SEB has built the analytical and organisational foundation for the next phase, which will finalise and pilot the three institutional strategies and prepare joint international proposals.
Under Bocconi University’s lead, partners are developing the Joint Internationalisation Strategy (JIS), which will define a shared vision for research cooperation. The preparatory work has already identified common thematic priorities — sustainability, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, labour market transformation, and public–private collaboration for social value creation—linked to Horizon Europe’s 2025–2027 priorities.
The consortium mapped over twenty international research networks and began engaging in brokerage events to strengthen collaboration for future EU projects. A key outcome so far is a matrix of researcher workshops and short visits, connecting research teams from partner institutions across five shared thematic areas. This structured plan links institutional priorities with opportunities for joint proposal preparation.
Work on the Human Resources Strategy has advanced through joint analyses of HR practices and workshops on international research management and Horizon Europe participation (an online workshop Horizon Europe: Challenges and Opportunities gained significant audience of 41 unique attendees). Project visibility has grown through an active website, social media, and cooperation with other “Pathways to Synergies” projects.
By month 15, RIS4SEB has built the analytical and organisational foundation for the next phase, which will finalise and pilot the three institutional strategies and prepare joint international proposals.
RIS4SEB advances the state of the art in research internationalisation and management among business and economics schools in Widening countries. Previously, such institutions relied on fragmented approaches to international cooperation and lacked mechanisms for aligning strategies or exchanging good practices.
The project introduces a structured and collaborative model for institutional development. Through its three strategic pillars—the Joint Internationalisation, Human Resources, and Research Management Strategies—RIS4SEB is creating a coherent, evidence-based framework that goes beyond current practice.
All outputs are being designed as open and transferable resources to be shared at the project’s conclusion through a Central European conference for business and economics schools, which will promote their use by other institutions. In addition, RIS4SEB will prepare policy recommendations to help policymakers and funding bodies improve connections between national and EU research funding.
Through this open, practical approach, RIS4SEB offers a replicable model for enhancing synergies, professionalising research management, and strengthening the participation of Widening institutions in the European Research Area.
The project introduces a structured and collaborative model for institutional development. Through its three strategic pillars—the Joint Internationalisation, Human Resources, and Research Management Strategies—RIS4SEB is creating a coherent, evidence-based framework that goes beyond current practice.
All outputs are being designed as open and transferable resources to be shared at the project’s conclusion through a Central European conference for business and economics schools, which will promote their use by other institutions. In addition, RIS4SEB will prepare policy recommendations to help policymakers and funding bodies improve connections between national and EU research funding.
Through this open, practical approach, RIS4SEB offers a replicable model for enhancing synergies, professionalising research management, and strengthening the participation of Widening institutions in the European Research Area.