Project description
Training in urban societal challenges
The European Commission and the Brussels-Capital Region’s RIS3 strategy address urban challenges by promoting sustainability and fostering collaboration in research and innovation. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IRIS project will strengthen interdisciplinary research skills while addressing key societal issues in urban settings. Specifically, the project will focus on major challenges: climate and energy, resource optimisation, mobility, healthy and sustainable food, health and well-being, and a participative and inclusive society. Fellows will receive training in research, technological development, and innovation, helping them expand their professional networks.
Objective
The Interdisciplinary Research in Societal Challenges Postdoctoral COFUND (IRIS) programme aligns with the European Commission's policies and the Brussels Capital Region’s (BCR) RIS3 strategy. IRIS aims to enhance interdisciplinary research skills while contributing to solutions to pressing urban societal challenges. IRIS fellows will focus on one or more of the six key societal challenges identified for BCR: 1) Climate & Energy, 2) Resource Optimization, 3) Mobility, 4) Healthy & Sustainable Food, 5) Health & Well-being, and 6) Participative & Inclusive Society. These challenges are relevant to urban areas worldwide.
Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), working alongside partners such as Innoviris, Sirris, UNICA, BeWise, and hub.brussels form a strong intersectoral network. IRIS consortium responds to the Joint Research Centre’s call for universities to take on a greater role in regional transformation. The IRIS programme aligns with ULB and VUB’s strategic priorities to foster sustainability, strengthen collaborations with the research and innovation ecosystem, and promote interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international cooperation.
Over 60 months, IRIS will recruit 36 postdoctoral researchers through two application rounds, offering research training and career development opportunities. The programme plans three pillars training—Foundations, Consolidation, and Transition—designed to develop fellows’ Research, Technological Development, and Innovation ‘RTDI’ skills, expand their professional networks, and enhance their employability. IRIS supports the transition from recognised to established researchers, equipping fellows for diverse career paths and enabling them to create a lasting societal impact. Fellows will benefit from access to top research teams, infrastructure, and a broad network of non-academic public and private partners, fostering collaboration beyond academia.
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-2024-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.
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium
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.