Objective
RURALIGHT: Illuminating Rural Futures through Research and Curiosity aims to strengthen public engagement with research, development, and innovation (RDI) in small-town/rural contexts under the overarching theme Science in Our Everyday Lives. The project will organize two editions of the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) and a year-round Researchers at Schools (RAS) programme in the Jakobstad region in Ostrobothnia, Finland. It addresses persistent challenges in higher education participation and regional attractiveness by making RDI visible, approachable, and inclusive for children, youth, and families, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups.
The objectives are to 1) foster inclusive and accessible engagement with RDI through low-threshold formats; 2) increase awareness and visibility of Novia and Centria Universities of Applied Sciences as key RDI actors in regional development; and 3) promote research careers by strengthening researchers’ communication and public engagement skills. These goals will be achieved through interactive ERN events with hands-on demonstrations, creative workshops, and technology showcases, complemented by approximately 80 school visits under the RAS programme. Activities span STEAM disciplines, including arts, culture, social sustainability, entrepreneurship, technology, cybersecurity, and digitalization.
The methodology combines place-based and participatory approaches with inclusion and accessibility measures and multilingual communication. By connecting researchers and citizens in meaningful dialogue, RURALIGHT contributes to the MSCA and Citizens’ expected outcomes: enhancing researcher–citizen interaction, improving communication skills, raising interest in science careers, and increasing awareness of EU-funded research. The project will reach an estimated 15,000 people, engage 1,000 pupils, welcome 500 ERN visitors, and train 60 researchers, creating lasting capacity for inclusive science engagement in rural regions.
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-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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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-2025-CITIZENS-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.
65200 VASA
Finland
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.