Objective
Universities are central actors in Europe’s innovation landscape, yet many still struggle to convert research excellence into tangible economic and societal value. This gap is especially visible in Widening countries, where knowledge valorisation practices, industry collaboration models and IP commercialisation pathways remain fragmented or insufficiently integrated into regional innovation ecosystems. Building on the institutional transformation momentum of two major European University Alliances — ECIU and EUt+ — the VALORWIDE project seeks to accelerate knowledge valorisation excellence across Widening regions and strengthen Europe’s capacity to compete globally in Industry 5.0 innovation.
VALORWIDE equips universities, technology transfer offices, researchers, and regional stakeholders with the skills, tools and organisational structures needed to deliver high-impact knowledge valorisation. Through four interconnected Industry Actions, the project will pilot and scale new approaches for industry-academia co-creation, digital and AI-supported IP management, open innovation challenges, and research-driven venture creation. These actions are complemented by a comprehensive training and capacity-building programme, institutional reforms aligned with COARA principles, and the creation of a shared Excellent Knowledge Valorisation Toolkit.
By leveraging the combined strengths of two university alliances and engaging a broad network of innovation intermediaries, VALORWIDE aims to generate a critical mass of Industry 5.0 innovation opportunities grounded in human-centric, sustainable, and resilient industrial transitions. The project will empower Widening universities to operate as stronger innovation partners, enhance regional competitiveness, and contribute to the ERA Policy Agenda by mainstreaming excellence in knowledge valorisation across 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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-WIDERA-2025-01
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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.
1000 Sofia
Bulgaria
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.