Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SASPRO 2 (Slovak Academic and Scientific PROgramme for experienced researchers)
Période du rapport: 2022-10-01 au 2025-09-30
Project acronym: SASPRO 2
Full title: Slovak Academic and Scientific Programme for Experienced Researchers
Grant agreement: No. 945478
Beneficiary: Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Bratislava
Project partners: Comenius University (CU) and Slovak University of Technology (STU)
SASPRO 2 was a 60-month mobility programme (1. October 2020 – 30. September 2025) implemented by SAS, CU and STU as three leading Slovak research organisations. The total budget was €9.3 million, including €4.3 million from COFUND. The programme enabled experienced researchers, both Slovak and foreign ones, to come from abroad to conduct independent research at host institutions, advance their careers, and complete secondments in the non-academic sector. The planned number of fellows was successfully recruited for 24–36-months projects. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession and geopolitical instability, the programme met its core objectives. Its structure and procedures were fully established, three calls were launched, and transparent, merit-based recruitment was carried out. Selected fellows received strong institutional support and favourable working conditions. The programme enabled researchers to carry out their projects at SAS, CU and STU while benefiting from secondments, contributing to research excellence and internationalisation of Slovak science.
Main achievements:
• programme fully set up and effectively managed;
• three calls launched and completed;
• high-quality fellows recruited;
• mobility and career-development measures implemented;
• scientific and institutional impact aligned with programme goals.
Full title: Slovak Academic and Scientific Programme for Experienced Researchers
Grant agreement: No. 945478
Beneficiary: Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Bratislava
Project partners: Comenius University (CU) and Slovak University of Technology (STU)
SASPRO 2 was a 60-month mobility programme (1. October 2020 – 30. September 2025) implemented by SAS, CU and STU as three leading Slovak research organisations. The total budget was €9.3 million, including €4.3 million from COFUND. The programme enabled experienced researchers, both Slovak and foreign ones, to come from abroad to conduct independent research at host institutions, advance their careers, and complete secondments in the non-academic sector. The planned number of fellows was successfully recruited for 24–36-months projects. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession and geopolitical instability, the programme met its core objectives. Its structure and procedures were fully established, three calls were launched, and transparent, merit-based recruitment was carried out. Selected fellows received strong institutional support and favourable working conditions. The programme enabled researchers to carry out their projects at SAS, CU and STU while benefiting from secondments, contributing to research excellence and internationalisation of Slovak science.
Main achievements:
• programme fully set up and effectively managed;
• three calls launched and completed;
• high-quality fellows recruited;
• mobility and career-development measures implemented;
• scientific and institutional impact aligned with programme goals.
The objective of SASPRO 2 was to build on the previous SASPRO programme with new partners (STU and CU) and to enable researchers from abroad (both Slovak and foreign ones) to conduct research, develop careers, and carry out secondments in the application sphere. Measurable goals included establishing programme structures, launching three calls, managing transparent selection, supporting fellows, organising training, enabling secondments, and maintaining effective coordination among partners.
A public website and online portal supported applications, evaluations and reporting. Management, communication, financial administration and compliance with Horizon 2020 ethics requirements were ensured throughout. Programme bodies: the Steering Committee, Evaluation Committees, Ethical Committee were active during the entire implementation. (Appeal Committee was active during recruitment phase.)
A fully functional mobility programme framework was established, with all necessary documents prepared and approved. Three calls were launched and widely advertised. A total of 174 applications were received (SAS 114; STU 27; CU 33). Of these, 51 were approved (including reserve list), 43 fellowships were offered, and 41 were ultimately implemented. Fellows relocated to Slovakia with Euraxess Point SAS assistance and were employed under full-time contracts with appropriate salary and social security coverage. Ethical compliance was verified for all selected and reserve-listed projects.
A total of 16 secondments were completed. Two prolongation calls were organised due to early terminations, resulting in 11 approved extensions. Fellows prepared Individual Development Plans and participated in soft-skills training. Networking activities were organised throughout the programme.
A public website and online portal supported applications, evaluations and reporting. Management, communication, financial administration and compliance with Horizon 2020 ethics requirements were ensured throughout. Programme bodies: the Steering Committee, Evaluation Committees, Ethical Committee were active during the entire implementation. (Appeal Committee was active during recruitment phase.)
A fully functional mobility programme framework was established, with all necessary documents prepared and approved. Three calls were launched and widely advertised. A total of 174 applications were received (SAS 114; STU 27; CU 33). Of these, 51 were approved (including reserve list), 43 fellowships were offered, and 41 were ultimately implemented. Fellows relocated to Slovakia with Euraxess Point SAS assistance and were employed under full-time contracts with appropriate salary and social security coverage. Ethical compliance was verified for all selected and reserve-listed projects.
A total of 16 secondments were completed. Two prolongation calls were organised due to early terminations, resulting in 11 approved extensions. Fellows prepared Individual Development Plans and participated in soft-skills training. Networking activities were organised throughout the programme.
SASPRO 2 successfully continued the earlier SASPRO initiative - to attract Slovak talent returning from abroad. Of the 41 total fellows, the SASPRO 2 hosted 16 Slovak researchers.
During SASPRO 2, 16 secondments strengthened cooperation with the non-academic sector. Fellows produced over 190 publications, submitted one patent, and established strong international collaborations. Their presence enriched the research environment and strengthened Slovakia’s role in the European Research Area.
All three partners - SAS, STU and CU - are located in Bratislava, close to major research centres in Brno and Vienna. In this competitive environment, SASPRO 2 offered attractive conditions, successfully drawing researchers to carry out high-quality research in Slovakia.
The programme reversed brain drain, enhanced research excellence, deepened international cooperation and supported lasting connections with the non-academic sector. Its impact is expected to endure through continued collaborations, knowledge transfer and strengthened research capacities.
Notably, 23 fellows - including 12 foreign researchers - chose to remain in Slovakia after completing their fellowships, demonstrating the programme’s strong contribution to the country’s attractiveness as a research destination.
During SASPRO 2, 16 secondments strengthened cooperation with the non-academic sector. Fellows produced over 190 publications, submitted one patent, and established strong international collaborations. Their presence enriched the research environment and strengthened Slovakia’s role in the European Research Area.
All three partners - SAS, STU and CU - are located in Bratislava, close to major research centres in Brno and Vienna. In this competitive environment, SASPRO 2 offered attractive conditions, successfully drawing researchers to carry out high-quality research in Slovakia.
The programme reversed brain drain, enhanced research excellence, deepened international cooperation and supported lasting connections with the non-academic sector. Its impact is expected to endure through continued collaborations, knowledge transfer and strengthened research capacities.
Notably, 23 fellows - including 12 foreign researchers - chose to remain in Slovakia after completing their fellowships, demonstrating the programme’s strong contribution to the country’s attractiveness as a research destination.