Alliance for Life Sciences: From Strategies to Actions in Central and Eastern Europe

Project Information

A4L_ACTIONS

Grant agreement ID: 964997

DOI

10.3030/964997

Project closed

EC signature date 11 December 2020

Start date 1 May 2021

End date 30 April 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Health, demographic change and well-being

Total cost

€ 1 999 932,50

EU contribution

€ 1 999 932,50

Coordinated by

Masarykova univerzita
Czechia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - A4L_ACTIONS (Alliance for Life Sciences: From Strategies to Actions in Central and Eastern Europe)

Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

To accomplish the project objectives, we have split the work into five thematic objectives that all together lead to our overall aim: to foster excellence in research and innovation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

I. CULTURE: Build a culture that nurtures excellence in science.
1. Embed international scientific evaluation as a strategic management tool in CEE health research institutions.
2. Professionalize research management and administration in CEE health research institutions.
3. Foster Responsible Research & Innovation in CEE.
II. RECOGNITION: Develop recognition and trust towards CEE researchers and research institutions.
4. Enrich European scientific networks by fostering stronger linkage with and among research institutions in CEE.
5. Enable the formation of consortia with a participant core and intellectual origin in CEE.
6. Explore the potential of ESIF-funded Research Infrastructures to forge new scientific collaborations.
III. CAREERS: Nurture scientific talent to globally competitive careers.
7. Develop integrated career frameworks fostering the global competitiveness of CEE researchers.
8. Implement advanced training programmes on scientific, transferrable, and soft skills to support career development of talented researchers in CEE.
9. Foster mobility as the key element in scientific careers.
IV. INNOVATION: Increase the local and regional impact of Health research in CEE.
10. Build competence and connections of CEE health research institutions for translation of health research outcomes into innovation.
11. Foster the development of regional biotech and biomedicine innovation ecosystems in CEE.
V. POLICY: Co-create conditions in CEEby engaging on national and European level
12. Increase the impact of dedicated WIDESPREAD measures on participation in Framework Programmes
13. Improve the understanding of the CEE health research institution´s needs among policymakers and funding providers
14. Enable spill-over of best practices to national research systems and communities in CEE

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project has achieved its overall objective and impact. The project has contributed to Horizon Europe's aims to create a more balanced and cohesive European Research Area. The project partners have reported that they have improved in several areas, contributing to reducing regional disparities and fostering a more inclusive and innovative Europe.

The project partners strengthened the CEE region's research and innovation systems by enhancing institutional capacities through long-term systematic work within the thematic focus groups working together with the work package leaders. All deliverables and milestones were completed. The thematic focus groups facilitated knowledge transfer and best practices sharing during their monthly online meetings and druing two in-person meetings annually. The amount of transferred knowledge exceeded the project objectives.

The project partners focused on increasing the visibility and impact of the delivered tasks by showcasing success stories on the project website, via social media channels, via the European-wide portal ScienceBusiness and during several conferences and professional meetings. Thanks to the ongoing dissemination efforts and promotion of the work in the national languages, the project results impacted not only the participating institutions but also positively inspired research institutions in the participating countries.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

RESEARCH CULTURE
The institutional environment and internal culture are crucial for fostering and sustaining research excellence. The project partners analysed the relationship between research conditions, governance, and research evaluation, utilising best practice examples. The partners embedded international scientific evaluation as a strategic management tool and promoted this approach also across other health research institutions in the CEE region because it was obvious that independent scientific evaluation has a positive impact on research excellence.

The A4L Database of Experts significantly enhances the research ecosystem by providing detailed information on leading experts, including their areas of expertise and other relevant details needed for targeted searches for experts.

The RMA Academy enhanced the skills and expertise of research managers and administrators, delivering a range of workshops and training activities essential for supporting excellent research and innovation.

RECOGNITION and SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION
The project partners reinforced collaboration in life sciences research in CEE countries and provided incentives and opportunities for researchers to form project consortia. This goal was pursued through a series of small scientific symposia, known as A4L Mini-Conferences, where top researchers discussed their findings and established collaborations. During these events, matchmaking sessions highlighted available funding opportunities, including the internal A4L Seed Fund call, to support collaborative research aligned with each Mini-Conference theme.

CAREERS
The project consortium has contributed to the development of human capital in partner institutions and beyond. The project partners invested time and effort into skills training and facilitating knowledge exchange between research management professionals from all partner institutions. The partners jointly created a White Paper that provides more clarity and harmonisation to balance responsibilities between research, teaching, and medical practice in university hospitals and medical faculties. The set of recommendations helps to overcome obstacles and successfully combine these three professional roles, leading to a more attractive and effective academic environment.

INNOVATION
The project partners supported the development of innovation ecosystems, enhancing technology transfer knowledge to boost innovation performance. The Alliance4Life consortium addressed region-specific technology transfer challenges in Central and Eastern Europe and made this report publicly available on the website to guide TT professionals from the region. This document offers a comprehensive strategy to foster innovation and facilitate successful technology commercialisation in the region. The knowledge transfer professionals participated in joint training sessions and shared best practices with each other as well as on regional professional platforms and during TT relevant events.

POLICY
The project partners encouraged policy reforms and opened dialogues with the policymakers through the national Trigger Events that took place in all member countries. Moreover, those events had a major impact on the regional spillover effect of the previously piloted best practices and project deliverables. The members published an often-cited policy paper about widening measures and organised a policy meeting with critical stakeholders at the end of 2023 in Brussels where the results of the policy paper were presented.

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