Rolling out the ERA Policy Agenda results

Expected Outcome:This action aims at increased uptake by broad communities of R&I stakeholders of results developed in different ERA policy areas, including open science, research assessment, research careers, knowledge valorisation, and research management. Applicants are invited to select one of the areas outlined below.

Successful proposals will deliver on one or several impacts outlined in the introduction to the work programme destination “Reforming and enhancing the European research and innovation system”.

Project results are expected to increase uptake of ERA policy results and contribute to the outcomes specifically relevant for the area selected and identified by the applicants in their proposal, as listed below.

Area 1: Strengthen uptake of solutions for the reproducibility of scientific results

• Wider implementation of interventions in research performing organisations to increase the reproducibility of research results;
• Better understanding by researchers, policymakers, research institutions and scientific service providers of the effectiveness of policies, practices and tools for increasing the reproducibility of research results;
• Higher proportion of reproducible results from publicly funded research.

Area 2: Advance reforms to research assessment

• Increased awareness and trust among researchers and research organisations about reforms of research assessment;
• Increased uptake of good practices and recommendations from the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) and other initiatives by researchers and research organisations;
• Increased knowledge by researchers, research organisations and policymakers about limiting factors and enablers of research assessment reforms.

Area 3: Establish communities of practice to strengthen research careers

• Inventory of good practices and lessons learnt for stakeholders at organisational level on the implementation of the various dimensions of the new European framework for research careers[1], including the Charter for Researchers;
• Increased number of academic and non-academic organisations implementing the new framework for research careers, resulting in stronger research careers for researchers;
• Better working conditions and employability for researchers, with a special focus on early-career researchers.

Area 4: Establish a European network of knowledge valorisation intermediaries

• A network of European intermediaries is established, connecting academia, industry, society and policymakers, that provides increased recognition of the various profiles and different roles of knowledge valorisation intermediaries;
• New or improved shared resources and tools for knowledge valorisation intermediaries to support the uptake of the EU Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation and the accompanying codes of practice[2];
• Enhanced capacities and skills of knowledge valorisation intermediaries to connect industry, academia, society and policymakers.

Area 5: Upgrade services of Knowledge and Technology Transfer professionals in universities and research performing organisations

• Enhanced capacities and skills for knowledge transfer professionals in Knowledge Transfer Offices/Technology Transfer Offices (KTO/TTO) (or similar) in universities and research performing organisations to detect the potential market and societal value of R&I results;
• Upgraded services of KTO/TTOs in universities and research performing organisations made freely available for R&I actors to facilitate multi-stakeholder business development activities, knowledge transfer and valorisation, including societal and policy uptake.
• New curricula and training modules for students and researchers by KTO/TTOs to be offered in universities and research performing organisations across Europe to facilitate greater uptake of R&I results, including for skills development and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

Area 6: Strengthen capacities and recognition for research management

• A collaborative network is established that enables research managers and their employers to exchange information and best practices with a view to develop better quality and more consistent research management practices across the ERA;
• Enhanced professional recognition and career progression and mobility for research managers by offering specialised training and mentorship programmes, coupled with robust career development tools and reinforced by communication and outreach activities;
• Increased availability and access to research management training and to good institutional practices on research management for a diverse range of organisations and staff within the ERA, with a focus on providing support to those that lack resources.

Scope:This action contributes toward the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) with targeted interventions in selected policy areas focused on a broad roll-out of the results developed under the first ERA Policy Agenda (2022-2024)[3]. It addresses areas including open science, research assessment, research careers, knowledge valorisation, and research management.

The EU Member States, Associated Countries, R&I stakeholders, and the Commission work in partnership to implement the ERA. This work is structured by the ERA Policy Agenda that identifies concrete ‘ERA Actions’, which address specific challenges faced by R&I communities in Europe. The first ERA Policy Agenda (2022-2024) has delivered many tools, practices, recommendation, and guidelines to help advance the ERA Actions, resulting from different EU, national, regional or local initiatives and projects. A number of results stem from projects funded under Horizon Europe. In particular, the WIDERA work programme has funded a range of coordination and support activities designed to support the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda[4].

This action aims at a broader roll-out of these results to diverse ERA communities, including research performing organisations (RPO), research funding organisations (RFO), universities, researchers and innovators, policymakers, and many other actors in the European R&I ecosystem. Proposals should demonstrate the involvement of actors who have not yet partaken in those Horizon Europe-funded actions that specifically address the ERA Policy Agenda. The action supports a wide variety of activities that make use of existing results to enable progress in the implementation of selected ERA Actions in organisations, broader R&I ecosystems and at national level.

Proposals should select and clearly identify one area being addressed, choosing from those set out under the expected outcomes and scope of this action. Each area is designed to contribute toward the implementation of an ERA Action. Proposals should develop activities outlined for the selected area, as well as additional activities contributing to the expected outcomes for the same area. While focusing on one area, proposals may also consider complementarities and synergies with other areas. For example, proposals that choose Area 3 on research careers may develop links with Area 2 on research assessment or Area 6 on research management.

In all project activities, particular attention should be paid to promoting inclusive gender equality and addressing gender-specific challenges. Projects are expected to coordinate and collaborate with other projects funded under this action during implementation, including by way of annual status seminars where project work plans are presented to ensure complementarities and synergies across the areas.

The funded projects should reach large communities of stakeholders (either a group of individual organisations, networks or alliances of organisations, or surrounding ecosystem actors), ensuring their needs are considered and addressed over the course of the project. Proposals should describe their target group in terms of its scope and size. A wide geographical coverage, inclusivity and broad participation should be ensured. The funded projects should remain open to new stakeholders and interested parties. The funded projects should provide open access to all relevant results, in a timely manner.

Proposals are expected to envisage a duration of up to 3 years without prejudice to a longer duration if duly justified.

Area 1: Strengthen uptake of solutions for the reproducibility of scientific results

This area addresses ERA Action 1 that aims to support open sharing, seamless access, and reliable re-use of research data, centred on the FAIR principles. Practices that increase the reproducibility of scientific results[5] contribute to higher reuse of these results and to increased efficiency, trustworthiness, and overall quality of research.

The area supports the uptake of state-of-the art tools, practices and methodologies that can increase the reproducibility of research results, drawing on activities and results of any relevant projects, networks and initiatives[6]. The project activities should involve actors such as RPOs, RFOs, researchers, scientific publishers, and scientific service and infrastructure providers. At least the following activities should be included:

• Deploy, demonstrate and upscale interventions in real-life environments to increase reproducibility of scientific results, targeting cross-discipline and discipline-specific factors that contribute to lack of reproducibility. Interventions may include the application of policies, engagement in practices, or mainstreaming the utilisation of tools, services and infrastructures that enable reproducibility of research results.
• Monitor and analyse the effects of the implemented interventions on the efficiency of research processes, the trustworthiness of results, the reuse of results in further research and/or innovation, and the overall quality of scientific production. Deployment and demonstrations should be of sufficient duration and scale to assess their effects.
• Support mutual learning, and exchange and dissemination of best practices across organisations in Europe and develop evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and research organisations.

Area 2: Advance reforms to research assessment

This area addresses ERA Action 3 that aims to support reform of research assessment toward recognising the diversity of research practices, activities and outputs, moving away from relying mainly on the quantity of publications or the prestige of their publishing venues, to achieve higher quality and impact of research.

The area supports the uptake of good practices and recommendations that facilitate implementation of research assessment reform, building on activities and results of any relevant projects[7] and initiatives, especially the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment[8], the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), and the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). The project activities should involve diverse research organisations like universities, RPOs, RFOs, academies and learned societies, as well as researchers’ organisations, researchers and support staff, from diverse disciplines and at various career stages. At least the following activities should be included:

• Identify and discuss barriers and enablers to reform at national level and shared implementation avenues, and maximise the roll-out of reforms through engagement with CoARA Working Groups and National Chapters[9] and other communities of practice.
• Support the development of change management strategies within organisations to facilitate the implementation of reforms and to build trust towards reformed research assessment systems.
• Develop and coordinate actions to raise awareness about good practices and support the implementation of reforms via workshops, training and associated materials, and/or dedicated conference(s) targeting researchers.

Area 3: Establish communities of practice to strengthen research careers

This area addresses ERA Action 4 that aims to strengthen research careers in all sectors, tackling aspects such as precarity and working conditions, skills, inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary mobility, career development and progression.

The area supports the wide uptake by organisations of the provisions of the framework established by the Council Recommendation on research careers and the Charter for Researchers[1], and builds on the results and recommendations from the Mutual Learning Exercise on research careers[11] and any previous or ongoing relevant initiatives and projects at European or national level contributing to the implementation of the new framework[12]. The project activities should involve universities, RPOs, RFOs, researchers’ organisations, governmental organisations, and other employers of researchers in the public and private sector. At least the following activities should be included:

• Establish an intersectoral consortium of at least 15 partners with the objective of creating an inclusive community of practice that supports cooperation and exchange of good practices to implement the new framework to strengthen research careers at European, national, regional and organisational level. The consortium should demonstrate in the proposal how and to what extent it will involve stakeholders outside the consortium in the community of practice, with a view to maximising the impact of activities on strengthening research careers.
• Map challenges, exchange good practices, including by developing relevant platforms, organise mutual learning events, intra- and extra-consortium cooperation with stakeholders, and networking.
• Develop and disseminate recommendations for peers and for policymakers in relation to aspects covered by the new framework to strengthen research careers, on the basis of internal exchanges and practices, as well as significant outcomes from other projects.

Area 4: Establish a European network of knowledge valorisation intermediaries

This area addresses ERA Action 7 that aims to enhance knowledge sharing and valorisation in Europe. Intermediaries[13] are crucial for valorisation as they help connect researchers with actors who can drive economic and societal value from research results, data and knowledge.

The area supports the uptake of the new Guiding Principles Knowledge Valorisation and Codes of Practice[14] through upgrading the capacities of intermediaries. By improving their skills and services in line with the new guidelines, intermediaries can effectively increase connections between all R&I actors when it comes to intellectual assets management, standardisation, industry-academia co-creation and citizen engagement. The project activities should involve entities that typically act as intermediaries. At least the following activities should be included:

• Set up a European network of intermediaries to activate intensive and inclusive multi-actor collaboration and networking.
• Develop trainings and a knowledge valorisation toolbox based on the codes of practice, to be made freely available for all R&I actors.
• Support mobility and outreach, including cross-border secondments between intermediary organisations, replication of best practices, and novel awareness and outreach activities.

Area 5: Upgrade capacities of knowledge and technology transfer professionals in universities and research performing organisations

This area addresses ERA Action 7 that aims to enhance knowledge sharing and valorisation in the ERA, reaching large communities of stakeholders. Knowledge and technology transfer offices (KTO/TTO) in universities and RPOs require a broader range of skills to deliver fit-for-purpose services for R&I actors to achieve greater uptake of economic and societal value.

The area supports the uptake of the new Guiding Principles and Codes of Practice[2] through upgrading skills and services provided by KTO/TTOs. The action should involve KTO/TTOs, societal and industrial actors, and policymakers and contribute to closing the gender gap through the design of activities. By improving their skills and services in line with the new guidelines, KTO/TTOs can effectively increase connections between all R&I actors when it comes to intellectual asset management, standardisation, industry-academia co-creation and citizen engagement. At least the following activities should be included:

• Develop and coordinate actions for expanding and strengthening skills and capacities of KTO/TTOs, for example, through trainings, peer learning and workshops.
• Develop new services and adaptation of existing services in line with the Guiding Principles, as well as support new training needs, so that KTO/TTOs can respond to the requirements of researchers and students by designing and delivering high quality curricula for greater knowledge valorisation.
• Engage societal and industrial actors, as well as policy makers to ensure the new and adapted services correspond to the needs of these stakeholders, while developing appropriate links with other parts of the work programme, such as EU Missions and EIC Business Acceleration Services.

Area 6: Strengthen capacities and recognition for research management

This area addresses ERA Action 17 that aims to enhance capacities and professional recognition of research managers in the ERA and address their challenges, such as a lack of professional accreditation, uneven distribution of expertise, and a constant need for new skills.

The area supports the uptake of good practices, recommendations and results stemming from any relevant projects[16] and initiatives. The action should involve current and aspiring research managers and their employers, human resource departments, career advisors, educational institutions, and policymakers. At least the following activities should be included:

• Create a centralised online hub for networking, collaborative learning and information sharing among research managers and their employers to standardise and enhance research management across the ERA.
• Provide research managers with tailored training programmes and career guidance services, from workshops to online courses, aligned with the development of the careers and competency framework for research managers (RM Comp), enhancing their skill sets and career progression opportunities.
• Execute a strategic communication plan that includes outreach activities, promotional campaigns, support to evidence-based policymaking, and advocacy efforts to raise the profile and recognition of research management as a vital and distinct profession within the R&I ecosystem, including developing and disseminating recommendations for RPOs and policymakers.

[1] Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1640/oj.

[2] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/eu-valorisation-policy/knowledge-valorisation-platform/guiding-principles-knowledge-valorisation-and-implementing-codes-practice_en.

[3] https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2021-11/ec_rtd_era-policy-agenda-2021.pdf.

[4] See examples of how Horizon Europe supports the ERA policy priorities, https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/era-horizon-europe.

[5] Practices that enable researchers and the scientific community at large to obtain confirming results as the originators of a research finding.

[6] Including projects funded under HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ERA-01-41 and HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-01-09.

[7] Including projects funded under HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ERA-01-07 and HORIZON-INFRA-2022-EOSC-01-01.

[8] https://coara.eu/app/uploads/2022/09/2022_07_19_rra_agreement_final.pdf.

[9] CoARA operates several working groups and national chapters that identify good practices and recommendations.

[10] Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1640/oj.

[11] Funded by Horizon Policy Support Facility, https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/statistics/policy-support-facility/mutual-learning-exercise-research-careers.

[12] Including projects funded under HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ERA-01-50 and HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-02-03.

[13] Intermediaries provide support services in various forms, such as guidance, networking, training and mentoring, to stimulate market and societal uptake. A broad range of institutions can act as intermediaries, e.g., incubators, science parks, European, national and regional innovation hubs or clusters, IP experts, consultants and innovation support professionals, science communication and policy engagement teams, and knowledge for policy and citizen engagement professionals.

[14] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/eu-valorisation-policy/knowledge-valorisation-platform/guiding-principles-knowledge-valorisation-and-implementing-codes-practice_en.

[15] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/eu-valorisation-policy/knowledge-valorisation-platform/guiding-principles-knowledge-valorisation-and-implementing-codes-practice_en.

[16] Projects funded under HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ERA-01-20.