ICoRSA 14 February Newsletter

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ICoRSA
February 14, 2025

Did you know that the European Commission plans to introduce the European Research Area Act in 2026 as part of its ‘Competitiveness Compass’ strategy to strengthen R&D investment and enhance knowledge mobility across Europe?

In today’s email:

  • ICoRSA Congratulates Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp: Newly elected President of Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE).

  • Job Security in Research: Insights from Dr. Rosarii Griffin’s interview at the 11th World Science Forum.

  • Eurodoc’s Democracy Ambassador Programme: A unique initiative for early-career researchers to promote democracy in academia.

  • European Commission’s ‘Competitiveness Compass’:A strategic framework to boost EU research, innovation, and industrial growth.

  • Funding & Events: Key opportunities, upcoming summits, and policy discussions shaping the future of research management.

👇Follow us on LinkedIn and see latest updates.

A BIG CONGRATS

ICoRSA Congratulates Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp on Her Election

ICoRSA, as a member of the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE), extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp on her election as the new President of ISE. Prof. Tromp, who serves as Director of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials and holds the Chair of Materials Chemistry at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), was elected by the ISE General Assembly on 26 April 2024. She officially assumed office on 1 January 2025. 

Prof. Tromp succeeds Prof. emeritus Dr. Martin Andler, from the Laboratoire de Mathématiques, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin, who has led ISE with dedication and vision. ICoRSA expresses its gratitude to Prof. Andler for his contributions to ISE during his tenure, including his commitment to advancing science and strengthening the voice of researchers across Europe. 

We wish Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp all the success in her new role and looks forward to supporting ISE’s mission to promote science and innovation for the benefit of society. 

Learn more about Prof. Dr. Moniek’s profile and ISE’s work here. 

NEWS ABOUT ICORSA

Job security is essential for fostering innovation and excellence 

-Interview by ICoRSA’s and IrishRSA Dr Rosarii Griffin at the 11th World Science Forum 

Dr. Rosarii Griffin, Secretary and Director of ICoRSA, was interviewed by Đorđe Petrović from the Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN) following her participation at the 11th World Science Forum in Budapest (November 20-23, 2024). 

During the forum, Dr. Griffin moderated the "How to Make Academic Careers Attractive and Sustainable" side event, co-organized by ICoRSA, EURODOC, the Young Academy of Europe (YAE), and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA). The session tackled key challenges facing early and mid-career researchers, including precarious contracts, funding shortages, and intense competition. 

Dr. Griffin at the WSF 2025

Dr. Griffin highlighted research precarity as a major issue, with young researchers often trapped in a cycle of short-term contracts and limited career stability. She also pointed to broader concerns, such as restricted access to housing and the lack of a unified pension scheme, which leaves many researchers struggling to build long-term financial security. Dr. Griffin advocates for initiatives like RESAVER, the pan-European pension solution that allows researchers to carry their pension benefits across borders.  

This discussion reinforced that job security is crucial for fostering innovation and excellence in academia. By addressing these systemic issues, the research community can work towards creating more attractive and sustainable career pathways for future generations of scholars. 

Read about the article here.

Access the livestream here.

NEWS ABOUT RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS

The European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) is organising an ambassador programme focused on democracy and the fundamental values this Spring. The aim of the programme is to enable academics in European higher education institutions to understand and explore the role higher education and research play for democracies in Europe and to become ambassadors for democracy within their institutions, their research communities, as well as in society. This course is the very first of its kind and a unique opportunity to strengthen the understanding and practices of democracy in and by universities in this crucial moment of democratic backsliding and threats to research and higher education.

The course is specifically aimed at early-career researchers from all disciplines and from across Europe and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the democratic values of higher education and research in Europe and to provide them with a theoretical and practical basis for their advocacy activities. The lectures will be given by a mixture of key experts (e.g. Sjur Bergan, Peter Maassen, Liviu Mattei) and stakeholders (e.g. UNESCO, the Council of Europe, ENRIO).

The programme consists of three parts: 

  • The Democratic Context of Research and Higher Education in Europe 

  • EHEA Fundamental Values 

  • Institutions, Legislations and Questions of Alignment 

You can find the program and read more about the goals here. It will be possible to take the course for the certificate (Track 1), but it is equally possible to just join in for (some of) the lectures (Track 2) without any further commitments.  

If you are interested, please register here: https://forms.gle/rn5fUfuRW7o5Sp4L9 

And in case of any questions, you can contact the organisers at [email protected] 

NEWS IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION POLICIES

European Commission Unveils ‘Competitiveness Compass’ to Strengthen EU Innovation and Research 

On 29 January 2025, the European Commission introduced the ‘Competitiveness Compass’, a strategic framework aimed at boosting EU competitiveness and prosperity. Drawing from the Draghi report, this initiative will shape the Commission’s political and legislative priorities in the coming years, with a strong focus on research, innovation, and industrial growth. 

A key component of this strategy is the planned European Research Area Act (2026), which will: 

  • Strengthen R&D investment and align research funding between the EU and Member States. 

  • Focus research support on strategic priorities. 

  • Enhance the mobility of knowledge and talent across Europe. 

KEY AREAS OF ACTION

The Competitiveness Compass outlines three main action areas—Innovation, Decarbonisation, and Security—alongside horizontal measures to reduce bureaucracy and improve policy coordination. 

Innovation: 

  • Creation of a ‘CERN for AI’ to advance the use of artificial intelligence in science. 

  • Strengthened collaboration between the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). The research community has already reacted to this proposal advocating for the principle of the Independence of the European Research Council (see Eurodoc  Response on "A Competitiveness Compass for the EU") and the need to maintain basic research (see LERU’s Secretary-General Prof. Kurt Deketelaere’s statement) 

  • New action plans for advanced materials, quantum and biotechnologies, robotics, and space technologies. 

  • A start-up/scale-up strategy to foster the growth of innovative companies. 

  • Revised public procurement rules allowing a “Buy European” approach in critical sectors. 

Enhancing Policy Coordination and Investment: 

  • A new competitiveness coordination tool will align industrial, research, and investment policies at both EU and national levels. 

  • As part of the next multiannual EU financial framework (2028-2035), a new Competitiveness Fund is proposed to replace existing funding instruments and support strategic European projects across research and investment sectors. 

Learn more about the Competitiveness Compass here.   

Stakeholder organizations advocate for increased funding for Social Sciences and Humanities in FP10  

A coalition of stakeholder organizations—including ISE, AURORA, Coimbra Group, the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities, ECIU, EUNIWELL, ERUA, LERU, NORCE, OPERAS, the SSH Council of the Netherlands, UNICA, and Yerun—has released a joint position paper highlighting the critical role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in the upcoming EU Research & Innovation Framework Programme (FP10). 

The paper underscores the need for: 

  • Inclusive Decision-Making – Ensuring that researchers from all disciplines play a central role in shaping policies, fostering inclusivity, and securing greater investment in SSH research to drive innovation and societal well-being. 

  • Enhanced Integration – Strengthening SSH representation within EU research and innovation initiatives to maximize interdisciplinary impact. 

  • Dedicated Funding – Securing specific funding within FP10 to tackle Europe’s pressing challenges, from technological innovation to sustainable and inclusive growth. 

This joint initiative calls on EU policymakers to fully integrate SSH expertise in FP10, recognizing its vital contribution to evidence-based policymaking, democratic resilience, and societal progress. 

NEWS ABOUT RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

A new framework to assess competences in research management 

The European Commission published the European Competence Framework for Research Managers (RM Comp) a comprehensive tool designed for the professionals working in research management. 

It is composed of a matrix of seven competence areas, 50 competences and 800 learning outcomes, along 4 proficiency levels (from foundational to expert).  

RM Comp serves as a key opportunity for the professional development of research managers, enabling employers and institutions to establish structured career pathways and recognize the expertise of these professionals. 

This initiative is framed within the European Policy Agenda – ERA Action17, and builds upon contributions from existing European projects such as CARDEA Project and RM ROADMAP. 

Learn more about the framework here. 

Results of RM ROADMAP available for the Research Management community 

 The EU-funded project dedicated to strengthening Research Management (RM) in Europe has recently published key findings, including a comprehensive mapping of the RM community and a tool showcasing existing training opportunities, networks, and funding sources for RMs across Europe. These results will support RMs in accessing career development opportunities and provide valuable insights into the RM community, helping to shape improved institutional and national policies in Research Management. 

EVENTS

International Science Council Third Annual Assembly and Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue

The International Science Council held its Third ISC General Assembly and Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue from January 26 to 30, 2025. For those who were unable to attend, all events are now available to watch via webstream: 

Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment (SECURE) project closing summit

The European project Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment (SECURE), with ICoRSA as a partner, will hold its final closing summit on March 6, 2025, in Brussels. The event will feature policy roundtables and the presentation of the project’s final results. 

A videostream will be available for remote participants. Stay tuned for the publication of the final links on the project’s website. 

Vitae events for its members

RELEVANT READINGS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES