ICoRSA May Newsletter

The International Consortium of Research Staff Associations

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ICoRSA
May 15, 2025

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Interested in New Partnerships

ICoRSA is actively seeking new collaborations and is open to joining consortia in upcoming project calls. With extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, research policy, and communication and dissemination, we bring valuable expertise to EU and international research initiatives. If your consortium is looking for a partner focused on advancing researcher careers, inclusion, and science policy, we’d be glad to connect. Let’s explore how we can work together to make a lasting impact.

Send us a mail and let’s talk:

News about ICoRSA 

Upcoming Event: Public Debate on Challenges Faced by Underrepresented Researchers in Academia 

ICoRSA, in collaboration with its member organizations APNG and CAPS/ACP, is hosting a public debate on the challenges faced by underrepresented and marginalized researchers in academia. 

The event will spotlight the systemic barriers impacting women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities in academia. Researcher associations as Eurodoc, MCAA and Young Academy Europe will share their efforts to support inclusion, while case studies from Brazil, Canada, and the UK will highlight national initiatives advancing equality and diversity in research. The debate will also feature the SECURE project, showcasing how institutional initiatives—such as research career frameworks—can contribute to greater inclusion. These frameworks can provide clearer and fairer career pathways, enhance access to support and mentorship, and embed diversity into research systems and policies. 

Join us as we explore inclusive career frameworks and collective actions to improve working conditions in research. 

📅 8th July, 2025 

🕒 2 -5 pm CEST 

Help us Map Training Opportunities for Researchers 

In line with ICoRSA’s mission to support the career development of researchers, we are building a database of existing training opportunities for the global research community. To achieve this, we are calling on the training community to help us identify relevant programmes. All listed opportunities will be made openly available on ICoRSA’s website and promoted through our newsletter—providing free visibility for your training offer to a broad international audience. 

What are we looking to disseminate? 
We welcome information on ongoing training opportunities aimed at researchers and research professionals across all career stages and disciplines. These may include technical or transversal skills training and can be either free or paid. 

How can you contribute? 
Simply complete this short form to submit your training offer—it will directly feed into our website: https://icorsa.org/2025/help-us-map-training-opportunities-for-researchers/  

Research Matters 

ICoRSA joined the Research Matters campaign as an official partner, supporting its open letter calling for increased investment in research across European funding systems.  

The campaign advocates for three key goals:  

  • Increased funding for R&D and over 3% of GDP in EU and all European countries  

  • Doubling the budget for the EU’s next research and innovation programme (FP10)  

  • Protecting the latter by ring-fencing it.  

Learn more about the initiative here.  

ICoRSA joins ISE Annual Meeting and meeting with Irish MEP   

ICoRSA’s Legal Secretary, Dr. Rosarii Griffin joined the Initiative Science Europe (ISE) General Assembly held 24-25 March 2025 in Brussels. ISE gathers organisations and research organizations across all scientific disciplines to promote independent scientific advice in the development of European policies. 

ISE General Meeting promoted policy discussions on the future of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, FP10 within the current context of political uncertainty and societal challenges. ISE issued recommendations for the 10th Framework programme, which you can find here. 

Dr. Rosarii Griffin met Irish Billy Kelleher MEP, at the European Parliament in Brussels to where she represented both ICoRSA and IrishRSA. During their discussion, she highlighted the need for a standalone budget for FP10 and emphasized the importance of Member State engagement in the European Parliament to support this objective. 

ICoRSA’s Pharos Project 

The health of our oceans is increasingly under threat from pollution, habitat degradation, and the urgent need for sustainable economic practices.  

The EU has set ambitious targets to protect marine ecosystems, reduce pollution, and achieve a carbon-neutral blue economy by 2030. However, bridging the gap between setting these goals and implementing effective solutions remains a challenge. 

Pharos https://pharosproject.eu/  HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-03), a Mission Ocean project based on three key pillars: public mobilization, innovation and technology leadership, and valorisation and commercialization for the Blue Economy to achieve the mission goals.  

ICoRSA as a key partner in this project invites you to follow https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharos-project/ for upcoming news, events and webinars on nature-based solutions and citizen involvement in marine solutions. 

News about Research Associations 

EURODOC 

The COST Action Cross-Cutting Activity on Career Development for Young Researchers, chaired by EURODOC Vice-President Nicola Dengo and Joanna Rutkowska, has officially launched its Activity Plan: https://www.cost.eu/cca-activity-plan/ 

This initiative brings together researchers, career development experts, and key stakeholder organisations—such as ICoRSA—to support the career development of early-career researchers. By building a community of practice, the network aims to share and promote examples of good practice in training and human resources strategies across Europe. The ultimate goal is to offer young researchers and innovators enhanced career opportunities and long-term perspectives. 

The network will run from December 2024 to the end of November 2026. 

The International Science Council (ISC) launches 2025 Survey on Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations 

The International Science Council (ISC), in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science, has launched the 2025 Survey on Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations. 

Part of the project Advancing Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations, the survey aims to track progress, update baseline data, and generate actionable insights to foster more inclusive participation and representation of women in science. 

The survey is now available online: https://council.science/news/2025-gender-equality-in-scientific-organizations-survey/ 
 
News about Research and Innovation Policies 

The European Commission is seeking feedback on its Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) — the EU's long-term budget that supports all policy areas. The public consultation is open to all citizens and organizations until May 6: 

The European Commission is looking for independent professional experts in the health sector for evaluation of project proposals under Horizon Europe. The interested parties need to fill in their profile in the European Commission expert database: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/work-as-an-expert  

Events 

  1. The EU-funded project PREPARED will present its Global Code of Conduct for Research During Pandemics at its final conference, "Promoting Equitable Science During Crisis," to be held at UNESCO Headquarters on June 3rd, 2025. Moderated by science journalist and broadcaster Vivienne Parry OBE, the event will showcase the project's key outcomes and address UNESCO’s recent initiatives on Open Science and the protection of scientific researchers to address equitable international collaboration in science in times of crisis. 

  1. Join YERUN in celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Thursday, 5 June 2025, at Sparks, Brussels. The conference will bring together the R&I community to discuss resource allocation in Europe, the future role of universities, and how institutions can adapt to emerging challenges. Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qQwYlmGyuES6Scv90CxWQ7ALnnAvsFhPi514i3bXFRpUMzdFWEdLWUxLS0FHTUJRWjhTMTRISEZPWS4u&route=shorturl  

 Funding opportunities 

  • Call for applications for the Pathways Autumn School 2025 for doctoral researchers and researchers who finished their PhD within the last 10 years, living and working in Europe (deadline: 12 May) 

  • Call for nominations for the TWAS-Apex Award honoring an individual scientist from the developing world who has demonstrated excellence in advancing the field of Quantum Science and Technology (deadline: 15 May) 

  • Call for applications for the Momentum MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship programme, a 5-year initiative aimed at attracting and nurturing up to 35 exceptional postdoctoral researchers from around the globe (deadline: 31 May) 

Relevant readings 

  • Postdoctoral Research in Belgium: A Critical Look 
    The FNRS Observatory has released its third report on postdoctoral researchers in Belgium, highlighting persistent challenges such as job insecurity, lack of long-term career perspectives, and the need for structural reforms. The report provides detailed data on contract types, mobility, and working conditions.