Stay up-to-date with the latest developments and opportunities in the global research landscape. In this edition, we spotlight the launch of the ICoRSA 2024 International Survey on Research Precarity, upcoming workshops on research fellowships and mental health, and key updates in European research and innovation policies. Explore new funding opportunities, open calls for research, and upcoming events that are shaping the future of research careers.

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The ICoRSA RRING community gathers a worldwide community of researchers interested in science related topics and researchers’ careers. ICoRSA stands for International Consortium of Research Staff Associations and RRING as Responsible Research and Innovation Networked Globally (RRING). It will re-activate members from previous communities created under the European funded project RRING – Responsible Research and Innovation Networked Globally.

ICoRSA represents individual researchers working at all levels of career in all types of institutions.

ICoRSA International Survey 

Join the Movement: Participate in ICoRSA’s 2024 International Survey on Research Precarity 

The International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) is excited to announce the launch of our third survey, focusing on working conditions and social rights. Your participation is crucial in helping us gather comprehensive data that can drive meaningful change. The 2024 survey is structured into six key sections to capture a holistic view of the research landscape: 

• Demographics: Understanding the diverse backgrounds of our research community. 

• Contractual Conditions: Insights into the nature of research contracts.

• Career Expectations: Exploring aspirations and career progression in research. 

• Professional Development: Analyzing the professional development offer and needs of researchers. 

• Participation in Governance Structures: Assessing involvement in decision-making processes. 

Who Should Participate? 

We invite postdoctoral researchers from all sectors—academia, business, public administration, and the non-profit private sector—to participate. The survey is open to researchers at all career stages, from early-stage postdocs to senior researchers across all scientific domains. 

Your experiences and insights are key to highlighting the realities of research precarity and advocating for improved working conditions and social rights for all researchers. 

Join us in this important initiative and make your voice heard. Complete the ICoRSA 2024 International Survey on Research Precarity  today and help us build a better future for researchers worldwide by October 1^st, 2024. 

Public debate: The endless precarity of Research fellowships contributions by ANIH, CAPS and ICoRSA 

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming online workshop, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by researchers who rely on stipends and fellowships. This event will take place on September 17^th, 2024, from 4pm to 6 pm CEST, and we believe your participation will be invaluable in shaping a comprehensive understanding and potential solutions to improve the working conditions for these researchers. 

Workshop Overview 

In academia and other research institutions, many researchers depend on stipends and fellowships, often facing financial insecurity, professional instability, and mental health challenges. Despite the intellectual fulfillment these fields promise, the reality for many is less promising. Research fellowships, typically used for PhD work or short-term research tasks, are often extended to postdoctoral researchers, reducing costs for institutions but also reducing access to regular employment benefits. 

Our workshop will delve into these issues, share personal experiences, and collaboratively discuss potential solutions. By understanding the negative impacts on working conditions, we aim to advocate for better policies and support systems that foster a more equitable and sustainable research environment. 

Speakers 

• Dr. Henny Bennett, Chair of the Canadian Association for Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS): “Improving the social benefits of research fellowships in Canada” 

• Dr. Ana Ferreira, Assistant Researcher at CICS.NOVA NOVA FCSH: “Precarity in Portugal” 

• Dr. Tracy Wietecha, Max Planck PostdocNet 

• Mrs. Jorunn Dahl Norgard, Head of International Affairs, Norwegian Association of Researchers 

• Dr. Francisco Javier del Castillo, ANIH: “Pathways to end precarity: Government incentives and regulations in Spain” 

Participation at the event is free of charge, but registration is compulsory via Zoom until September 16^th: 

For more information, please go to our website  

Cost Action ReMO on Researcher Mental Health: Webinar on Challenges Facing International Researchers – August 21, 5-6 pm CEST  

Murat Güneş of the Marie Curie Alumni Association will discuss the Challenges facing international researchers. 

For more information

Also, see the reports Research Culture Initiatives in the UK and the Research Culture Framework.  

New composition of the European decision-making structures 

Ursula van der Leyen is appointed as President of the European Commission for a second mandate and Roberta Metsola as President of the European Parliament also for a second mandate. Both have been voices towards the importance of research.   

For more information about Ursula van der Leyen future vision for Europe see the Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029. 

New Leadership and Fresh Faces in the European Parliament's ITRE Committee 

The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) has elected EPP Polish MEP Borys Budka (European People's Party) as its new chair, alongside four vice-chairs.  The election of the vice-chairs saw a blend of representatives from different political groups, including S&D, ECR, and Renew Europe. 

Key Vice-Chair Elections 

• Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D, Bulgaria): Elected as first vice-chair, running unopposed. 

• Elena Donazzan (ECR, Italy): Elected as second vice-chair amid controversy over past statements, securing 47 votes in favor. 

• Giorgio Gori (S&D, Italy): Elected as third vice-chair with 66 votes. 

• Yvan Verougstraete (Renew, Belgium): Elected as fourth vice-chair. 

These leaders will serve two and a half years, coordinating committee work in the Conference of Committee Chairs. 

New Members with Research Backgrounds 

Several newly elected MEPs with substantial research experience have joined ITRE: 

• Eszter Lakos: Former science and technology diplomat, represented Hungary in Horizon Europe negotiations. 

• Paulius Saudargas (Lithuania): Biophysics PhD, with a background in national defense and semiconductor physics. 

• Bruno Tobback (S&D, Belgium): Former minister focused on climate change. 

• Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (France): Former energy and climate policy researcher.  

ITRE now boasts 90 members, making it the largest committee in Parliament alongside the environment committee.

Returning Members 

• Christian Ehler (Germany, EPP): Co-rapporteur for Horizon Europe, now EPP coordinator in ITRE and chair of STOA. 

• Dan Nica (Romania, S&D): Advocate for greater geographical balance in Horizon Europe funding, leads S&D MEPs in ITRE. 

• Christophe Grudler (France, Renew): Proponent of nuclear energy, prioritizes decarbonisation and innovation. 

• Ivars Ijabs (Latvia, Renew): Supporter of Widening efforts using cohesion funds. 

The newly elected and returning members are set to steer ITRE towards addressing critical issues such as research funding, climate change, and innovation, ensuring the committee's influential role in shaping the future of European industry, research, and energy policies. 

Funding Opportunities

Great news for research collaboration in Europe: the European Union and Canada signed Canada's Association Agreement to Horizon Europe Pillar II "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness".  

This means that Canadian-based organisations and companies can participate as full beneficiaries (and receiving funding) in Horizon Europe Pillar 2 programme. Pillar 2 is the largest collaborative part of the programme in Horizon Europe, with a budget of €52.4 billion and focuses on shared global challenges such as climate, energy, digital economy and health. 

To learn more about the list of associated countries in Horizon Europe go to the list:

Open calls for research on Cancer funded by the European Commission 

Horizon Europe has currently open the following six (6) calls for proposals for cancer research to support the EU Mission on Cancer: with deadline for all six topics is 18 September 2024, 17:00 (CEST): 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-01: Use cases for the UNCAN.eu research data platform (RIA) 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-02: Support dialogue towards the development of national cancer data nodes (CSA) 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-03: Accessible and affordable tests to advance early detection of heritable cancers in European regions (IA) 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-04: Support a pragmatic clinical trial programme by cancer charities (CSA) 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-05: Improving the understanding and management of late-effects in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer (RIA) 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-CANCER-01-06: An information portal for the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (IA) 

Open calls for research on Ocean funded by the European Commission 

Horizon Europe has currently opened the following seven (7) calls for proposals for research to support the European Commission Mission and Waters with closing date of 18 of September 2024: 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-01: European Blue Parks – Offshore marine protected areas 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-02: Danube River basin lighthouse – Protection and restoration of migratory fish habitats

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-03: Atlantic and Arctic Sea basin lighthouse, Mediterranean Sea basin lighthouse, Baltic and North Sea basin lighthouse - Reducing the environmental impacts of fisheries on marine species and habitats 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-04: Science for Community – Building the marine Citizen Science data network of the future to valorise data coming from the ocean and increase engagement 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01-05: Our Blue Future – Co-designing a future vision of a restored ocean and water system in the EU by 2030 and 2050 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-02-01: Community-led actions to restore our ocean, seas and waters 

• HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-02-02: Support for the Coalition of waterfront cities, regions and islands for Mission Ocean and Waters 

Check out the opportunities for Social Sciences and Humanities topics in European programme Horizon Europe workprogramme 2023-25 mapping exercise by Net4society:

2025 Mirzayan Fellowships 

Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program for early career individuals to spend 12 weeks at the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine learning about science and technology policy and advice. Applications to be submitted by 9 September 2024. 

Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize 

The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize consists of two categories on Medical Research which honors individual(s) and Medical Services which honors individual(s) and organization(s). Deadline for nominations is 20 September 2024.