Newsletter August 2025

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ICoRSA
August 04, 2025

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NEWS ABOUT OUR RSAs

Max Planck PostdocNet Survey Results 2024

ICoRSA member organization, Max Planck PostdocNet, has just released the results of the 2024 Max Planck PostdocNet Survey.

The survey offers a comprehensive look into the working conditions of #postdocs across the Max Planck Society, covering key areas such as mental well-being, career development, academic mobility, parenting, and more.

This is a powerful reminder of the crucial role that research staff associations play in gathering evidence on researchers’ working conditions and in supporting informed, data-driven decision-making.

NEWS ABOUT RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS

Eurodoc Postdoc Survey Report 

The European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) has published the results of its Postdoc Survey, based on data collected between 2018 and 2019 from its member organizations. The survey presents findings on working conditions, well-being, and other aspects related to research careers. 
Read more about the report here: https://zenodo.org/records/15756208

Your Voice Matters: Survey on Equity in Scientific Organizations

Share your experience: Global survey on participation in scientific organizations 

The International Science Council, the InterAcademy Partnership, and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science invite all scientists engaged in scientific organizations (academies, young academies, unions, societies, research councils, associations) to take part in a global survey. The survey explores how scientists participate in these organizations—including access, roles, leadership pathways, perceived benefits and barriers, organizational culture, inclusion, policies, recognition, and experiences of discrimination. The results will inform evidence-based recommendations to help make scientific communities more inclusive and equitable. Take the survey: https://council.science/news/global-survey-participation-scientific-organizations/ 

  • Deadline: 5 August 2025 

  • Open to all scientists involved in scientific organisations. 

NEWS IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION POLICIES

Commission Proposal: R&I Budget 2028–2034 

The European Commission has published its budget proposal for the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), covering the period 2028–2034. The European Commission has proposed a €175 billion budget for FP10 (2028–2034), representing a significant increase over the €95.5 billion allocated to Horizon Europe (2021–2027). The funding is structured across four strategic pillars, each targeting key areas for Europe’s scientific, technological, and societal advancement:

Pillar I – Excellent Science (€44.079 billion) 

  • European Research Council (ERC) 

  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 

  • Science for EU Policies 

Pillar II – Competitiveness and Society (€75.876 billion) 

This pillar supports collaborative research carried out by consortia, which may include international partners. It will be aligned with the forthcoming European Competitiveness Fund. 

  1. Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation 

  1. Health, Biotech, Agriculture, and Bioeconomy 

  1. Digital Leadership 

  1. Resilience, Security, Defence Industry, and Space 

Society 

  1. Global Societal Challenges 

  1. EU Missions 

  1. New European Bauhaus Facility.

Pillar III – Innovation (€38.785 billion) 

  • European Innovation Council 

  • Innovation Ecosystems and the Knowledge Triangle 

Pillar IV – European Research Area (ERA) (€16.262 billion) 

  • ERA Policies 

  • Research and Technology Infrastructures  

  • Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence 

ICoRSA and other research and innovation stakeholders welcomed the increased budget proposed for FP10. However, ongoing discussions and proposals leave open questions regarding the degree of alignment between Pillar II and the European Competitiveness Fund. 

Concerns have also been raised about elements of Pillar I, particularly: 

  • A proposed limitation on the role of the President of the European Research Council (ERC) within its governance structure, and, 

  • Suggestions to introduce directionality in calls under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which may affect the programme’s bottom-up nature.

Read more about the stakeholders' statements: 

Contribute to the next Gender Equality Strategy 

The European Commission is requesting feedback from the community for its next 2026-2030 gender equality strategy. It would be great if this group submits policy feedback as ICoRSA. Please find below additional information:  

Gender equality is a fundamental right for all and a fundamental value of the EU. The new 2026-2030 gender equality strategy will outline the concrete measures that the European Commission intends to carry out over the next five years to advance gender equality in Europe.  
Call for evidence is open for your feedback until August 11, 2025. 

NEWS ABOUT RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

New RM Framework Supports European Qualification System for Research Managers 

The RM Framework was recently approved by the European Commission. It will support the development of a European qualification system for research management by standardising education and training programmes and introducing a quality label to enhance interoperability and strengthen the research management profession within the European Research Area (ERA). 

Learn more about the project: https://rm-framework.eu/ 

RM ROADMAP Event 

The RM ROADMAP Online Dissemination Event will bring together RM ROADMAP Ambassadors, Advisory Board members, project partners, and other stakeholders from the research management community to reflect on the project’s progress and showcase its outcomes. The event will highlight the project’s overarching goal: to develop a comprehensive roadmap for research managers across Europe. 

Online on September 18th 2025, from 9:30 to 12:30 WEST 

EVENTS

Registrations are open to the European Research and Innovation Days 

The annual event dedicated to European research and innovation policy will take place on 16–17 September, both in Brussels and online, offering a unique opportunity to engage with experts and policymakers. 

The European Research and Innovation Days are free and open to everyone with an interest in learning more about the future of research and innovation in Europe. 

This year’s edition comes at a pivotal moment, as discussions are underway on the future EU budget, including the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Key policy proposals will be explored include: 

  • Choose Europe for Science 

  • European Life Sciences Strategy 

  • AI in Science Strategy 

  • European Innovation and European Research Area Acts 

OPPORTUNITIES

Marie Curie Alumni Association is hiring

RELEVANT READINGS

Professional integration of PhD holders in France report 

The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research has published its latest report on the professional integration of PhD holders three years after graduation. The survey reveals that 93% of PhDs who graduated in 2020 were employed in 2023, with 84% in stable positions. Employment rates remain high across disciplines, though career paths and contract types vary significantly between fields. The report highlights the importance of continued support for doctoral training and career development, both within and beyond academia.