First Four Months in Review: SMART Researchers’ Key Activities
The first four months of SMART Researchers have been a period of focused work and steady progress. Since launching in September, our team has been turning ideas into action, advancing our goals, and building strong connections with the research community.
As we look back, here’s a snapshot of the key moments that made our first months so exciting, and set the stage for the journey ahead.
Kick-Off Meeting in September
In September, the SMART Researchers project officially kicked off with an inspiring two-day meeting in Novi Sad! Hosted by Project Coordinator Danijela Ćirić Lalić at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, the event brought together all 11 consortium partners.
During the meeting, partners introduced their roles, shared their ambitions, and engaged in meaningful discussions, all centred around one shared goal: building sustainable talent ecosystems for Early-Stage Researchers in Widening Countries. These conversations set the stage for collaboration and defined the mission that will guide the project in the months to come.
SMART Researchers in the Media
After our kick-off, we focused on presenting SMART Researchers to a wider audience. In the months that followed, the project gained growing visibility and recognition across the research community through a series of media appearances and interviews.
Several outlets highlighted our mission and activities, including radio announcements, feature stories, and a dedicated interview with our Project Coordinator on Radio Televizija Vojvodine. These opportunities allowed us to share our goals and mission with audiences across the region, raising awareness of SMART Researchers and highlighting its importance.
SMART Researchers on the Move: From Barcelona to Serbia
The first months of SMART Researchers were marked by two major events that brought the project into the spotlight. The first was the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, where our partner organisation, Minds Europe Institute, proudly presented the project. As one of the world’s leading platforms for urban innovation, the event provided an excellent opportunity to introduce SMART Researchers to a broader audience and spark conversations about the future of research careers.
Shortly after, our Project Coordinator, Dr Danijela Ćirić Lalić, represented the project at the XXXI Conference “Trends of Development: The Future of Higher Education” in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia. She presented the paper “Normative Alignment and Institutionalisation of Research Career Support at Universities in Serbia in Line with ERA Policies,” examining how universities can strengthen career support for researchers, align with European Research Area (ERA) policies, and remain competitive in European research and innovation. During her presentation, SMART Researchers was highlighted as a key initiative supporting institutional frameworks, building capacities in Widening countries, and preparing universities for the next generation of Horizon Europe opportunities.
Laying the Groundwork: HR Audit and Questionnaire for Researchers
During November and December, we began two main activities. First, institutional HR audits were conducted by our partner organisation ROAD HR at both academic institutions (UNSFTS, UNISTFEBT, UTH) and non-academic R&I-performing organisations (MEI, IED, IRMO, FSH) to highlight gaps in recruitment practices, career progression, and sectoral mobility. Second, partner organisations gathered ESRs to complete the SMART Researchers Questionnaire, based on the European Charter for Researchers and the ERA Pillars. The survey captured their perceptions, experiences, and practices across key areas, including Ethics and Integrity, Gender and Open Science, Recruitment and Career Progression, Working Conditions, and Research Careers and Talent Development.
Conclusion
2025 has been an exciting start for SMART Researchers, laying the foundations to support the next generation of researchers with structured training, mentorship, and cross-sector mobility. Together, we are building a skilled community ready to lead scientific, economic, and societal change across Europe. As we step into the New Year, follow our journey and stay updated on the project’s developments and outcomes through the SMART Researchers Newsroom and its social media channels: LinkedIn, Instagram and X.