Newsletter No. 1
Welcome to the very first SMART Researchers Project Newsletter!
We are thrilled to be building a community of skilled researchers ready to lead scientific, economic, and societal change across Europe.
What is SMART Researchers?
The SMART Researchers is a 3-year Horizon Europe project, coordinated by the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad. It will run from September 2025 until August 2028, uniting 11 partners with diverse expertise from Serbia, Croatia, Greece and Latvia.
The project is on a mission to build sustainable talent ecosystems for Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in Widening Countries. By promoting HR practices aligned with the European Framework for Research Careers and the European Charter for Researchers, we aim to enhance working conditions and provide a robust capacity-building framework.
The approach will also include micro-credentialing and certification based on the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp), helping ESRs acquire and showcase the advanced skills needed to thrive in interoperable careers. With a focus on the green and digital transitions, SMART Researchers equips the next generation of researchers to meet the evolving demands of research and innovation in Europe.
Steps to success
SMART Researchers is aiming for:
Kick off meeting in Novi Sad, Serbia
In September, the SMART Researchers project officially launched with an inspiring two-day kick-off 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. Throughout the meeting, partners introduced their roles in the project, shared their ambitions, and engaged in meaningful discussions that laid the groundwork for a shared mission: to build sustainable talent ecosystems for Early-Stage Researchers in Widening Countries.
Curious to meet our partners and learn more about the project?
Spotlight on SMART Researchers
In just four months, the SMART Researchers project is already gaining strong visibility and recognition across the research community. Interest is growing fast, with several media outlets highlighting our mission and activities. Coverage includes radio announcements, feature stories, and a dedicated interview with our Project Coordinator on Radio Televizija Vojvodine , bringing our message to audiences across the region.
What Have We Been Up to Recently?
SMART Researchers made its debut at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona! Our partner organisation, Minds Europe Institute, proudly represented the project, contributing to discussions on inclusive education, digital transformation, and research excellence. As one of the world’s leading platforms for urban innovation and digital transformation, the event offered a great opportunity to share the SMART Researchers' mission and engage a broader audience in shaping the future of research careers.
Identifying Gaps and Shaping Opportunities for Early-Stage Researchers
During November and December, the SMART Researchers project began its baseline assessment to map the existing skills ESRs possess against the ResearchComp framework and identify gaps in sectoral and transversal competencies needed for the green and digital transitions. This assessment will serve as a foundation for designing the micro-credentialing and certification framework, ensuring that subsequent training programmes support talent development and meet labour market demands.
Key activities include:
🏛️ Institutional HR audits - Conducted at academic institutions (UNSFTS, UNISTFEBT, UTH) and non-academic R&I-performing organisations (MEI, IED, IRMO, FSH) to identify gaps in recruitment, career progression, and sectoral mobility.
📝 SMART Researchers Questionnaire - Partner organisations will gather ESRs by the end of the year to complete this survey, based on the European Charter for Researchers and the ERA Pillars, assessing perceptions, experiences, and practices in Ethics, Integrity, Gender and Open Science; Researchers’ Assessment, Recruitment and Progression; Working Conditions and Practices; and Research Careers and Talent Development.
Initial results from the HR audits and questionnaire will be shared soon.
Stay tuned and follow our website for updates!
Top Picks from Our Newsroom
Latest insights, educational resources, and project updates are waiting for you in our Newsroom. Stay informed about everything happening at SMART Researchers!
Featured articles:
- Talent Development Ecosystems Within SMART Researchers: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
- Building Sustainable Research Careers: The Support Young Researchers Really Need
- From Green to Digital: The Skills Researchers Need for the Twin Transitions
Want to Stay in the Loop?
Don’t wait for the next newsletter. Follow us on social media for regular updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and the latest from the SMART Researchers project!
SMART Researchers has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101216967
Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.