Newsletter No. 2
Catch the latest updates below
Since our first update, our community has been actively working to build a skilled research community ready to drive not only scientific, but also economic, and societal change across Europe.
What Researchers Said: Insights from the Questionnaire
The SMART Researchers Questionnaire was conducted across seven partner institutions (higher education and research-performing organisations). It aimed to evaluate researchers' perceptions, experiences, and institutional practices across four key pillars, in alignment with the ERA Policy Agenda (Action 4: Strengthening research careers in the European Research Area). The survey combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture different dimensions of research career systems. Key findings indicate a strong individual awareness of ethical standards, academic freedom, gender equality, work-life balance, and generally supportive relationships with supervisors and colleagues. At the same time, the results highlight areas for improvement, including the need for more training in research ethics and Open Science, clearer career progression pathways, and stronger institutional support overall.
Mapping the Reality: Early HR Audits Results
HR audits were conducted in partnering institutions in Serbia, Croatia, and Greece by Road HR. The audits assessed current HR policies and practices, focusing on ethics, recruitment, working conditions, talent development, opportunities for researchers to move between sectors, and other key areas. They also looked at how institutions support researchers in building transferable skills, particularly those relevant to the green and digital transitions. Audits followed the European Charter for Researchers and HRS4R principles , providing insights that will guide Strategic Action Plans across partner institutions. See the infographic below for the key results and read them HERE.
Kickstarting IP Know-How Across SMART Researchers
The Foodscale Hub team Tatjana Knezevic, Konstantinidis (Head of Exploitation), and Nadiia Khakimova (Business Process Management Consultant) led the first Intellectual Property workshop for the SMART Researchers consortium. The session introduced key topics including IP rights, protection measures for innovations, IP management in EU-funded projects, and the development of the SMART Researchers Exploitation Strategy and IP Catalogue, marking a strong start in building awareness, capacity, and long-term impact across the consortium.
Celebrating Women in Science and Our Contribution
In February, the SMART Researchers team marked Women in Science Day , highlighting the importance of supporting women in research and ensuring that every colleague and emerging talent has an environment where they can grow, lead, and innovate . Recognising that diversity and inclusion go hand in hand in shaping the future of European science, the project continues to strengthen research careers and build more inclusive talent ecosystems.
Discover why this matters and how SMART Researchers is driving change!
From Events to Classrooms: Where SMART Researchers Showed Up
Our project coordinator, Dr Danijela Ćirić Lalić , attended the XXXI Conference "TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT: THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION" in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, where she presented the paper "Normative Alignment and Institutionalisation of Research Career Support at Universities in Serbia in Line with ERA Policies." The presentation explored key questions shaping Serbia's research ecosystem, including how universities can embed structured career support for researchers, align national frameworks with the evolving European Research Area (ERA), and stay competitive in upcoming European research and innovation opportunities. She also highlighted SMART Researchers as the initiative driving these efforts, showcasing how it strengthens institutional frameworks for researcher careers, builds capacities in Widening countries, and prepares universities for the next generation of Horizon Europe calls.
Our partners from the European Academy and PM².EU – PM² Center presented the SMART Researchers project at key events, increasing its visibility and contributing to broader discussions. The European Academy showcased the project at the "Discover the North-East" Tourism Gala 2025 , raising awareness among a wider audience beyond the research community. PM².EU – PM² Center presented its work at PM Agora 2025 – European Project Management & Innovation Forum and contributed to the GR digiGOV-innoHUB Weekly Forum , highlighting approaches to professional certification, project-based upskilling, and micro-credentials. These contributions supported ongoing discussions on competence-based development in research ecosystems, in line with the ResearchComp framework, the European Charter for Researchers, and ERA policy objectives.
Our partners from the University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism , presented the SMART Researchers project to final-year Master's students of Hospitality and Gastronomy at the Makarska campus. Students were introduced to the project's objectives, key instruments and principles of the European Research Area (ERA), as well as the European Competence Framework for Researchers, with the goal of familiarising them with opportunities for developing research careers and accessing available EU support mechanisms. They showed strong interest in the topics presented, particularly regarding the competencies needed to build a successful research career.
SMART Researchers Met in Split
SMART Researchers partners gathered on 19–20 March for a dynamic two-day meeting to reflect on the first six months of the project and align the next phase of work. The discussions combined progress review with forward-looking planning. Day 1 focused on implementation achievements, including insights from the HR audit and researcher questionnaire, while also launching strategic planning and institutionalisation efforts through a hands-on workshop to shape Strategic Action Plans (SAPs) and advance the set-up of Career Support Centers. Building on this momentum, Day 2 shifted to co-creation and coordination, with partners advancing the design of a ResearchComp-based micro-credentialing and certification framework, co-developing the Monitoring, Evaluation and Policy Feedback (MEPF) framework, planning the Women in Research Leadership Series across three countries, and aligning dissemination, exploitation, and communication activities with key milestones and long-term sustainability goals. The meeting reinforced strong collaboration across the consortium and set a clear, shared direction for delivering impactful results in the months ahead.
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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.