SMART Researchers Project Officially Kicked Off
In September, the SMART Researchers project officially launched with an inspiring two-day kick-off meeting held in Science and Technology Park in Novi Sad. Hosted by the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, the meeting brought together all 11 consortium partners for the first time, marking an important milestone in the project’s implementation.
Day 1: Project Vision and Strategic Alignment
The first day opened with a welcome by Project Coordinator Danijela Ćirić Lalić, who highlighted the systemic change the SMART Researchers project seeks to achieve in strengthening research careers in Widening Countries. Milan Vidaković, Vice Dean for Science and International Cooperation, reinforced the project’s vision and institutional commitment by emphasising the importance of structured and sustainable career frameworks for Early-Stage Researchers.
Dario Capezzuto, Policy Officer, underlined the project’s strategic relevance by highlighting its alignment with European Research Area (ERA) priorities and its contribution to improving research careers across Europe.
The day concluded with presentations from all 11 consortium partners, who outlined their roles, expertise, and planned contributions. These presentations fostered collaboration and set the stage for the interactive sessions planned for the second day.
Day 2: From Strategy to Implementation
The second day focused on practical implementation and collaboration. Partners participated in workshops on the stakeholder journey and on dissemination, communication, and exploitation, exploring ways to translate project strategies into visibility, impact, and long-term sustainability.
The day also included sessions on project management and planning, which aligned partners, clarified next steps, and supported a coordinated project start. These activities strengthened the shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, and timelines, supporting a smooth implementation phase.
Building a Shared Mission
Throughout the meeting, partners exchanged ideas, and engaged in meaningful discussions that laid the groundwork for a shared mission: to build sustainable talent development ecosystems for ESRs in Widening Countries.
Watch the kick-off meeting video to meet the project partners and learn more about the SMART Researchers initiative.