Excellence Hubs
Funds €1.5–4.5M Excellence Hubs that connect Widening-country regions into durable R&I ecosystems.
Excellence Hubs help regions in Widening countries turn research strength into durable innovation ecosystems. Each Hub should connect higher-education and research institutions, businesses such as SMEs and start-ups, regional or local public authorities, and societal actors around a shared cross-border agenda.
Projects should set a long-term joint R&I strategy aligned with smart specialisation pr…
Build Excellence Hubs that connect at least two R&I ecosystems in two different Widening countries through the quadruple helix of academia, business, public authorities and societal actors. Design a cross-border joint R&I strategy aligned with regional smart specialisation strategies and European priorities; strengthen academia–business research collaboration; develop investment plans and sustainable business models; plan pilots where relevant; and deliver knowledge transfer, mutual learning, skills, secondments and citizen engagement. Coordinators must be established in a Widening country, and the R&I work package must remain distinct and non-dominant.
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