Support available for participating in European Partnerships and other EU-level Networks

By allocating resources and actively participating in EU networks and partnerships, researchers' opportunities will multiply whether it's about obtaining new information, new solutions, new markets, value chains or customers.

UOulu has decided to provide university level support for membership and enhanced participation in selected European Partnerships and other EU-level Networks. Support includes:

• Membership Fee
• Travel Costs to participate in the stakeholder meetings
• Support services to enable engagement and active participation 

More information on the services can be found here.

The financial support will be allocated annually with a possibility of renewal for up to three years to ensure long-term commitment and membership. During 2021, 2-3 membership in European Partnerships or other EU-level Networks will be supported. The supported participants will be chosen among the interested based on the following criteria: the suitability of the European Partnership/Network to UOulu’s profiling areas, potential to be of interest to more than one discipline, previous experience from partnerships and/or networks and finally and most importantly motivation and commitment. In order to get the most out of the partnerships, the applicant must be prepared to allocate their time outside of the meetings as well. The final selection will be done by rectors.

Candidate European Partnerships
What are the European Partnerships and their benefits for researchers: European Partnerships provide a platform to implement the research strategy in projects and networks to achieve a big goal. Membership in the European Partnerships or other EU-level Networks gives you an opportunity to expand your networks and collaborations and has a positive impact on your research and on European research priorities. Emphasis of the partnerships is growing in the EU research agenda and a substantial amount of Horizon Europe budget will be allocated to support the Partnerships. In addition, the success rate for funding is higher than in normal European research programme calls.

Horizon Europe Strategic plan 2021-2024 provides a list of the candidate European Partnerships. Based on prior participation of UOulu and identification of potential new ones where university level membership could bring added value, the following 16 have been identified:

Partnerships in digital, industry and space

• Artifical Intelligence, Data and Robotics
• Photonics
• Made in Europe
• Clean Steel – Low-Carbon Steelmaking
• Processes4Planet
• European Partnership for Globally competitive Space Systems
• Key Digital Technologies (KDT)
• Smart Networks and Services 

Partnerships in climate, energy and mobility

• Connected and Automated Driving (CCAM)
• European Partnership for an Industrial Battery Value Chain
• Zero-emission waterborne transport
• Towards zero-emission road transport (2ZERO)
• People-centric sustainable built environment (Built4People)
• Clean Hydrogen

Partnerships in Health

• Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Partnerships in food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

• Circular Bio-based Europe

Should you not find a suitable among these, you can also suggest another EU-level network. The network should fulfil the following criteria:

• Match to UOulu’s profiling areas
• Possibility of involving more than one discipline from UOulu
• Active in developing the EU level research and innovation agenda of the field(s) and promoting a dialogue with the preparatory bodies, such as the European Commission                      

If you are interested in participating in the partnerships and receiving enhanced support, fill in the registration form at Webropol at the latest by 5.5.

For further information, contact EU Specialist anniina.jaako@oulu.fi, 0406107202