Bulgarian Liaison Office for Research’s Post

Strengthening Research Security Across Borders 🔐 Delighted to share that Sapna Marwaha is contributing to the European Flagship Conference on #ResearchSecurity this month. Experts from across #Europe and beyond are gathering to explore how we can better safeguard research collaboration in an increasingly complex global landscape. Sapna has trained and supported researchers and research managers from over 50 countries in responding to the evolving challenges. She'll be sharing the insights she has gained on the similarities, differences and tensions across the global research and innovation ecosystem. This conference is a timely opportunity to build on global cooperation in this space. 🌍 #ResearchSecurity #ResponsibleResearch #TrustedResearch

The family photo with common goals. International cooperation with the Western Balkans in research and innovation. Discussions focused on strengthening research infrastructures, the role of artificial intelligence in science, and the importance of smart specialization strategies in driving both the green and digital transitions. The conclusions of the meeting emphasized support for private sector engagement through funding, capacity building, and skills development. Participants also highlighted the Western Balkans Growth Plan and increased participation in European programmes such as COST and Eureka as key priorities for boosting the region’s competitiveness. Bilateral meetings explored ways to reduce the innovation gap between the EU and the Western Balkans by strengthening industry–academia cooperation and expanding mobility and research exchange programmes.

Stronger Cooperation, Safer Collaboration – Sector Voices Ahead of the Flagship EU Conference 🔍 As we prepare for next week’s Flagship EU conference, we’re reflecting on the powerful insights shared throughout our event series and captured in the Stronger Cooperation, Safer Collaboration report released earlier this year. From navigating complexity to strengthening cross-border cooperation, research managers across the European research and innovation sector had lots of ideas for how we can work better together to drive more responsible research. These perspectives are shaping the agenda as we move towards more resilient, ethical, and secure research partnerships in Europe and beyond. Read the full report and explore the sector’s recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eiYikyDz 📘 Led by Loughborough University, Formation Consultancy Ltd, and University of Stirling 🤝 Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Research, Science and Technology 💡 #ResearchSecurity #EUConference #SectorVoices #Collaboration

🇪🇺🗓️Today marks the start of the first European Flagship Conference on Research Security, co-organised by the European Commission’s DG RTD and the R&I sector. Science Europe, as a co-organiser, is hosting two sessions on 29 October, bringing forward policy messages from its series of research security workshops during 2025. ❓What is research security and why do we need it? Collaborating with international partners is an integral part of scientific excellence but also entails unavoidable risks. Such risks should be mitigated rather than eliminated, to avoid impacting science. For that, due diligence measures are essential. 🔐The key to research security is proportionality, awareness-raising amongst researchers, research organisations and funders, and the support of national governments through a collaborative approach. We should avoid over-securitising the R&I sector and preserve openness, academic integrity, collegiality and reciprocity. Very happy to have been coordinating this initiative and to continue enhancing research security across research funding and research performing organisations. 💻You can now read our more detailed analysis and key policy messages in Science Europe’s report, launched today. It was a pleasure to lead this report together with the expertise and contributions of our task force members DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.17433203 #EUResearchSecurity2025 #ResearchSecurity EU Science, Research and Innovation Science Europe

Keeping research open, innovative, and secure, a delicate balance explored at the European Flagship Research Security Conference this week. 🔬 Thank you to the European Commission for the opportunity to co-organise this crucial event, which brought together research funding and performing organisations, researchers, policy makers, business and industry, public authorities and other experts and stakeholders to discuss the evolving challenges of research security in Europe. 🛡️ Our panel sessions, one co-organised together with ALLEA – The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, highlighted the complex interplay between academic freedom, openness, and research security. For some, these elements can reinforce each other, but for others, compromises are unavoidable. Striking the right balance requires a deeper understanding of research security to avoid unintended consequences such as protectionism, overcompliance, or discrimination. Clearly defining what truly needs protection, alongside considerations for teaching and institutional structures, is a critical part of the conversation. 💡 The role of research funding and performing organisations was also a key focus. Security measures need to be clear, proportionate, and user-friendly, aiming to raise awareness and build a culture of security without over-burdening researchers. Over-securitising research risks limiting international cooperation and diversity, both essential to research excellence. Defining “crown jewels” in fundamental research is complex and varies across institutions, and the cost of non-collaboration must also be carefully considered. 🤝A big thank you to all the speakers of both panels - Tommy Shih, Krzystof Jóźwiak, Arne Jarrick, Alex Lewis, Laure Ognois, Marijk van der Wende, Francisco Javier Moreno Fuentes, Isabelle Verbaeys, Ton De Kok, Frances Wood, and Jan Pergl, for their insights on research security, academic freedom, and practical case studies that made both panels truly engaging. #ResearchSecurity #AcademicFreedom #EUResearchSecurity2025 CESAER Coimbra Group EARTO - European Association of Research and Technology Organisations European Export Control Association for Research Organisations (EECARO) European University Association EU-LIFE League of European Research Universities (LERU) The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities

How to connect Horizon Europe and the competitiveness fund Programmes need distinct remits and governance to collaborate successfully, write Mattias Björnmalm, PhD and Wendy Sonneveld in an opinion article published on 6 October in Research Professional news. Full article is free to read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eG2cgFTU

The European Commission is organising the conference 💠 "From knowledge to impact: Shaping Europe’s next innovation wave" 💠 on #13November2025 in Brussels and online. The event builds on the recent advances to drive knowledge valorisation, supported by this year's key research and innovation strategies and new proposals for #HorizonEurope and the #EuropeanCompetitivenessFund. The sessions highlight main initiatives and practical considerations under the #StartupScaleupStrategy, the #ResearchTechnologyInfrastructures Strategy, and #ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027. It is a great opportunity for everyone in research and innovation to get together and learn about the latest policies and support initiatives. It's also a perfect time to share ideas, talk about challenges and opportunities, and explore ways to work better together. More info, agenda and registration 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eHRizgub See you in Brussels👋🏼 EU Science, Research and Innovation

Upcoming European Commission event on research commercialisation (or knowledge valorisation as it is sometimes called) is taking place on Thursday 13th of November in Brussels. The event will include the participation of Christian Stafford, Department Manager of Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) on a panel discussing licensing and spin-off creation. Inter alia, the event will cover Europe’s Startup and Scaleup Strategy, its Research and Technology Infrastructures Strategy, and its ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027. The event will be in hybrid format; for those who can’t make it to Brussels, the event will be livestreamed. Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) | Marina Donohoe | Emma Callinan | Micol Martinelli | Conor O'Donovan

🔴 LIVE NOW As the EU looks to deepen ties with Southeast Europe, today’s Science|Business Widening Conference explores how stronger #research and #innovation ecosystems can drive real integration and growth across the region. From building scientific capacity to turning collaboration into lasting impact, the discussion brings forward concrete examples of how R&I can shape the region’s European future. 🎥 Watch live: https://lnkd.in/dw9nPibw

Outcomes of the Mediterranean 🌿 Initiative - Horizon Europe work programme 2023-2024 Horizon Europe is open to researchers and innovators from all over the world. It also features specific initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation with key strategic regions.