The European Commission organised a five-day study visit to Austria from 7 to 11 September 2026, bringing together 18 representatives from the Republic of Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to explore national policies, frameworks and practical approaches to strengthening science-business links (SBLs) and knowledge valorisation in Austria.

The delegation of the Republic of Moldova was composed of representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the National Agency for Research and Development (NARD), the Technical University of Moldova and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova. The participation of institutions representing public authorities, academia, research, Horizon Europe support structures and the business sector provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and identify approaches relevant to strengthening cooperation between research and business in Moldova.

The study visit aimed to foster science-business links in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Partner countries and increase private companies' participation in Horizon Europe. More broadly, it provided an opportunity to examine how research results can be brought closer to the market and how public policy, funding and support structures can create stronger links between the research and business sectors.

The delegation examined Austria's policy and implementation frameworks for promoting science-business collaboration, with a focus on upscaling knowledge valorisation capacities and activities in the context of the European Research Area (ERA) structural policies for 2025–2027.

The programme combined policy-level exchanges with practical examples from Austrian funding agencies, universities, research organisations and companies, allowing participants to follow the science-business collaboration pathway from policy design and public support through to the commercialisation of research results and participation in collaborative research and innovation (R&I) projects.

Policy frameworks and institutional support

Participants engaged in discussions with the three Austrian Federal Ministries responsible for research and innovation: the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET), and the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF). In addition, the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) presented its approach to science diplomacy and international research and innovation cooperation.

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) presented its funding instruments and support mechanisms for science-business collaboration, including support services for Horizon Europe applicants and the work of the Austrian National Contact Point (NCP) network. These exchanges provided practical insights into how companies and research organisations can be supported in identifying opportunities, building partnerships and developing competitive European R&I projects.

The Austrian Council for Sciences, Technology and Innovation (FORWIT) presented its structure and activities, including its role in monitoring Austria's R&I system. Participants were also introduced to FORWIT's monitoring dashboard and indicators related to science-business collaboration.

Business participation and Horizon Europe

A significant part of the programme focused on the experience of Austrian companies in European research and innovation cooperation. Companies including FREQUENTIS AG, TTTECH COMPUTERTECHNIK AG, Infineon, AVL List GmbH and AT&S shared practical insights into their participation in Horizon Europe and collaboration with research organisations.

The companies presented their experience of preparing and implementing Horizon Europe projects and discussed how European R&I cooperation contributes to their research, technology development and innovation activities. These discussions offered participants from the EaP countries concrete examples of how businesses can engage with research organisations and European funding opportunities.

The delegation also took part in the FFG Forum, where participants met Austrian innovation stakeholders and exchanged views on competitiveness, investment readiness and innovation ecosystems. A targeted discussion with INVEST in AUSTRIA of the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) focused on Austria as a research and business location and on the role of investment-promotion services in supporting innovative companies.

Universities, research organisations and knowledge valorisation

Participants explored best practices in science-business collaboration at leading Austrian research and higher education institutions, including Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) and the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK).

The discussions covered how these institutions organise research support and industry engagement, facilitate participation in Horizon Europe, develop technology-transfer and spin-off pathways, and translate research results into practical applications and market opportunities.

At TU Wien, participants combined discussions on research management and industry partnerships with visits to research and innovation facilities, including the Pilot Factory, the Center for AI and Machine Learning, the Innovation Incubation Center and the Technikum.

At the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), participants examined how basic research can be connected with knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship and commercialisation. The visit included the "Science in the making" exhibition at the VISTA Science Experience Center, illustrating approaches to science communication and public engagement. This was followed by an exchange at XISTA Innovation on technology transfer and support for science-based spin-offs and ventures.

At the AI:AT Factory, participants explored approaches to trustworthy artificial intelligence, including legal, regulatory, ethical and compliance aspects. The programme also featured presentations by Infineon, AVL List GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute, as well as pitches by the start-ups QBDC, Zenta and Flexam.

European cooperation and the Ukrainian research and innovation ecosystem

The Representation of the European Commission to Austria presented its current strategies and communication activities related to the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 and the European Semester reports.

Participants also learned more about Austrian support for the Ukrainian research and innovation ecosystem. The programme provided an opportunity to discuss initiatives supporting the resilience of Ukrainian research and innovation and its closer integration into European cooperation frameworks. The International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine was also presented by the European Commission.

Peer learning and opportunities for future cooperation

Throughout the five-day programme, peer learning remained central. Participants exchanged experiences and identified approaches that could be relevant for strengthening science-business links in the EaP Partner countries.

For the Republic of Moldova, the study visit provided an opportunity to gain practical insights into Austria's mechanisms for connecting research, innovation and business, while also strengthening contacts with Austrian institutions and organisations working in these areas. The exchanges may support further development of knowledge-valorisation activities, increased private-sector engagement and stronger participation of Moldovan organisations and companies in Horizon Europe.

The programme also created opportunities for participants to establish new contacts and explore potential partnerships, including with a view to future joint Horizon Europe applications. These connections, together with the practical examples presented during the visit, can contribute to further cooperation between research organisations, universities, businesses and public institutions across the participating countries.

The study visit highlighted Austria's integrated approach to supporting science-business collaboration, combining policy frameworks, research and innovation funding, dedicated support services, university and research-industry engagement, knowledge valorisation and direct participation of businesses in collaborative R&I projects.

Silvia Bojinova, Team Leader for Interinstitutional and Multilateral Relations, Unit 0.3 "International Cooperation – Europe and Americas", Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, coordinated the study visit. The visit was organised with the support of the Global Service Facility, with ZSI and Civitta contributing to its preparation and on-site delivery.

The on-site GSF team included Gorazd Weiss and Inese Gavarane (ZSI), Ivanna Didur and Iryna Sheremeta (Civitta), with additional organisational support provided by Nazar Pavlyuk (Civitta). Diariyana Diallo (WMH Project) supported travel and accommodation arrangements.

PARC, the EU partnership for the risk assessment of chemicals, is organizing the 4th SSbD Boot Camp, in Athens (Greece), from 21 to 23 October 2026. The event will bring together participants interested in applying the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework in practical research and innovation contexts. The programme will focus on key aspects of SSbD, such as scoping analysis, molecular redesign, early screening, and decision making.

For more information and how to apply for the 4th SSbD Boot Camp organized by PARC, please visit the official website and complete the application form by August 31, 2026. Applications will be evaluated by field experts and decisions on successful applicants will be announced via email by the end of August/beginning of September 2026. Participation in the PARC SSbD Boot Camp is free of charge. However, participants are responsible for covering their travel and accommodation expenses. 

Universities and research institutions in Hungary are offering hosting opportunities for researchers interested in preparing and submitting proposals under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 (MSCA PF 2026) call.

Researchers from the Republic of Moldova are eligible to apply, as MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline. As a general rule, they should have no more than eight years of research experience after obtaining their PhD and must comply with the mobility rule established under the programme.

The available hosting offers cover a wide range of research fields, including:

• artificial intelligence, language models, data science and digital transformation;
• bioinformatics, microbiology, genomics and antimicrobial resistance;
• quantum chemistry, molecular simulations and drug design;
• renewable energy, smart grids and energy storage;
• immunology, autoimmune diseases and the complement system;
• psychology, neuropsychology and digital tools for neurorehabilitation;

The project proposal is jointly prepared by the researcher and the host organisation in Hungary, together with the prospective scientific supervisor. Interested researchers are encouraged to review the available offers, identify the organisation and research team that best match their field of expertise, and contact the prospective supervisor well in advance to begin developing the proposal.

Further details about the host organisations, research fields, scientific supervisors and contact information are available here.

The European Commission, on 20.07.2026, adopted the European Research Council (ERC) Work Programme 2027, setting out the funding opportunities, grant budgets, competition timetable and application rules for the coming year.  
Established by the ERC Scientific Council and formally adopted by the Commission, the Work Programme introduces a few changes to the ERC's grant schemes and application rules that were announced earlier this year to give researchers time to prepare. 
Among the key changes are broader eligibility windows for Starting and Consolidator Grants, as well as limits on the number of proposals researchers may submit under a single work programme. The changes aim to reflect increasingly diverse research careers while helping to maintain a fair and efficient evaluation process.  
The first competition under the new Work Programme will be the ERC Starting Grant 2027 call, which opens on 22 July 2026. It will be followed by the other ERC grant competitions: Consolidator Grant, Synergy Grant, Advanced Grant as well as the ERC Plus Grant.  

More info
ERC Work Programme 2027
Applying for an ERC grant in the 2027 competitions: what you need to know
ERC Scientific Council readjusts rules for reapplication

A new EU platform designed to support innovators and startups across Europe launched at the European Innovation Summit in Brussels last month. Developed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the EU Innovation Platform is a central entry point for innovators seeking support to bring their ideas closer to the market.

Developed in the context of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, which aims to streamline existing EU innovation support services and digital tools, the EU Innovation Platform also contributes to the broader ambition of creating a more connected European innovation ecosystem. It seeks to bring resources together in one place through a more streamlined and user-friendly approach.

The key feature of the EU innovation Platform is an intelligent recommendation engine which is based on EU innovations' needs, sector, geographical location and maturity level. It connects registered users with relevant available services, news, events, or funding opportunities.

For the time being, the EU Innovation Platform is targeted at EU-funded innovators that have benefitted from EU funding support, and that have an ambition to successfully go to market, create jobs and ultimately contribute to improving EU’s competitiveness. In the coming months the Platform will open to EU innovators, business advisory services, investors, corporates, to name a few.