Opportunities for Social Sciences and Humanities – Horizon Europe (Cluster 2 & SSH integration) and beyond

As the European Union is currently facing many complex challenges, the role of social sciences and humanities (SSH) is crucial to understand rapid and structural transformations of the European societies and to prepare evidence-based policy responses.

To foster the role of SSH, the EU issued several programs and grant schemes supporting researchers, innovators and civil organizations engaged in social sciences and humanities, including a special place for SSH in Horizon Europe, the biggest research and innovation program of the EU.

Gender Equality Plan – How to develop and implement a Gender Equality Plan in a research institution?

The European Union undertakes a number of activities to promote gender equality in the research, innovation and higher education (R&I, HE) sectors. An example of this is the strengthening of the ‘gender equality’ aspects in the EU framework program – Horizon Europe, which is the largest instrument for financing research and innovation in Europe.

PolSCA Office among initiators of joint statement of support for the academic and research community of Ukraine

The Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA) of the Polish Academy of Sciences is among initiators and the first signatories of joint statement of support for the academic and research community of Ukraine by Brussels-based research & innovation liaison offices. The statement is being brought forward by R&I contact offices, who are close to Ukraine geographically and who share with it the dark pages of violent past of the 20th century.

The international “Stick to science” campaign with the support of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA !

Representatives of the European research community initiated the Stick do Science campaign addressed to the governments of Great Britain, Switzerland and the European Union to highlight the need for scientific cooperation independent of political divisions and to enable the participation of Great Britain and Switzerland in the Horizon Europe program.

SUMMARY: The Information event on hydrogen with and for Visegrad four contries. Searching for syngergies.

The information event on hydrogen with and for Visegrad Four countries was organized by the Brussels based liaison offices of the V4 countries the National Research Development and Innovation Office of Hungary (NRDIO), the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO), the Polish Science Contact Agency of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PolSCA) and the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD) on 8 February 2022. The online event was attended by almost 200 participants.

EU Missions – How to solve major societal challenges?

The most pressing challenges that we face nowadays need coordinated, transnational efforts to be identified, tackled, and solved. Hence, the engagement of stakeholders at all levels – researchers, entrepreneurs, citizens, and policy makers – is crucial to achieve the synergy effect necessary to invent and implement the tailored-made solutions.

The European Commission has identified five societal challenges that need to be addressed – adapting to climate change, fighting cancer, living in greener cities, protecting the ocean, seas, and waters, and ensuring healthy soil and food – and has prepared a cross sectoral actions (within the framework of Horizon Europe) to overcome them – EU Missions.

The Cancer Mission in Horizon Europe and the European Plan against Cancer – Will it be possible to save 3 million people from cancer?

In mid-November, the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Brussels, together with the representative office of the National Center for Research and Development in Brussels, organized a webinar on the Cancer Mission in Horizon Europe and the European Plan against Cancer.

European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) – what does it offer and why is it worth taking part in COST Actions?

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) supports international cooperation in the field of research carried out under national programs. We recommend our guide introducing development in COST Actions – the next submission date will be on October 29!

Gender equality plans. The Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA Guide

Scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) are introducing gender equality plans (GEPs). Departments entrusted with the preparation of these documents will find help in the guidebook prepared by the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Brussels. Implementing gender equality plans in research institution will soon be mandatory for applicants in competitions of the Horizon Europe, including MSCA and ERC.

European Biodiversity Partnership. New funds for research

On October 5, 2021, a webinar entitled European Biodiversity Partnership. New funds for research was hosted by the Polish Science Contact Agency of the PAS (PolSCA) in Brussels and the National Science Centre, Poland. The webinar took place a few days after the official establishment of the European co-funded Partnership on Biodiversity under Horizon Europe, which as the successor of the BiodivERsA network took over the name of Biodiversa +.