Abstract

The EU's Horizon Europe funding programme for research and innovation intends to intensify cooperation with international community, extend association agreements to include countries with excellent science, technology and innovation capacities, as well as answer to global challenges and commitments. Nearly all legal entities are eligible to participate in EU funded RDI projects and many countries outside the EU are also eligible for funding. Building large consortia involving EU and international partners requires specific skills and knowledge not only from project researchers but also from project support. This could increase the need to develop the existing expertise and acquire new skills.

In Discussion Tables, we introduce the different ways how international partners can join EU funded RDI projects. We then facilitate the discussion on the following questions and topics:

1) How to increase the involvement of third countries (e.g., associated countries, low and middle-income countries)?
2) What are the legal aspects that need to be considered when including international partners in EU projects? These might relate to e.g. national legislation and EU Grant Agreement requirements.
3) What type of competence and soft skills are required from project members and project support personnel already at the consortium building and proposal stage? These can relate to e.g. understanding funding requirements, legal knowledge and cultural sensitivity.
4) How to train and share knowledge with new international partners, who are new to EU rules and terminology, to ensure smooth start and running of the project.
5) Any other topics that come up in Discussion Tables.

Outcome of this Discussion Table is that the participants would recognise the different aspects related to supporting the internationalisation of EU funded RDI projects. Furthermore, they become aware of the type of proficiency and knowledge that is required of them, and could start considering how they could acquire these skills.