Editing Research and Innovation

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{| class="wikitable" style="background-color:#f0f7ff; border:1px solid #1a4780; padding:10px; width:100%;"
| [[File:Information icon.svg|25px]] '''UNITA Research & Innovation Strategy:''' This document outlines the roadmap to transition from R&I Hubs into six sustainable '''European Research & Innovation Institutes (ER2I)''' by 2034.
|}

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= Title: UNITA Research & Innovation Strategy =
'''Goal:''' To structure sustainable European R&I institutes (ER2I) anchored in peripheral, cross-border, rural, and mountainous ecosystems by 2034.

== Executive Description ==
UNITA’s strategic R&I goal is to transform current thematic hubs into fully-fledged, legally and financially autonomous entities. These institutes will be central to a '''research-centered education strategy''', strengthening the Alliance’s visibility and competitiveness globally.

=== The Five Building Blocks ===
# '''Governance:''' Robust financial, legal, and administrative frameworks.
# '''Identity:''' Promoting scientific reputation through flagship transnational projects.
# '''Efficiency:''' Sharing resources and infrastructures to enable economies of scale.
# '''Ecosystems:''' Integrating local public and private stakeholders for innovation transfer.
# '''Talent:''' Enhancing attractiveness for early-stage researchers through Graduate Schools and PhD co-tutelles.

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= 1. State of the Art =

== Summary of Actions to Date ==
The foundations were laid during UNITA Phase 1 and the **Re-UNITA** project (2021–2024). Concrete achievements include:
* '''R&I Hubs:''' Establishment of six thematic hubs with dedicated co-leadership.
* '''Research Cartography:''' A database mapping 1,486 projects and activities across the alliance.
* '''Doctoral Network:''' Over 52 PhD co-tutelles launched; initiation of the '''CHORAL MSCA-COFUND''' project (42 PhD students for Cultural Heritage).
* '''Open Science:''' Development of the **U*NIGHT** project and a common Zenodo open-access platform.

== Resource Analysis (Current State) ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! Resource Category !! Status !! Details
|-
| '''Human Resources''' | ~80 staff | 12 hub co-leaders, 72 committee members, and specialized IT support.
|-
| '''Financial (E+)''' | €2.5M+ | Includes €1.2M for Starting Grants and €961k for Advanced Grants.
|-
| '''Constellation Projects''' | €6.6M+ | Re-UNITA (€2M), U*night (€395k), and CHORAL (€4.2M).
|-
| '''Infrastructure''' | Shared Catalogue | Managed by UNIZAR; cartography managed by USMB.
|}

== Difficulties Encountered ==
* '''Human Resources:''' Structuring hubs requires more staff than initially planned in Erasmus+ budgets.
* '''Engagement:''' Ongoing challenge to fully involve the broader researcher community in hub-specific identities.
* '''Policy Harmonization:''' Varying local and national legal constraints hinder unified strategy deployment.

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= 2. Context & Analysis =

== PESTEL Analysis ==



{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! Factor !! Key Aspects !! Impact on Strategy
|-
| '''Political''' | EU MFF (2028-2034) & Cohesion Policy | High potential to secure funding as "European demonstrators" of place-based innovation.
|-
| '''Economic''' | Limited local private investment in rural areas | Risk of public fund dependency; need to leverage regional specializations (Agri-tech, Green Energy).
|-
| '''Social''' | Depopulation & Brain Drain | ER2Is serve as drivers for local empowerment and youth retention.
|-
| '''Technological''' | Digital Transition (AI, Open Science) | Opportunity to lead in "Applied Rural Tech" and remote health/mobility solutions.
|-
| '''Environmental''' | EU Green Deal & Climate Adaptation | Mountain/Rural regions act as living laboratories for biodiversity and energy transition.
|-
| '''Legal''' | GDPR, Open Science mandates, IPR | Need to harmonize IPR across partners to manage innovation outcomes.
|}

== Internal Resource Analysis (Forward-Looking) ==
* '''Gaps:''' Insufficient HR for hub management; IT tools require upgrades for scientific networking; limited direct funding for specific research projects.
* '''Opportunities:''' Alignment with the **European Charter for Researchers** and **CoARA** progress; leverage "Regional Smart Specialization Strategies."

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= 3. Prioritization and Action Plan =

== Prioritization Matrix ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Action !! Feasibility !! Strategic Impact !! Priority
|-
| 1. Framework for 6 Institutes | High | High | '''High'''
|-
| 2. UNITA Scientific Identity | Medium | High | '''High'''
|-
| 3. Shared Resources/Infrastructures | Medium | Medium | '''Medium'''
|-
| 4. Transnational Ecosystems | Medium | High | '''Medium'''
|-
| 5. Early-Stage Researcher Attractiveness | High | High | '''High'''
|}

== Detailed Actions ==

=== Action 1: Financial, Legal & Admin Framework ===
* '''Goal:''' Integrate institutes within the EEIG (European Economic Interest Grouping).
* '''Timeline:''' 
** 2028-2030: Conception of realistic integration framework.
** 2030-2034: Full implementation of ER2I governance and management bodies.

=== Action 2: Scientific Identity & Collaborations ===
* '''Goal:''' Develop flagship projects that reach the most competitive European calls.
* '''Indicators:''' Number of projects supported; external funding received.

=== Action 3: Sharing Resources & Infrastructures ===
* '''Goal:''' Transition to a sustainable model where the EEIG can host/buy common infrastructures.
* '''Focus:''' Open infrastructures to local ecosystems for mutual benefit.

=== Action 4: Transnational Ecosystem Networks ===
* '''Goal:''' Incorporate local private/public stakeholders into the governance of the 6 institutes.
* '''Business Model:''' Built on private-public collaborations tailored to local needs.

=== Action 5: Early-Stage Researcher Attractiveness ===
* '''Joint Degrees:''' Aiming for 15+ joint programs by 2034, with at least 6 at the Graduate level specifically tied to the ER2Is.
* '''Strategy:''' Promoting "Mobility 4 All" at Undergraduate level while focusing on "Expertise and Differentiation" at Graduate level.
* '''Talent Pipeline:''' Use Graduate Schools and co-tutelles to recruit global top-level PhD students.

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[[Category:UNITA Strategies]]
[[Category:Research and Innovation]]
[[Category:ER2I]]