Research and Innovation
UNITA Research & Innovation Strategy Roadmap to European Research & Innovation Institutes (ER2I) · 2028–2034
Transitioning thematic hubs into sustainable, autonomous institutes anchored in mountainous and rural ecosystems.
🏛️ The Vision: ER2I 2034[edit | edit source]
By 2034, UNITA will move beyond temporary project groups to establish **six sustainable European Research & Innovation Institutes (ER2I)**. These will be:
- ⚖️ **Autonomous:** Legally and financially independent entities within the UNITA EEIG.
- 🏔️ **Place-Based:** Drivers for innovation in peripheral and cross-border regions.
- 🎓 **Research-Led:** The core engine for UNITA’s Graduate Schools and PhD programs.
🔍 1. State of the Art[edit | edit source]
Current Achievements:
- **6 Thematic Hubs** active with co-leadership.
- **1,486 projects** mapped in the Research Cartography.
- **52+ PhD co-tutelles** and the **CHORAL** project (42 PhDs).
- Common **Open Science** platform on Zenodo.
Critical Gaps:
- **Staffing:** Hub management requires more HR than current budgets allow.
- **Engagement:** Need for deeper researcher identity within the hubs.
- **Legal:** National constraints hinder unified IPR and strategy deployment.
🌐 2. Strategic Context[edit | edit source]
PESTEL Analysis[edit | edit source]
- 🏛️ Political
- EU MFF (2028-34) support for "European demonstrators" of innovation.
- 📈 Economic
- Risk of public dependency; need to leverage Agri-tech and Green Energy.
- 👥 Social
- ER2Is as drivers for youth retention and reversing rural brain drain.
- 🤖 Technological
- Leading in "Applied Rural Tech" and remote health solutions.
- 🌱 Environmental
- Mountain regions as "Living Labs" for climate adaptation.
- ⚖️ Legal
- Complexity in harmonizing Intellectual Property (IPR) across partners.
🚀 3. Action Plan[edit | edit source]
🏗️ Action 1: Governance & Legal Framework[edit | edit source]
- **Goal:** Integrate institutes within the UNITA EEIG.
- **2028-30:** Conception of the integration framework.
- **2030-34:** Full implementation of ER2I management bodies.
🧪 Action 2: Scientific Identity & Talent[edit | edit source]
- **Flagships:** Develop high-competition projects for European calls.
- **Joint Degrees:** Aiming for 15+ joint programs (6 at Graduate level).
- **Pipeline:** Use the **CHORAL** model to recruit global top-tier PhD talent.
[edit | edit source]
- **Infrastructure:** Sustainable model for EEIG to host common scientific tools.
- **Stakeholders:** Incorporate local private/public actors into ER2I governance.
📈 4. R&I Performance Indicators[edit | edit source]
Indicator Focus Areas:
- **ER2I Autonomy:** Legal status achievement (Target: 6 Institutes).
- **PhD Excellence:** Number of active co-tutelles and MSCA candidates.
- **External Funding:** Revenue generated from competitive EU calls (Horizon Europe/MFF).