DAY 1

8:30-9:30 Registration and welcome coffee  

9:30-10:00:Opening (MCAA representatives, Institutional representatives)

 

Day 1- Session 1 - Research Funding and the Widening Participation Agenda

Organizers/Moderators: Roxana Radu (MCAA Romania Chapter) / Andrada Lazea Stoyanova (MCAA Romania Chapter)

Abstract

This session delves into the critical aspect of research funding in Widening countries. "Widening countries" in the context of Horizon Europe regulation refers to 15 EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) that are lagging in their R&I performance compared to the EU average. Widening countries play a vital role in the European research landscape, yet they face unique challenges in securing the necessary resources to fully realize their innovation potential. This session aims to explore these challenges, highlight successful strategies, and discuss pathways towards a more equitable and impactful research funding ecosystem across Europe.

During the session, we will look at the key problems in research within Widening countries: underinvestment in R&D, limited access to funding, lack of infrastructure, fewer career opportunities, weaker participation in international networks, less experience with proposal writing, focus on Institutional Capacity Building vs. supporting top researchers, trust in Peer-Review, research culture and attitudes towards funding schemes, bureaucratic culture and institutional trust.

Following this, the discussion will address success stories from participating countries in Horizon Europe - Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence sub-program. Initiatives like the "Widening participation and spreading excellence" actions within Horizon Europe are aiming to address these disparities by fostering collaborations, upgrading research infrastructure, and supporting talent in these countries.  The session will also serve as the public introduction of the Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence sub-program, a program specifically designed to support widening countries.

The session is divided into two parts:

10:00-11:30: Bridging the Funding Gap: Cultural Perspectives and Success Strategies in Widening Countries 

10:00-10:30: "Teaming for Excellence – Shaping Vision, Powering Innovation, Building Sustainability” – Joanna Kartasiewicz

10:30-11:00: “Integrating Cultural Perspectives into Research Funding Schemes in Hungary & Romania - From Challenges to Bridging Solutions” – Dr. Szidónia Rusu

11:00-11:30: “Navigating WIDERA: Lessons from the INITIATE Project on Research Funding and Widening Participation” – Ana Daria Bokan

11:30-12:00: Coffee and networking

12:00-13:30: Addressing Challenges and Unlocking Potential in Research Funding in Widening Countries

12:00-12:30: “The challenges and opportunities behind the Horizon. Perspectives from the PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels” – Dr. Tomasz Poprawka

12:30-13:00: "European collaborative research projects – practices from experience of a returning scientist in Poland” – Dr. Maria Górna

13:00-13:30: “Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission and European Innovation Council Funding Opportunities” – Dr. Pancho Dachkinov

 Speakers:

1.       Tomasz Poprawka – Poland - Director at the Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA)

-          The mission of PolSCA - promote, facilitate and foster participation of the Polish R&D community in European projects and initiatives and in particular to reinforce Polands  position in the EU framework programs.

2.       Dr. Szidónia  Rusu - Hungary - Project Manager SkiLink Foundation and President at the Association of Hungarian PhD Students and Young Researchers of Romania (RODOSZ).

-          How to integrate the cultural perspective into Research Funding Schemes in Widening Countries? (focus on Hungary and Romania):

a.       Research culture and attitudes towards funding schemes? (how proactive are the researchers in applying for international grants?, is there a strong grant/proposal writing culture?

b.       Do researchers tend to pursue international fundings or do they prefer safer, local sources?

c.       Bureaucratic culture and institutional trust (mistrust in institutions and funding agencies, corruption, rigid or flexible rules, informal practices etc.).

d.       Social prestige of research in academia (societal status of being a researcher in Romania, Hungary, do funding systems reflect and reinforce this societal valuation, researchers are respected public figures or not? ).

3.       Dr. Maria Gorna - Poland - Leader of the Structural Biology Group, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw.

-          Success stories – European collaborative research projects (Weave, JPI AMR).

4.       Ana Daria Bokan - Croatia - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (UNIZAG-FSB) at the University of Zagreb. 

-          Success stories – WIDERA program  - project leader for the INITIATE project. 

5.       Dr. Pancho Dachkinov - Bulgaria - Assistant Professor at the Institute of Robotics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. 

-          European Innovation Council (EIC) - funding scheme, programmes for remote evaluators.

-          Shared experience from an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship applicant.

-          Blue Book traineeship at the European Commission – benefits for early stage researchers.

6.       Joanna Kartasiewicz - RMA at ICTER centre affiliated at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF PAN).

-         Operational Manager of the TRIO-VI CoE funded as Teaming for Excellence Project under Horizon Europe

13:30-14:30: Lunch and networking

Session 2 - Science Diplomacy and Policy in Central and Eastern Europe

Organizer & Moderator: Theodota Lagouri (online) and Monika Golinska (onsite) from MCAA Policy WG /  Viktor Senderov (onsite)  and  Maya Dimitrova from MCAA Bulgaria Chapter (onsite).

Abstract

This session introduces the core concepts of science diplomacy and international science–policy interfaces, with a focus on their relevance for early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs). The discussion will provide an overview of European science diplomacy frameworks, explore regional dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and open a dialogue on capacity building for researchers engaging with policy and diplomacy spaces.

In addition we will explore how scientific expertise and institutions can shape international policy to address emerging risks, from research security to frontier technologies like AI.  A key theme will be the role of researchers in governance, in particular in relation to AI: What technical and institutional frameworks—such as controls over data, compute, and talent—are needed to ensure the safe deployment of advanced technologies? How can states and scientific communities coordinate to turn these insights into effective, multilateral policies? The session aims to attract speakers that can address such big-picture items and outline the problem areas that our common efforts ought to be concentrated on in the following years.

Science Diplomacy can be understood as research – based social technology applied to the international field. It attempts to translate advanced ideas across countries on the globe in a scientific, non-ad hoc, manner. The aim is spreading peace and safety and reducing damage and suffering in any area of the world, supported by objective scientific outcomes of fundamental and applied research.

Especially challenging is designing social technology for exchange of advanced ideas horizontally - from the EU to countries, which do not currently share our values, as well as vertically – supporting the peaceful transformation from autocratic to democratic social systems and technologies for influence within the society. Both aspects are of crucial significance currently for Central and East Europe countries and their neighbors.

Science Diplomacy can be a personal experience, too. And often the positive energy of the researchers drives the development of the society towards the aims of Science Diplomacy. Without introspecting on our role in this process, the outcomes of our efforts can be chaotic or unforeseen. The speakers in this session will share personal experiences on their involvement in science diplomacy within physics, chemistry, mathematics and agriculture.

Key Topics

• What is science diplomacy? (Science in diplomacy, diplomacy for science, science for diplomacy)
• Why it matters for researchers and institutions in today’s global context
• European-level actors and mechanisms supporting science diplomacy
• Regional dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe: challenges and opportunities
• How EMCRs can engage with science-policy interfaces and build capacity
• Interactive reflection on personal and institutional roles in science diplomacy

14:30-15:30: Building Foundations in Science Diplomacy: European and CEE Perspectives for Researchers

14:30–14:35: Welcome & Session Introduction

14:35–14:45: "European Science Diplomacy Landscape” – Prof.Jean-Christophe Mauduit

14:45–14:55: “Science Diplomacy in the CEE Region: Challenges and Emerging Initiatives” – Alessandro Lombardo

14:55–15:05: “Why Science Diplomacy Matters for EMCRs” – Prof. Paweł Rowiński, President of ALLEA | Polish Academy of Sciences 

15:05–15:25: Discussion & Q&A: Engaging EMCRs in Science Diplomacy - All speakers

15:25–15:30: Closure Reflections

15:30-16:00: Coffee break & networking

16:00-17:00: Science Diplomacy and Policy: Responding to Global Challenges - Tom David, Michał Kubiak.

17:00-18:00: Science Diplomacy in Action: Success Stories: Monika Golinska, Bela Fiser, Dunja Samec, Tamás Beke-Somfai, Sureyya Akyuz.

Speakers

1. Jean-Christophe Mauduit, Associate Professor of Science Diplomacy at University College London, UK and EU Science Diplomacy Alliance 

2. Prof. Paweł Rowiński, President of ALLEA | Polish Academy of Sciences (ALLEA/PAN)

3. Alessandro Lombardo (CEI & EUSDA)

4. Monika Golinska (Poland) MCAA Policy WG - Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz “Returning to Research: A Journey Off the Beaten Track”

5. Bela Fiser (Hungary), MCAA Hungary Chapter, University of Miskolc, Hungary & University of Lodz, Poland “At the Crossroads of Science and Borders: A Researcher’s Journey in Central Europe”

6. Dunja Samec (Croatia) “Science Diplomacy in the Agrifood Sector - How Can We Help?”

7. Tamás Beke-Somfai (Hungary), MCAA Hungary Chapter, Hungarian Young Academy, HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network: "Bottom-up Science Diplomacy with Synergism: Joining efforts of MC mentorship with the Hungarian Young Academy initiatives to Improve States of Early-Career Researchers"

8. Sureyya Akyuz (Türkiye) MCAA Career Development WG - Bahçeşehir University, Department of Mathematics, Istanbul “Fostering Global Careers: The Role of Science Diplomacy in Supporting Early-Career Researchers”

9. Tom David, President of the General Purpose AI Policy Lab, Paris: online

10.  Michał Kubiak, AI Policy Officer  

DAY 2

Session 3 - Brain Drain / Brain Gain in Central and Eastern Europe

Organizer & Moderator: James Jennings (MCAA Austria Chapter), MCAA Career Development WG 

Abstract

Attracting, supporting, and retaining research talent remains a major challenge for universities and research institutions. Effective solutions call for strong collaboration among multiple stakeholders—including welcome centers, international offices, research support services, career development units, and HR departments, among others. In this part of the meeting, we aim to explore different strategies and share diverse experiences related to this issue.

Feedback from researchers in many countries across the region often returns similar responses including the perceived lack of institutional support, disfavouring of non-native speakers, and opacity of career progression milestones.

The session aims to invite broad opinions from research services and academics to engage in a dialogue on nurturing inclusive, competitive, and resilient scientific ecosystems in the CEE region.

The talks and discussions will take a practical approach, focusing on key questions such as:

• How do universities and research organizations successfully engage with international research talent?

• How can the region respond to the potential outflow of scientific talent from the US and other regions in with politically-driven research cuts?

• How can talent be retained in light of national budget cuts to countries within the region?

10:00-11:30: Initiatives from the Central and Eastern Europe  region

10:00 - 10:20: Doctoral Training in Poland: How Legal Frameworks Shape Scientific Capacity and Support Brain Gain

                      Aneta Fraser, M.A. (Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates, KRD)
                      Paulina Graczyk, M.A. (Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates, KRD)

10:20 - 10:40: From Welcome to Goodbye: Postdocs’ journeys to, at and from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) – perspectives from a young research institute in Central Europe

                      Boris Cesnik (Institute of Science and Technology Austria, ISTA)

10:40 - 11:00: Researcher mobility in Hungary: perspectives from DOSZ

                      Norbert Bencze, The Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates

11:00 - 11:20: Talent circulation: From policy to services

                      Karla Zimanova or colleague (SAIA, Slovakia)

11:20-11:50: Coffee and networking

11:50-13:00: Final talk and panel discussion

11:50 - 12:10: Turning brain drain into brain circulation: the past, the present and the future of Polonium Foundation

                      Kuba Orlowski, MCAA Poland Chapter & The Polonium Foundation, Poland

12:10 - 13:00: Panel discussion

13:00-13:30: Closure

13:30-14:30: Lunch and networking

Speakers

1.  Aneta Fraser, M.A. (Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates, KRD)

2.  Paulina Graczyk, M.A. (Polish National Association of Doctoral Candidates, KRD)

3.  Boris Cesnik (Institute of Science and Technology Austria, ISTA)

4.  Norbert Bencze, The Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates

5.  Karla Zimanova or colleague (SAIA, Slovakia)

6.  Kuba Orlowski, MCAA Poland Chapter & The Polonium Foundation, Poland