Mission

A4L_BRIDGE focuses on bridging the gap in R&I by enhancing the capabilities of research institutions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We seek to achieve this through sustainable institutional reforms, modernisation of research career frameworks, and fostering interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. Our mission aligns with the European Research Area (ERA) policy agenda and supports national and regional systems in implementing transformative processes that elevate research excellence and innovation capacity in Widening countries.

Objectives

• Establishing Foundations for Sustainable Institutional Reforms
  • We aim to promote strategic changes in research assessment systems at both the institutional and national levels. This will be achieved by aligning with the commitments of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) to create a robust and sustainable research environment.
• Modernising Research Careers Framework
  • The project will implement comprehensive career development policies through a combination of e-learning modules, physical training sessions, and targeted activities. These will be tailored to support the professional growth of both academic and non-academic staff across all career stages.
• Advancing Health Research through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • A4L_BRIDGE will leverage open access to research infrastructure, provide seed funding for small collaborative research projects, and establish a Virtual Research Centre. These initiatives are designed to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and increase the societal impact of health research.
• Strengthening Industry Partnerships
  • We will establish an “Industry Relationship Platform” to facilitate the translation of health research findings into practical applications. This platform aims to reinforce the role of universities as key drivers of innovation within national R&I ecosystems.
• Promoting and Disseminating Results at Multiple Levels
  • The project will disseminate the outcomes of Alliance4Life activities across regional, national, and European levels, engaging high-level decision-makers, policy actors, end-users of health research, and the general public. Our efforts will advocate for the core values of the ERA and promote their adoption across the CEE R&I landscape.

Impact

The A4L_BRIDGE project sets the stage for a more cohesive European R&I ecosystem by elevating institutional excellence and fostering a culture of innovation. Through our targeted initiatives, we aim to bridge existing gaps, enhance collaboration, and support the transformation of the CEE region into a thriving hub of research and innovation excellence.