Empowering Widening universities in EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium to foster academic excellence in Health

Challenges in Health require integration of knowledge and communication between specialists from different health-related fields to develop effective solutions. The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, a EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium initiative, aims to create a novel and innovative framework for the integrative academic management of health-related scientific areas, facilitating changes in the academic landscape within the European research area, through a comprehensive institutional transformation. The project targets three Widening countries (Romania, Slovenia, Portugal) of the consortium, that have traditionally lagged behind in health-related domains, striving to overcome funding and publication disparities, and spearheading academic excellence and innovation in these critical domains. Therefore, the project aims to empower institutional transformation by strengthening health-related R&I management capacity, upgrading and adapting R&I management strategies and policies within Widening HEIs of the project consortium in line with the principles of the European research assessment reform. A health-focused R&I network within EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium will be established through Connected Health Research Communities, that will receive inter/transdisciplinary trainings, research mobilities for early-career researchers and seed-funding for research collaborations, all centered around health-related challenges. By employing integrative, transdisciplinary approaches and implementing flexible academic career pathways in Health, the project focuses on creating a Health innovation ecosystem bridging the Health research communities to society, business partners, and policymakers by mainstreaming Open/Citizen/Inclusive/Collaborative Science practices and translating research into tailored social innovation supported solutions. EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, through its comprehensive activities, will positively impact the R&I achievements, research excellence, international visibility, funding absorption rate of the Widening consortium HEIs and of entire EUTOPIA_HEALTH consortium.

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project is of key importance for scientific development in higher education institutions in EU enlargement countries, as it promotes an inclusive and competitive research environment in line with the priorities of the European Research Area (ERA). This increases the international visibility of these institutions and improves their competitiveness in obtaining international research funding, such as Horizon Europe, ERC, and NIH. An important achievement of the project is the introduction of a new institutional framework for research and innovation (R&I) management that strengthens research excellence, particularly in health-related disciplines. The focus is on research that enables the transfer of basic research into innovative health products and services. The strategic objective of integrating citizen science increases trust in science and promotes responsible research practices. The project also has economic significance as it promotes innovative growth, an increase in the number of spin-off companies, and the granting of patents. Stronger cooperation between universities and businesses leads to more research results being transferred to industry. By developing science-based policies in the areas of environmental, mental, and nutritional health, the project also contributes to improving public health. This raises awareness and understanding of key health issues among decision-makers and contributes to a better quality of life in the wider European area. The project thus has a long-term impact on health policymaking in Europe.

The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project is of exceptional importance for Slovenia's development, as it strengthens the research capacity of Slovenian higher education institutions, especially those participating in the consortium. Alignment with the priorities of the European Research Area (ERA) enables Slovenian universities to position themselves more competitively in the global research arena. This increases the visibility of Slovenian research institutions and improves their access to international funding such as Horizon Europe, ERC, and NIH, enabling greater financial support for research projects in Slovenia. The project introduces a new institutional framework for research and innovation (R&I) management, which will enable the Slovenian research sector to conduct research more effectively, particularly in health-related disciplines. In addition, the project promotes the integration of citizen science, which increases public trust in scientific research, strengthens citizen involvement in research processes, and encourages responsible and transparent implementation of scientific projects. This will also enable better policy-making and greater support for scientific research from wider society. Economically, the project will contribute to innovative growth by promoting the growth of health spin-off companies and a higher number of patents, which means greater commercialization of research results. Stronger cooperation between Slovenian universities and the business sector will help transfer research into market-oriented solutions, which will contribute to economic development and the creation of new jobs in Slovenia. In addition, the project will contribute to the development of improved health policies in Slovenia and raise the profile of Slovenia as a country that promotes research and innovation, strengthening its position in the international scientific and economic arena. This will have a positive impact on the development of the Slovenian economy, healthcare, and society at large.