| Summary: |
The BOOST project addresses the critical need to enhance the Research and Innovation capacities and competitiveness of Widening Countries in Europe by fostering collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors.
Numerous Widening Countries continue to perform worse than more established EU Member States in terms of innovation capacity, according to the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS). Countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, and Latvia, for instance, are frequently classified as "Modest Innovators," meaning that their levels of innovation performance fall short of 50% of the EU average. The differences in R&I capability across Europe are further exacerbated by the fact that less than 20% of academics from Widening Countries are involved in significant EU-funded initiatives, as highlighted in the European Research Area (ERA) plan.
By promoting cross-sector collaboration, boosting entrepreneurial capabilities, and elevating research excellence, the BOOST project seeks to overcome these inequities. The emphasis is on creating specialized training curricula and resources that bolster the human capital foundation of expanding nations and improve researchers' employability via international mobility and industrial collaboration. |
| Results: |
BOOST addresses the urgent need to
enhance the research and innovation
capacities of Europe’s widening
countries by fostering collaboration
between academic and non-academic
sectors. The project aims to promote
cross-sector collaboration, boost
entrepreneurial skills, and elevate
research excellence. It focuses on
developing specialized training programs
that enhance the human capital in these
countries and improve researchers' |
| Observations: |
The BOOST project aims to strengthen
the R&I human capital base in Widening
Countries by developing more
entrepreneurial and well-trained
researchers, innovators, and research
managers. It will enhance R&I support
capacity in both academic and nonacademic
organizations, fostering
innovation and collaboration across
sectors. Additionally, BOOST will
facilitate structured mobility programs
and career development plans to create a
balanced geographical and cross-sectoral
talent circulation. The project will also
increase access for private entities to
public research institutions and their
advanced infrastructures, promoting
stronger engagement between industry
and research groups. |