Overview

The project aims to strengthen the cooperation between the EU Member States and the Eastern European countries in the areas of Frontier and high risk research, under the Cooperation Programme of the 7 th Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development. The trans-national consortium of the project is composed of seven (7) partners originating from: Greece , France , Russian Federation , Ukraine , Belarus and Republic of Moldova.

The project consists of:

• a mapping exercise which is expected to result in a searchable database containing the profiles of active researchers and research organisations/units from the partner countries and
• a series of awareness events and activities which will aim to facilitate the collaboration between research organisations/units from EU and the above-mentioned Eastern European countries and increase participation in calls for proposals under FP7, addressed to the areas of Frontier Research.

The project initiatives will be supported throughout by the International Science and Technology Centre ( Moscow , Russian Federation) and the Ukraine Science and Technology Centre ( Kiev , Ukraine ), who both support numerous staff in emerging research areas. It is envisaged that this project will reinforce the future outreach of novel and visionary fields under FP7 in the Eastern European countries.

Objectives

Within the framework of the forthcoming FP7 the project aims to:

• Open up the novel exploratory and transnational collaborative research to the participating countries and enhance their cooperation with EU researchers and stimulate new multidisciplinary achievements.
• Inform and assist the potential partners from the Eastern European countries in FP7, particularly in the visionary research areas, its objectives, its rules and mechanisms for participation.
• Support EU researchers to find “counterparts” in the participating countries in order to formulate consortia and jointly participate in Frontier Research areas of FP7.

Activities

Activities promoting collaboration :

• Database : Within the framework of the project will take place a mapping of the national landscape in the above-mentioned countries , recording researchers/research teams and classifying them according to scientific area. The mapping results will be used for the creation of a Database, a “pool” of potential partners, containing the contact details and the scientific interests of the researchers in the Russian Federation , Ukraine , Belarus and Republic of Moldova . This Database will assist researchers from both EU and Eastern European countries in identifying counterparts. The Database will be accessible through the website, during and beyond the project's lifecycle.
• Networks: Existing tools and networks, such as CORDIS, Ideal-ist network etc., will be utilised for the benefit of all researchers.

Awareness Activities /Events:

• Information days: Five information days will be held in the Russian Federation , Ukraine , Belarus and Republic of Moldova by each of the NIS-NEST partners close to the date of the first call for proposals for novel exploratory research under FP7 in order to inform individual researchers, research organisations and policy-makers from the above countries about the relevant opportunities and procedures.
• Workshops : Each partner from the Russian Federation , Ukraine , Belarus and Republic of Moldova will organise a workshop in its premises, tailored to meet the needs of the researchers/research organisations having participated in the call for proposals under FP7, and to provide advice and support to consortia from both EU and the participating countries.
The events will focus on the 7 th Framework Programme and the calls related to the field of Frontier Research. During the events will be provided on-the-spot training regarding specific Programmes and rules on FP7, which will enable the local research community to increase its participation in projects under FP7.

Dissemination Activities:

• Website/Links. Design and development of a website including information on the latest developments of the project, as well as news, events, calls, publications, etc. related to the scientific interests of the EU and researchers from the Eastern European countries. Links to relevant projects will be provided as well.
• E-newsletter. An e-newsletter will be distributed on a quarterly basis in order to inform the appropriate target groups in both the EU and the Eastern European countries regarding the project's events and the results.
• Leaflet. A leaflet will be disseminated during the awareness events and other relevant occasions. It will give the wider public a brief comprehensive presentation of the project as well as contact details for more information/support in each country.
• Articles/announcements. Publication of articles and announcements regarding the project on CORDIS and several national web-sites to increase the visibility of the services provided.