Institute of Fundamental Technological Research PAN

The Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN) is one of the largest technical institutes within the Polish Academy of Sciences. It brings together a team of outstanding researchers and high-level specialists committed to advancing scientific and technological knowledge for the benefit of society. With a strong focus on cutting-edge research and recognized scientific achievements, the Institute actively fosters cooperation between the academic world and key sectors of the economy.

As the coordinator of the project, IPPT PAN plays a central role in overseeing its implementation, guiding strategic directions, and ensuring smooth collaboration among partners. Backed by extensive research experience and a solid institutional infrastructure, the Institute ensures that the project meets the highest scientific and organizational standards.

  Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información

The Regional Government (GOBCAN) is represented by the Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información (ACIISI) which belongs to the Regional Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture. ACIISI is the regional agency in charge of the support of the research and innovation in the Canary Islands. ACIISI works hand in hand with Regional Universities, public research centres, companies and social organisation (professional associations, NGO´s, clusters.) that perform research and innovation actions.

The Agency is also in charge of funding and implementing directly research and innovation policies and actions with the quadruple helix regional ecosystem, among others the implementation of the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy, support the creation and structural management of regional research centres and the coordination of other public and private research centres. The ACIISI also manage different funding programs including R&D&I staff (innovation agents, pre and postdoc researchers) in public and private institutions. Additionally, ACIISI contribute to the Internationalisation of the Canarian institutions through out the direct participation as partner in national, European and international research and innovation consortia.

 Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea

APRE (Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea) is a non-profit research organization founded in 1989 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and other public and private bodies. It supports Italian participation in European research and innovation programs, providing expertise in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and training.

With over 160 members, APRE facilitates collaboration between public and private stakeholders in Italy’s R&I community. It offers information, training, and assistance to help researchers and innovators leverage European funding opportunities.  As the host organization for Italy's National Contact Points (NCPs) across all sectors of the EU's research programmes, APRE has extensive experience supporting Italian participation in the Seventh Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe.

Through a network of NCPs in over 130 countries, APRE ensures international cooperation and capacity building. APRE specializes in developing and delivering training on European R&I programs, including Horizon Europe. APRE training is UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 certified. Its training portfolio includes over 30 expert trainers and 32 training modules covering project design, management, and thematic insights to help stakeholders successfully navigate Horizon Europe. In addition to its training expertise, APRE specializes in stakeholder engagement by connecting Italy's R&I community with international networks through brokerage events, information days, and co-creation processes. This fosters collaboration and ensures broad participation in addressing R&I challenges. 

 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, https://www.csic.es/en/csic) is a State Agency for scientific research and technological development, with a special legal status, functional and managerial autonomy, and full legal capacity. Research in the CSIC is structured in three main areas, SOCIETY, LIFE AND MATERIA, which cover most of the disciplines, with almost 1.800 research groups and more than 120 centres. It is one of the largest research institution in Europe, and the main technology transfer entity in Spain. In the Canary Islands, CSIC has several centers, being the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC, La Laguna, Tenerife) the first to be created in the Islands (https://ipna.csic.es/en). Today it presents different disciplines, such as Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, Agrobiology, Ecology and Evolution in Islands, Vulcanology, Air Quality, and Sociology. It also works closely with the other Centers, devoted to Oceanography, Geology, and Agrobiology, and with the two public Universities and other Research Institutions in the Islands. It also cooperates closely with the Canary Island`s Agency for Research, Innovation and Development (ACIISI) in different activities to enhance science implementation and outreach, and result transfer to society.

    Europa Media 

Europa Media is an independent non-profit SME with 20+ years of experience in EU project management, capacity building, and communication. With a strong track record in EU funding training, including dissemination, communication and exploitation, for over 10,000 professionals, Europa Media supports the project’s ambition to bridge the research-to-impact gap and strengthen the innovation capacity across the European Research Area.

 Regional Science and Technology Fund

The Regional Science and Technology Fund (FRCT) is a public body of the Regional Government of the Azores, with administrative and financial autonomy, dedicated to promoting, developing, and internationalising the Research and Innovation (R&I) Ecosystem of the Azores. Its mission aligns with the strategic priorities of the Regional Government and is structured around two main pillars:
Pillar I – Supporting Advanced Training: FRCT manages the PRO-SCIENTIA Incentive System, providing grants and support for scientific research and advanced academic training in the region.
Pillar II – Internationalization: FRCT plays a key role in promoting the Azores’ participation in European programmes and international projects, ensuring coordination, communication, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge transfer across the regional R&I ecosystem.
FRCT aims to be a reference point in the internationalisation of Azorean research, contributing to the region’s sustainable economic development through science and innovation.

  ICONS

ICONS boosts research impacts on society via public communication, social and business innovation. 

ICONS is a key strategic partner in EU-funded Research & Innovation projects. We specialize in designing and implementing communication, dissemination, social and business innovation strategies, while measuring their impact through innovative indicators. 

Since our founding in 1999, we have successfully contributed to over 130 EU-funded projects and various service contracts for the European Commission, among them the Horizon Results Booster, the EU flagship initiative by DG Research, acknowledging ICONS’ long-lasting experience. ICONS also supports philanthropic projects actively promoting the creation of a new cultural development model involving citizens, companies, public authorities and society at large.

 Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) is the national authority responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing Tunisia’s policies in higher education and scientific research. The Ministry plays a central role in shaping a dynamic and inclusive academic and research landscape across the country.

Core missions of the Ministry include:

• Develop and implement the policy of higher education and scientific research providing the right of access to university for every graduate secondary school student.
• Monitor the activities of universities, higher education and research institutions, as well as research structures, opening up for students the gate of knowledge and the advancement of their career.
• Supervise the academic life of the students for further progress and prosperity, it coordinates the activities of the offices of the university works.
• Coordinate and monitor international cooperation actions in higher education and scientific research to strengthen the integration of Tunisia into the global economy.

The Ministry oversees a wide network of public and private universities, research centers, laboratories, and innovation hubs, ensuring quality standards and alignment with Tunisia’s strategic priorities. It is committed to advancing scientific excellence, promoting innovation-driven growth, and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and civil society.

Tunisia’s association to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme in 2016 marked a historic milestone, making it the first African and Arab country to enjoy a full association status. Since then, the Ministry has implemented the Unit for the Management of EU R&I Programmes, coordinating the national network of Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) and programme committee delegates, thus ensuring Tunisia’s active participation in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

    META Group

META Group (META) operates internationally to shape knowledge-based opportunities accompanying them from the idea to the start-up and scale-up stages.

Today, the company is leader in driving research results funded by the EC's Framework Programmes into to use, with over 1.600 consortia supported at any TRL and over 500 companies, accompanied to private investors.

Since 1993, META is providing technical assistance to innovation ecosystem players in designing and implementing Regional Innovation Strategies and supports DG Regio and DG Grow in the field of Smart Specialisation Strategies and Interregional Investment partnerships S3P.

Thanks assignments completed in EU and direct daily contacts with R&D performers and innovation actors META has access to a wide network of intermediary organisations dealing with SMEs, start-ups and use of R&D results (EBN, INSME, APRE, BAE, EURADA, etc.) and can count on over 20,000 direct contacts and on a reach out of 200,000 companies and start-ups internationally.

Moreover, META has links to venture capital funds through META Ventures (MV). META’s staff, collaborating with MV, gained over 15 years of experience in public-private funds and financial instruments.

The Group has offices in Italy, Belgium, Slovenia and Poland.

International Networks

• EBN (European Business centres Network);
• BAE (Business Angels Europe);
• EURADA (European Association of Regional Development Agencies)
• IASP (Worldwide Organization of Science Parks); 
• INSME (International Network for SMEs);
• Crowdhelix (international association of innovation players)

 RUIZIA

Ruizia is a research and intervention organization dedicated to the sustainability of island systems. 

Through a complex and multidisciplinary approach, Ruizia generates knowledge and tools grounded in expertise on:
- The performance and internationalization of regional research and innovation systems, notably in the EU outermost regions.
- The dynamics of island socio-ecosystems
- Public policies in remote territories

  Trust-IT

Trust-IT is an ICT-intensive SME which delivers result-oriented stakeholder communication and engagement strategies to a wide range of stakeholders from different domains, leading international communication and dissemination activities (including workshops, conferences & policy dialogues), orchestrating projects results exploitation and market uptakes combined with quality market research. 

Trust-IT Services has also served as an authoritative facilitator for the EU and global standardisation experts’ community, through leading StandICT.eu since 2018 and handling Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) through its TRUST-GRANTS™ platform in projects leveraging EU funding through open calls such as StandICT.eu, SEEBLOCKS, and InDiCo-Global. Moreover, through its sister company COMMpla, Trust-IT has led the HSBooster.eu pilot project providing expert support services on standardisation to the H2020 & HE community of projects funded by the European Commission.

 UNICO

UNICO is a specialized consulting firm based in Prague at the intersection of Deep Tech, Innovation and Market strategy. With a proven track record of founding and scaling university spin-offs, conducting market validated business case refinements, and bridging academia with industry, we bring a unique blend of technical, strategic, and market insights.

We collaborate with venture capital funds, start-ups, corporations, government agencies, and universities to assess, validate, and scale cutting-edge technologies. Our expertise spans technology scouting, intellectual property assessment and valuation, technology and market validation, business development, evaluation of public support schemes, development of guidelines and training. Learn more at www.unico.ai.

  Xjenza Malta

Xjenza Malta (Science Malta) established by means of Legal Notice 112 of 2024, is the Malta Government Agency acting as the national R&D and Space-funding agency, and the policy development and implementation body in the area of Research, Innovation and Space. Science Malta is entrusted with the updating of the national R&I and Space policy frameworks, overseeing and coordinating R&I and Space-strategy implementation through programming efforts, including the direct management of the national public budgetary allocation for Research, Innovation and Space.

Science Malta manages and implements the FUSION portfolio, thus financing research endeavours across the entire technology-readiness spectrum, providing a multi-million portfolio primarily via grant-based support. Science Malta also hosts the National Contact Point (NCP) network for Horizon Europe, promoting and ensuring Malta’s overall successful participation in the EU Framework Programme for R&I and related support schemes, while also representing the Government of Malta within the comitology structure of Horizon Europe. The Internationalisation Unit within Science Malta manages Malta’s participation in an increasing number of R&I Co-Fund Partnerships and is actively engaged in developing and expanding bilateral and multilateral R&I collaborative arrangements, including mobility and funding programmes, jointly operated with foreign counterpart bodies.

   PRAXI Network 

PRAXI Network, founded in 1991, is a unit of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), with the mission to support innovation and technology transfer at both national and european levels. With a strong presence in 7 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Chania, Volos, Ioannina), PRAXI Network provides targeted consulting services to researchers, universities, research organizations, and innovative Greek Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), linking research with industry.

Additionally, it supports the Greek industry and entrepreneurship daily through services related to information, networking, and consulting in areas such as funding, intellectual property protection and management, business intelligence, and the development of new products/markets.

   Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information

SLOVAK CENTRE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION („CVTI SR“) has been established with the aim of raising awareness on science, technology, and R&D results. Beginning to write its history in 1938, the Centre is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Slovakia. It is a cover organisation of the Slovak National Horizon Office consisting of thematic national contact points for the Horizon Europe program (HE).

Supporting science and development: CVTI SR organises different events (conferences, science cafés, and exhibitions) on a regular basis. Anually, Week of Science and Technology in Slovakia is held by CVTI SR and the Ministry of Education, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic, with tens of accompanying events. Since 2013, CVTI SR has been the main co-organiser of European Researchers Nights.

Awarding prestige prizes in R&D: In cooperation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Association of Slovak Scientific and Technical Societies, CVTI SR annually recognises outstanding people in science and research. At an event called Scientist of the Year, leading Slovak scientists and technologists from various fields of science and research are awarded for the benefits coming from the scientific research, successful work, introducing new technologies, and reminding the public of the best results of Slovak R&D. The categories are as follows: Scientist of the Year, Young Scientist/Young Researcher, Innovator of the Year, Technologist of the Year, International Cooperation Personality. The competition has been held regularly every year since 1997. 

Base for NCPs within EU Horizon programme: CVTI is the focal point for 15 NCPs who are the main support structure for the Horizon Europe programme at national level in Slovakia. National Horizon Office provides advice, practical information and assistance to potential applicants and beneficiaries on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe. It is cooperating with universities, Centres of Excellence, scientific centres as well as SMEs and professional associations of different kinds.

   Research Council of Lithuania (RCL)

The Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) is the national institution responsible for implementing science and studies policy. Acting as a key expert and advisory body to the Seimas (Parliament) and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the RCL plays a vital role in shaping the country’s research, experimental development, and innovation (RDI) landscape.

RCL’s mission is to actively contribute to the development of research and innovation policy and to foster an effective RDI system that meets societal expectations and addresses global challenges. This is achieved by applying organizational and financial tools for the competitive funding of scientific research.