TOP III : What is EURAXESS TOP III all about

Welcome,

this website is written for EURAXESS Network members. I guess you have heard about the TOP III project, otherwise you would probably not be here reading this. (For more information on EURAXESS go to www.euraxess.eu)
So you probably know that the EURAXESS TOP III project is a EURAXESS project, aimed to improve, strenghten, enhance the entire network in all its diversity and developments.

A lot of really exciting stuff is done within the scope of this project! So much in fact, that it is a little overwhelming when you are presented with the project all at once.

This website aims to give you a bit of a clue on what the project is about and hopefully entice you to read up on it a little more, for example on the EURAXESS extranet. If it could inspire you in some way, that would be really great.

This table de 3 does not have the ambition to report on the progress of the project, or inform on dates of activites and outcomes. It’s only aim is to explain in a nutshell what this complex and inspiring project is about.

This site will not be updated. So if you want to keep abreast with the developments, please turn to your BHO, to the project participants or the EURAXESS extranet.

TOP III is a EC funded project which is about the enhancing of the EURAXESS network.

EURAXESS is a European network active in 40 countries, which aims to improve the European Research Area (ERA) through making it easier for international research talent to move to and in between European countries. The idea is that internationally mobile researchers should be able to follow their talent to and across Europe, without (too much) hassle (paperwork/untransparent procedures). This network started around 2002. It is growing, developing and gaining importance. (www.euraxess.eu)

So basically TOP III is to help this EURAXESS network to adapt to new challenges, and to allow it to professionalise.

EURAXESS TOP III is a project acronym for ‘enhancing The Outreach and effectiveness of the euraxess network Partners’. EURAXESS TOP I and EURAXESS TOP II preceded this current project.

The basics

General information about the project

Aim:
The aim of the EURAXESS TOP III is threefold:

  1. To develop and offer new services.
  2. Build on the results of the former EURAXESS projects and ensure the continuity and take-up of services and products provided therein by the whole EURAXESS network.
  3. Strengthen and consolidate the overall work of EURAXESS network members, assuring that the level of existing services is consistent and high.

Duration: 3 years (36 months)

Start date: 1 September 2015

End date: 31 August 2018

Budget: € 3.5 million

Project Coordinator: Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. (BZN) from Hungary

Number of project participants: 38 organisations of which 33 are beneficiaries and 5 are linked third parties.

Call for proposals: H2020-SEAC- 2014- 1

TOPics

TOPics addressed in TOP III

The aim of the EURAXESS TOP III is threefold:

  1. Capacity building of EURAXESS members
    EURAXESS Members can gain knowledge through

training, there will be three training events organised for a total of x participants. (WP6)
finding a mentor within the network, a mentor program is set up, where EURAXESS Centres who are looking for gaining certain skills or knowledge, can ask for another EURAXESS Centre with those skills or that knowledge, to mentor them. Sometimes some costs can be paid from the Network Call. (WP6)
study visits, members from EURAXESS can visit EURAXESS centres in other countries. This can be done on an individual basis, where you have to find your own match, or you can join one of the Group Study Visit Offers, which are posted on the extranet. Sometimes some costs can be paid from the Network Call. (WP6)
EURAXESS handbook, this handbook is filled with useful information about the network. about the organisation of the network in the different countries, and about a lot of hands on topics a EURAXESS centre will come across in their daily work. It provides templates, best practises and guidelines. Within TOPIII it will again be updated. (WP 4.5)
EURAXESS Conference 2017, this conference is organised by the European Commission. However the content of the conference is put together in close collaboration with TOP III. (WP6)
2. Career development services
next to providing information on administrative procedures, job offers and funding, it becomes increasingly interesting for international researchers to also receive guidance on their career development.
Within TOPIII a team will look closer into what EURAXESS can offer international researchers in the different stages of their research career.(WP2)
In order to provide services on career development many EURAXESS members still have to bridge a knowledge gap. This will also be addressed in the project. (WP3)

  1. Creating positive attitude towards international researchers
    Not all research environments are very positive and welcoming to international researchers yet. EURAXESS members can be a change agent in such situations. (WP4)

  2. Improving networking

EURAXESS is a broad network and is great in networking amongst itself. However we have not yet bridged structural networking to other partnering networks. This has had attention in the past, but we have not yet achieved all the goals we would like to achieve. (WP7)

  1. Improving online service

the new EURAXESS website will be launched during TOP III. For national networks this means they have to rebuilt their national website as well. There will be support for this effort, money can be obtained from the Network Call, and the quality of the outcomes will be checked, as it is desirable that the new EURAXESS sites will be attractive, clear and at least filled with the basic information. (WP5)

Furthermore an online tool will be set up to help the capacity building of EURAXESS network members. An online training tool. (WP 5)

  1. National EURAXESS development
    Each national network has its own characteristics, surrounding, and needs. With the Network Call there is funding available for each BHO, to take on the challenges they want to tackle. There is limited funding per country (up to 20.000 euro) for a wide range of activities such as promotion, study visits, travel costs to the different events like PA meetings and trainings, work on the portal and national networking. If you want to find out more about your national Network Call project, contact your BHO. (WP 7)

  2. Promotion of EURAXESS

Raising more awareness on the EURAXESS network and its services and activities within the researchers’ community, other relevant networks and stakeholders. (WP6.5)

  1. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)

RRI is a key principle based on the need to gear the innovation process towards societal needs. This principle will be fostered during the project, especially when working on the national websites and on new services. Setting a common base understanding to RRI principles within EURAXESS will be the key for a correct coordination and strategy of the tasks within this WP. (WP5.1)

  1. Strategic issues – Towards EURAXESS 2020
    EURAXESS used to be a network governed by the EC. They helped us setting it up, they financed the first period, and they had a leading role. Strategy was something the EC took main responsibility for. Nowadays the network is a lot more mature, settled. It can now work on strategic issues itself as well. Of course always together with the EC. This topic is about such strategic issues, like:

Benefits

Whether you are participating in TOP III or not, I am sure there are outcomes available to you through this project which will benefit you. As this TOP III project is to enhance the entire EURAXESS Network, there are several benefits available. Some might be more interesting to you than other, depending on the focus of your organisation.

EURAXESS Handbook (1 available)

Have you visited the EURAXESS Quick Start Guide for Newcomers yet? It really is filled with inspiring information. It has been around for many years and is now profoundly updated. It is written by EURAXESS Members, for EURAXESS Members, to share knowledge and best practices. As the title suggests, it is especially useful for newcomers to the network.

Update of EURAXESS Handbook

The EURAXESS Handbook is updated with relevant practises and new knowledge, for example on the provision of Career Development Services. (WP 4.5)
Available: online at the European EURAXESS portal (EURAXESS Extranet login required)

Career Counseling and/or (Research) Competencies Development (10 in total)

(10 benefits available )

Are you interested in setting up or extending career development services to your (international) researchers? This topic has a lot of attention in TOPIII. Many concrete tools will be delivered on this topic. Maybe just what you where looking for as well.

10 benefits available. Read more about these benefits

Welcoming culture (1 available)

Train the trainer workshop to act as agents of change on welcoming culture
Raising awareness of host institution staff to encourage a welcoming attitute towards international guests. Integration is a two-way process. Also the non-mobile staff needs to adapt in order to make international mobility to your institution a success. Trainings will be organised during TOP III training event and EURAXESS biannual Conference in 2017. (WP 4.4)
Targetgroup: host institutions who do not yet receive many international researchers.
Available: projectmonth 22 (June 2017)

Gender equality and diversity (2 in total)

Tools and measures on diversity management with the focus on gender diversification. (WP 4.3)
Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)

Online intercultural #### competence manager
will be developed and tested (T 4.4).
Available on the EURAXESS extranet

EURAXESS portals (4 in total)

During the duration of the project the European and national EURAXESS portals will be changed completely. This is a process apart from TOP III which is initiated by the EC. As the portal is a crucial medium for Euraxess and as the change to a new website design is quite an undertaking, within TOP III a lot of attention is focussed on the portal.

4 benefits available. Read more about these benefits

Promotion, networking and visibility (4 in total)

The visibility of EURAXESS is a difficult issue. For years a lot has been done to improve the awareness of this Network and its Services, but still many stakeholders and researchers are not yet aware of it. A lot has already been developed and written for increasing the quantity and quality of promotion of EURAXESS. This will again receive attention. Another way to improve visibility, is by investing in strategic partnerships with other networks. This will receive attention as well.

4 benefits available. Read more about these benefits

Capacity Building of EURAXESS network staff (6 in total)

Part of the strenght of the EURAXESS network lies in the opportunity to gain knowledge from each other. Thru sharing our experiences, receiving trainings on topics we are interested in, and to be inspired by what others are doing, the network gains strength. TOP III facilitates this need and desire of EURAXES Centres to exchange experience and knowlegde.

7 benefits available. Read more about these benefits

Support for national tailormade approach (5 in total)

Network Call
Each national network has it’s own challenges and opportunities. An effective way to improve at this level is by being provided the choice and the means on how to develop yourselves. This is the background against which the Network Call is developed. Maybe in your national situation the producing of promotion materials are very important, or the revamping of the national portal needs all the attention and funding it can get. Maybe knowledge exchange through one of the capacity buildings options is especially interesting to your network. The BHO’s need to hand in the national’s Network Call Application.
Finished

Study visits, mentoring program and inviting an expert are also tailormade options available to EURAXESS Centres locally. They are discussed under the heading Capacity Building.

Recommendations for vertical networking to improve the service
To identify which stakeholders, partners, organizations, players are available in your national workfield, and how to use them through networking, in order to improve your impact. (WP 8.2)
Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)

Quality, identity and strategy (3 in total)

Mapping exercise tool to help improve impact

An online tool is developed aimed at learning how to decide, what to do, what to develop and what to prioritize. This can be used to develop new services, but also to improve old services or products, or to change course due to a new prioritization.
Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required): The EURAXESS Services Dimensioning Toolkit and Concept paper on the future of EURAXESS services and advanced service concepts (RCN) (WP 8.1)

Quality system developed

To develop a quality assessment within the EURAXESS Network in order to support the professional development and coherent data collection. This will be the content of a training session, a benchmarking will be delivered and relevant statistics will be collected (WP 8.4) Available: unknown.

Strategy document for whole EURAXESS Network: EURAXESS 2020

Available: projectmonth 36

Full list of outcomes useful for the broader network

D2.1 Euraxess Career Planning Handbook (RPF) (online in August 2018)
D2.2 Talent Development Suite (ETH) Available online
D2.3 Modules on dual careers and integration services (UCPH) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D2.4 Report on twinning and networking schemes for researchers (SSC AVCR) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required) + posters: Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D3.1 Comparative analysis of the state-of-the-art with recommendations (CRUI) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D3.2 Guidelines for setting up CDCs. (IUA) Download the report here: D3.2 The EURAXESS Career Development Service Model Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D3.3 Set of tools for CDCs (BC) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D3.5 Recommendation for setting up EURAXESS CDCs (BIU) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D4.1. Recommendations about EURAXESS portal content for third countries (FECYT) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D4.2 Guide on mobilising the local resources to remove the mobility obstacles (OeAD) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D4.3 Diversity management guide for EURAXESS network (ULg) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D4.5 On-line intercultural competence manager tool (SU) Available on the EURAXESS extranet
D4.6 Updated version of the on-line EURAXESS Handbook (CERTH) Available on the EURAXESS extranet
D5.1 Report on RRI actions relevant for the EURAXESS initiative (FECYT) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D5.3 Report on R1 and R2 career support resources (IKT-LAB)
D5.4 Report on novel international mobility resources (IKT-LAB) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D5.5 Linked-In strategy for EURAXESS national networks (UNIBL) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D6.5 Report on Promotional Activities (SAIA)
D7.3 Report SWOT analysis of network to define who to collaborate with – Extranet library ‘EURAXESS SWOT analysis (NUFFIC)
D7.5 Report on the outcomes of the networking workshops (BIU) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D8.1 Concept paper on future EURAXESS services and advanced service concepts (RCN) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D8.2 Models for vertical capacity building (IPPT PAN) Available for download (EURAXESS extranet login required)
D8.5 The EURAXESS 2020 Development Framework (ETH)

Workpackages and tasks

TOP III consists of 8 workpackages en a total of 38 tasks. Each workpackage and task has its own leader – person who is responsible for the fulfilment of this task or workpackage. In order to have a broad view of the setup and content of the project, here they are explained. If you are interested in more details, please read the full version, which can easiest be requested at Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd.

Tip: if there is a workpackage or task which you think sounds interesting. Feel free to contact the organisation in charge of it. I am sure they are more than willing to share their ideas, their workplan and the progress they are making, with fellow EURAXESS members.

Workpackage 1 – Management

Aim of this workpackage is to facilitate all the processes within the project, in order to be successful.
WP leader: Bay Zoltan

Workpackage 2 – Career Management & Professional Development for EURAXESS

Aim: With the researcher at its centre this WP seeks to open the entrance for a multitude of ways to scale agility through three core lattice ways: careers, work and participation.
WP leader: ETH Zurich

Read more about all 4 tasks

Workpackage 3 – Favourable environment for EURAXESS Career Development Services
Aim: to further diversify the services provided by the EURAXESS network through preparing the network for providing services related to the researcher’s career development.
WP-leader: IPPT PAN

Read more about all 5 tasks

Workpackage 4 – Researchers’ environment

Aim: to enhance the capacity of EURAXESS network members to improve the research environment to be more positive, more welcoming to mobile researchers.
Workpackage leader: SAIA

Read more about all 5 tasks

Workpackage 5 – National portals in the light of RRI

Aim: to support the EURAXESS national portals community to foster the uptake of technical and content updates.
WP leader: FECYT

Read more about all 5 tasks

Workpackage 6 – Capacity building and promotion

Aim: to contribute to the strenghtening and consolidating of the overall work of Network members’ staff, through (peer) learning. And to promote EURAXESS.
WP leader: AMEUP

Read more about all 6 tasks

Workpackage 7 – EURAXESS Services Network Support

Aim: To organise the Network Call and to improve the structural partnerships with other networks.
Workpackage leader: CERTH

Read more about all 5 tasks

Workpackage 8 – Towards EURAXESS 2020 – Network diversification, knowledge transfer, quality development and impact.

Aim: To work on all the relevant topics for EURAXESS on a more strategic level, resulting in a Network strategy on these issues.
Workpackage leader: RCN

Read more about all 5 tasks

Who

By who and for who

TOP III is for the whole EURAXESS network. That is the whole idea. The project aims to enhance the entire EURAXESS Network. Did you know that EURAXESS counts over a 1000 registered members and over 500 registered organizations? Nearly all EURAXESS countries participate in the project. As far as I know only Sweden is not a project partner. (please send me a note on if this is correct or not).

Most if not all the activities undertaken in the project are shaped in such a way that the outcomes of the tasks have a much wider outreach than just the participants in that task. This is part of the beauty of the project.

The sharing of the benefits is not only requested from the European Commission (as grant provider), but is also the overall aim of the project participants. Find out what the outcomes are: Benefits.

Who are actively involved in the project

As this website is an open source, no persons are named, only the organization they work for. If you are a EURAXESS member, you can easily find the right person through the contacts list on the EURAXESS Extranet once you know which organization to look for.

Here you can find a list of the organisations participating in the project.

In the section Workpackages and tasks, you can find which organisation is responsible for each part of the project. If you want to contact them, maybe because you are interested in a specific task, you can find their contact details on the EURAXESS Extranet.

Abbreviation Full name country
AMEUP Agencija za Mobilnost i Programe Europske Unije Croatia
ARTI Agjencia e Kerkimit Teknologjise Dhe Inovacionit Albania
BC British Council United Kingdom
BIU Bar Ilan University Israel
BZN Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. Hungary
CERTH Ethniko Kentro Erevnas kai Technologikis Anaptyxis Greece
CMEPIUS Center Republike Slovenije za Mobilnost in Evropske Programe Izobrazevanja in Usposabljanja Slovenia
CPI Centrul Proiecte Internationale Moldova Rebublic
CPU Conference des Presidents D’Universite France
ETAg Sihtasutus Eesti Teadusagentuur Estonia
ETH Zurich Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich Switzerland
FCT Fundacao Para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia Portugal
FECYT Fundacion Espanola para la Ciencia y la Tecnologia Spain
Fondazione CRUI Fondazione Crui per le Universita Italiane Italy
IKT-Lab Drushtvo za Eduacija Centar za Inovacii Transfer na Znaeenje Dooel Skopje FYRO Macedonia
IPPT PAN Instytut Podstawowych Problemow Techniki Polskiej Akademii Nauk Poland
IUA Irish Universities Association Ireland
LSIWC Latvijas Valsts Koksnes Kimijas Instituts Latvia
MCST The Malta Council for Science and Technology – Ministry for education and employment Malta
MEF Masinski Facultet Univerziteta u Nisu Serbia
Nuffic Stichting EP-Nuffic Netherlands
OeAD OeAD – Osterreichische Austauschdienst Austria
RANNIS The Icelandic Centre for Research Iceland
RCN Norges Forskningsrad – Research Council Norway Norway
RPF Research Promotion Foundation Cyprus
SAIA SAIA Slovakia
SSC AVCR Stredisko Spolecnych Cinnosti av CR v.v.i. Czech Republic
SU Sofiiski Universiteit Sveti Kliment Ohridski Bulgaria
TUBITAK Turkiye Bilimsel Ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu Turkey
UCPH Kobenhavns Universitet Denmark
UEFISCDI Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii Romania
ULG Universite de Liege Belgium
UNIBL Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci Bosnia and Herzegovina
Linked Third Parties
Abbreviation Full name country
AKA Suomen Akatemia Finland
DLR Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt EV Germany
FRC The Faroese Research Council (Granskingarradid) Faroe Islands
RLC Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba Lithuania
UoM Javna Ustanova Univerzitet CRNE Gore Podgorica Montenegro

Timeline

EURAXESS TOP III timeline

Project duration 3 years (36 months): 1 September 2015 – 31 August 2018

The group study visit offers are published in more detail in an overview. All other items relevant for the timeline are presented below.

General overview per project month (PM):

PM 1 – September 2015 – start date of the project / kick-off meeting in Budapest
PM 2 – October 2015
PM 3 – November 2015
PM 4 – December 2015 – BHO’s asked to set up a Group Study Visit Offer
PM 5 – January 2016 – Launch of the Network Call applications
PM 6 – February 2016
PM 7 – March 2016 – Network Call applications closed (each country’s BHO has handed in an application)
– First focus group on gender equality in research (WP4)
PM 8 – April 2016 – Report published on existing career services. ‘Career Development Services and Centres in EURAXESS
– First pilot Multicultural Competency WS for hosts institutions (WP4)
PM 9 – May 2016 – Second pilot Multicultural Competency WS for hosts institutions staff organised (WP4)
– Second focus group on gender equality in research (WP4)

PM 10 – June 2016 – Portal administrators training/meeting 1
PM 11 – July 2016
PM 12 – August 2016 – Online training platform launch date (aim)
PM 13 – September 2016 – Group Study Visit Offer – Serbia – implementation new EURAXESS portal
PM 14 – October 2016 – Group Study Visit Offer – Greece – HR Strategy
– Group Study Visit Offer – Spain – creating attractive ecosystem for attracting talent
PM 15 – November 2016 – Portal administrators training/meeting 2?
– Group Study Visit Offer – Denmark – Welcoming international researchers
PM 16 – December 2016
PM 17 – January 2017
PM 18 – February 2017
PM 19 – March 2017 – Group Study Visit Offer – Israel – Intersectoral mobility of researchers
PM 20 – April 2017 – Group Study Visit Offer Zagreb – improving through cooperation, aimed at newcomers to the network
– Group Study Visit Offer Zwitzerland – toolbox of career promoting instruments
PM 21 – May 2017 – Group Study Visit Offer the Netherlands
– EURAXESS Conference 2017 – 15-17 May
– Group Study Visit Offer Bulgaria – Leadership
– Group Study Visit Offer Bulgaria – Multicultural competences
PM 22 – June 2017 – Training for EURAXESS Service Centres in Croatia
PM 23 – July 2017
PM 24 – August 2017
PM 25 – September 2017
PM 26 – October 2017 – Mapping exercise tool published (WP 8.1)
PM 27 – November 2017 – Portal administrators training/meeting 3?
PM 28 – December 2017
PM 29 – January 2018
PM 30 – February 2018 – Training for BHO’s on career development aspects
PM 31 – March 2018 – Network Call projects closed
PM 32 – April 2018
PM 33 – May 2018
PM 34 – June 2018
PM 35 – July 2018
PM 36 – August 2018 – last month of project
All published documents can be found on the EURAXESS Extranet Library unless stated otherwise.

Group Study Visit Offers

Within the EURAXESS TOPIII Network Call, you can apply for funding for study visits to other EURAXESS Centres. You can do so in individual visits or by joining a Group Study Visit, organised by a host country. Here all the Group Study Visit Offers are listed.

In the Study Visits Programme Guide you can find more detailed information on Study Visits.

Calender

Date
Sep/Oct 2016

19-20 October 2016

25-27 October 2016

1-2 November 2016

Early spring 2017

April 2017

Late April 2017

9-12 May 2017

23-24 May 2017

24- 25 May 2017

30-31 May 2017

19 – 21 June 2017

Country
Serbia

Greece

Spain

Denmark

Israel

Croatia

Serbia

The Netherlands

Bulgaria

Bulgaria

Greece

Switserland

Topic
EURAXESS portal

HR Strategy

Attractive talent ecosystem

Warm welcome

Intersectoral mobility

Cooperation with public institutions

EURAXESS portal

Warm welcome

Intercultural communication

Career development of researchers

IPR

Career development instruments

More detailed information
September 2016 / first half October 2016 Serbia (University of Niš) – EURAXESS portal

“New EURAXESS national portals – enhanced user experience and interoperability”

Electronic Services (implementation of the new EURAXESS portal)
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Serbia

19-20 October 2016 Greece (Thessaloníki, CERTH) – HR Strategy

“HR Strategy: HRS4R Logo Experience, Proposal Writing in Horizon 2020 and Mentoring”

Providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Career development of researchers
Attracting international researchers
Charter & Code, HRS4R and open recruitment
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Greece HR strategy

25-27 October 2016 Spain, Basque Country (Bizkaia Talent) – Attractive talent ecosystem

“Drawing an attractive ecosystem for attracting Talent through multi-agent cooperation: Bizkaia:talent approach”

Direct client services:

Providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Dual career support
Social and cultural integration and intercultural communication
Family Reunification support
Promotional activities

Promoting geographical and intersectoral mobility
Attracting international researchers
Networking and establishing different forms of cooperation with:

Public institutions on different governance levels
Academic and research institutions
Industry
Researchers’ diaspora abroad
Local Initiatives
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Spain Basque Country

1-2 November 2016 Denmark (Kopenhagen) – warm welcome

“How to welcome international researchers and their family. Professional administrative assistance, social & network activities and a full Dual Career Program gives recruitment and retention of international researchers a boost.evels • Academic and research institutions • Industry • Researchers’ diaspora abroad • Local Initiatives ”

Dual Career support
Integration support
Social and cultural integration and intercultural communication
Organisation of daily work and administration
Creating welcoming environment for international researchers at the host institutions
Coordination of network
Copenhagen International House – Corporation between municipality, governmental bodies and university
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Denmark

Early spring 2017 Israel – intersectoral mobility

“Mobility of researchers – inter-sectorial, career development and multicultural issues – Exchange of knowledge and good practice ”

Encouraging mobility to a multicultural research environment
Career development for researchers
Inter-sectorial mobility
Assistance Relocation
Networking and cooperation with EURAXESS members from other countries and institutions
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Israel

April 2017 Croatia – cooperation with public institutions

“Improving researchers’ support through cooperation with public institutions and other networks”

Researchers support – providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Charter & Code, HRS4R and open recruitment
Collaboration with public institutions (e.g. Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports)
Cooperation with other EU networks – Horizon 2020 National Contact Points for Legal and Financial Issues and for Marie Skłodowska – Curie Actions
Organisation of conferences, workshops and information days Organisation of daily work
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Croatia

Late April 2017 Serbia (University of Niš) – EURAXESS portal

“New EURAXESS national portals – enhanced user experience and interoperability”

Electronic Services (implementation of the new EURAXESS portal)
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Serbia

9-12 May 2017 The Netherlands (Groningen & Eindhoven) – Warm welcome

“Practices on creating a warm welcome and soft landing for international newcomers ”

Creating a welcoming environment for international researchers at the host institutions
Providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Integration support
Dual careers support
Social and cultural integration and intercultural communication
Organisation of daily work and administration.
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer the Netherlands

23-24 May 2017 Bulgaria (Sofia University) – Intercultural communication

“Multicultural Competence for a Global World”

Direct Client Services – Social and cultural integration and intercultural communication
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Bulgaria 1

24- 25 May 2017 Bulgaria (Sofia University) – Career development of researchers

“Leadership in the 21st Century”

Direct Client Services – Career development of researchers
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Bulgaria 2

30-31 May 2017 Greece (CERTH Thessaloníki) – IPR

“Knowledge management – IPR management”

Providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Career development of researchers
Organisation of daily work and administration
Quality management
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Greece IPR

19 – 21 June 2017 Switserland (Zurich) – Career development instruments

“Everyone with their own skills: Create your own toolbox of career promoting instruments ”

Providing information, counselling and customised assistance
Career development of researchers
Public institutions on different governance levels
Industry
Attracting international researchers
Quality management
Full offer: EURAXESS TOP III Group Study Visit Offer Switzerland

EURAXESS TOP III Making European research careers more attractive by developing new services and enhancing the current services of the EURAXESS Network

EURAXESS TOP III Network Call
STUDY VISITS PROGRAMME

GROUP STUDY VISIT OFFER

Host organization profileHost organisationEindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a research university specializingin engineering science & technology (https://www.tue.nl/en/).Address: Groene Loper 5, 5612 AE Eindhoven, the Netherlands.The University of Groningen (UG) (founded in 1614) is an internationallyoriented research university in the number-one knowledge hub of the NorthernNetherlands (https://www.rug.nl).Address: Broerstraat 5, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands.Short profile of theorganisationTU/e HR Department supports the university in this aim, taking care of not onlyall the administrative aspects of personnel matters but also (international)recruitment, legal advice and educational training. In this way we strengthen theTU/e’s human capital. DPO is primarily geared to providing TU/e staff anenvironment that will optimize their performance and development. The HRdepartment takes care of the immigrations formalities and creates a welcomingenvironment for international researchers and their families. The Get in Touch-program that TU/e offers to the accompanying spouses of its internationalemployees received solid international recognition in 2014; the program wasawarded the ‘EMMA 2014’ in the category ‘Best family support program’. TheEMMA’s are the ‘Expatriate and Mobility Management Awards’.The University of Groningen (UG) is innovative, research-driven and rooted inGroningen, the City of Talent. Talent is nurtured, enabling the University tobridge the gap between science and society. As students and staff come fromthe Netherlands and from at least 100 other countries, UG is truly international.Many of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes are taught in English.In addition, a growing number of international double degree/joint programmesare offered in cooperation with partner universities from all over the world.Furthermore, UG participates in international networks and incorporatesinternational themes in its programmes.

In the past years several auxiliary services have been established to propagate and support UG‘s internationalcharacter. Welcoming and supporting our international students & staff is verydear to our heart.Contact personMrs. Kara de Rooy (HR Back Office International)email: HR-Backoffice_internationaal@tue.nl, telephone: +31 40 2474589.Description of study visitTitlePractices on creating a warm welcome and soft landing for internationalnewcomersEstimated date(s)9-12 May 2017 (preceding the EURAXESS conference in the Netherlands).Thematic orientationThe main thematic orientation is: Creating a welcoming environment forinternational researchers at the host institutions.Other themes also prominently featured in this program:•Providing information, counselling and customised assistance•Integration support•Dual careers support•Social and cultural integration and intercultural communication•Organisation of daily work and administration.Proposed programme• Day one: getting to know each other & introduction in cultural quirks ofthe Dutch. An intercultural introduction.• Day two: visit to the University of Groningen’s different welcominginitiatives. During the visit an inside view of these initiatives will begiven. At the central level of UG the International Service Desk isspecialized in visa & permit applications and the HR Information Deskwelcomes all new foreign employees personally for an onboardinginterview. There is a close collaboration with the InternationalWelcome Centre North that deals with the official formalities. All theactivities are closely geared to one another which is a prerequisite for asoft landing. A meeting with international researchers is planned to getan idea of the different initiatives at faculty level.• Day three: sharing & exchange of practises between Dutch EURAXESSnetwork and Study Visit members.• Day four: visit to TU/e, take part in their introduction day, learn moreabout Get in Touch (aimed at the social integration of the partner), visitthe local facilities for international researchers.Additional informationThe Study Visit will take place in the week preceding the Bi-annual EURAXESSconference in The Netherlands. This will give participants the opportunity tovisit and enjoy Dutch places of interest in the intervening weekend.

Participants of the study visitParticipant profilePersons dealing with formalities and welcoming of international researchers andfamilies.Maximum number ofparticipantsMaximum of 25 participants.Benefits of participation Visitors will get an in-depth introduction to the organisation of welcominginternational newcomers at two universities. A platform is provided to exchangegood practises on these issues within the Dutch EURAXESS network.We expect everyone to gain inspiration and new ideas, which they can use intheir own situation.