Between 19 and 25 May 2026, REMORA welcomed representatives from Ruizia for a strategic mission to the Azores, focused on strengthening research capacity, fostering European collaboration, and enhancing participation in Horizon Europe initiatives.
The visit included meetings with the University of the Azores governance and research support services, where discussions addressed the integration of the University within the European Research Area (ERA), institutional strategies for Horizon Europe participation, and opportunities to reinforce international research cooperation.
Several working sessions were held with the REMORA and OKEANOS teams, bringing together researchers, governance representatives, and early-career scientists. A major highlight of the mission was a dedicated training programme on Horizon Europe, designed to empower young researchers and increase engagement in future European funding opportunities.
The sessions covered key aspects of the Horizon Europe framework, including funding instruments, eligibility and evaluation criteria, consortium building, proposal preparation, and practical participation strategies. Interactive discussions also explored how researchers can strengthen their European networks, define long-term research visions, and strategically position themselves within the EU research landscape.
An incubator session focused on upcoming 2027 calls enabled participants to discuss project ideas and potential leadership opportunities in areas such as MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Staff Exchanges, Excellence Hubs, ERA Chairs, and Research Management initiatives.
The mission concluded with discussions on REMORA communication and dissemination activities and an OKEANOS scientific talk dedicated to the role of outermost regions within the European Frameworks for Research and Innovation.
This visit represented an important step in reinforcing REMORA’s objectives of promoting excellence, collaboration, and increased participation of the Azores in European research and innovation programmes.
