Between the 26th and 28th of August 2024, a site visit called the “Inspiration Phase” took place at DTU Aqua (the Marine Science Research Centre of the Technical University of Denmark). The primary objective was to present to the partners CITEB, OOM, and OKEANOS (represented by their respective directors, a researcher, and a project manager) the approaches adopted by the most advanced partners in their involvement with European research projects, particularly under Horizon Europe. This was undertaken with the understanding that mastering the participation standards for the European Research Area (ERA) is a prerequisite for engaging in such calls and projects.
Several visits and presentations were conducted, along with four seminars. The first seminar, led by DTU Aqua, was titled “Marine Advanced Research Practices – How Did DTU Aqua Build a Coordinator Institute & Culture?”; the second seminar, led by ERINN, was titled “Marine Innovation Management Practices”; the third seminar, led by NEXA, was titled “Responsible Research & Innovation & HRS4R”; and the fourth seminar, also led by DTU Aqua, was titled “Getting Invited to the EU Club.” The directors of CITEB, OOM, and OKEANOS delivered presentations—both in person and via Zoom to the entire DTU network (spread across multiple locations in Denmark)—highlighting the strategies and potential of their institutes. A group of DTU project managers and researchers showcased their projects and participated in a Q&A panel with attendees, both in person and online.
In addition to internal visits to DTU Aqua facilities (including the Drone Dome and Food Lab), the partners also visited the headquarters of ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) in Copenhagen. There, alongside institutional and project presentations, opportunities for collaboration were explored.
Throughout the visit, practical advice was shared with the three partners from the Outermost Regions (CITEB, OOM, and OKEANOS) regarding the various practices and approaches employed by the most advanced partners and participants. It can be concluded that they/we certainly returned inspired by the experiences and insights gained over the three-day mission.
