This working group is actively involved in shaping the European Research Area and aims to play a significant role in influencing future framework programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe 2028-2034) and their calls for proposals.
Current developments at EU level suggest that future (framework) programmes and calls could become increasingly technology-focused, while key topics such as climate and sustainability risk losing prominence. This makes it all the more important to take an active stance in the early stages of discussion and negotiation, and to feed coordinated input from the CCCA community into consultation and commenting processes. This also helps to highlight topics that are of particular relevance to the Austrian research landscape — one of the AG EF's core tasks. In addition, the establishment of a core group enables a swift and targeted response to international enquiries.
Getting involved in the working group offers the chance to gain early access to the latest developments and tailored information on European research funding, as well as to connect with experts from a wide range of disciplines.
Objectives:
- Enabling coordinated feedback from the CCCA community on current programme developments in the European Research Area (currently: shaping of Horizon Europe 2028-2034) and placing topics relevant to the Austrian community on the agenda
- Establishing a core group that can respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner to enquiries with an international dimension
- Prioritised access to information for researchers who show a particular interest and engagement with European programmes and initiatives
- Creating a general overview of the status of climate research in Austria in an international context
The following activities are currently planned for the working group:
- Virtual meetings (as needed) with thematic focuses: e.g. tailored information from FFG on funding opportunities
- Development of coordinated and consolidated feedback on future work programmes and calls for proposals; placing relevant topics on the agenda for the Austrian community; the working group thus develops joint statements for the CCCA community, which are fed directly back to the respective Austrian delegates
- Specific invitations to workshops and events
Key topics for 2025:
- Horizon Europe Cluster 5 & Missions: How can the current, expiring framework programme still be put to good use?
- Horizon Europe 2028-2034 (FP 10): How can climate change research reclaim more space?
Chair: Elisabeth Worliczek, elisabeth.worliczek@ccca.ac.at
CCCA Board Representative: Gerhard Wotawa, GeoSphere Austria