How does the European Research Area (ERA) translate from policy vision into concrete opportunities for researchers and institutions—especially those in widening countries? In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive deep into the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and explore how to build competitive, high‑impact WIDERA proposals.

You’ll hear expert insights from:

• Siiri Kolka – National Contact Point, ERA specialist
• Damir Hasković – Coordinator of the Next Tech Talents project
• Kārlis Krēsliņš – Project partner and university representative

Together, they unpack the ERA pillars, discuss what makes a successful ERA proposal, and share hands‑on experiences from the recently funded Next Tech Talents initiative—focused on strengthening deep‑tech ecosystems and improving researcher career pathways in Europe.

Whether you’re a researcher, proposal writer, project manager, or institutional leader, this episode helps you understand the ERA logic, avoid common pitfalls, and recognize how ERA‑funded actions support systemic change across Europe.

Timestamped Questions & Segments

00:00:02 – Welcome to the episode
00:00:35 – Introduction of guests and topic

Interview with Siiri Kolka

00:01:40 – What is the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and why does it matter?
00:12:06 – What makes a competitive ERA proposal?
00:14:00 – Why is understanding the ERA policy agenda crucial?
00:17:20 – How should applicants think about consortium composition?
00:18:55 – What should applicants check when calls have a “portfolio approach”?

Interview with Damir Hasković

00:19:36 – How did you organize your proposal-writing journey for Next Tech Talents?
00:23:11 – What makes an impact section convincing?
00:25:55 – What is the Next Tech Talents project about?
00:31:02 – Who is in your consortium and why?
00:33:20 – Tips for applicants preparing proposals under ERA/WIDERA

Interview with Kārlis Krēsliņš

00:35:25 – First impressions and reflections on ERA insights shared today
00:37:20 – Why did your institution join this consortium?
00:40:01 – Your role in the proposal and how it translated into project duties
00:46:00 – Can ERA projects lead to national reforms (doctoral schools, career models)?

Closing Reflections

00:55:20 – Siiri’s final remarks and key takeaways
00:58:30 – Episode wrap‑up

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In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Juliane Sauer, Director and founding member of OXYGENEUM, and former MSCA National Contact Point for Switzerland. With over a decade of experience supporting researchers across Europe, Juliane shares her journey from academia to consultancy, her leadership in the Net4Mobility project, and her current role in the ambitious Radiance initiative.

Together, we explore how Radiance is working to harmonize support for MSCA National Contact Points (NCPs) across countries, improve researcher mobility, and leverage digital tools—including matchmaking platforms and AI—to strengthen collaboration.

Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or simply curious about how the EU fosters scientific careers and international cooperation, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of research support.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

•Juliane Sauer’s career path: from communication scientist to EU research consultant
•The Radiance project: scope, funding, and goals
•Ensuring consistency among MSCA NCPs across countries
•Peer learning, benchmarking, and tailored training approaches
•Quantitative & qualitative evaluation methods for NCP support
•Adapting to diverse target groups: doctoral networks, postdocs, industry partners
•Matchmaking platform for researchers and institutions
•The role of AI in supporting—but not replacing—human expertise

⏱️ Question Timestamps

•00:57 – Introduction to Dr. Juliane Sauer’s background
•02:38 – What is the Radiance project and its objectives?
•05:56 – How will consistency among NCPs be ensured across countries?
•09:10 – Evaluating success: indicators and feedback mechanisms
•10:06 – Adapting Radiance to different MSCA schemes and target groups
•13:30 – Tailoring support for widening and third countries
•13:33 – The matchmaking platform: how it works and why it matters
•16:00 – Exploring AI tools: balancing automation with human touch

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In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksenova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Monika Golińska—a biochemist, cancer researcher, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow whose work bridges leading European institutions including the Medical University of Łódź and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.

Dr. Golińska shares her journey from early student exchanges to leading a cutting‑edge project investigating the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer through advanced spatial biology and photoacoustic imaging. She opens up about the realities of research mobility, the value of intersectoral experience in healthcare policy, and the challenges researchers face in building sustainable careers across borders.

Whether you're an early-career researcher considering mobility or a seasoned scientist navigating nonlinear career paths, this conversation offers insights, advice, and thoughtful reflections on the future of research in Europe.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Dr. Monika Golińska’s path into research and early motivations
• First experiences with international mobility and Erasmus exchanges
• Challenges of relocating: bureaucracy, adaptation, and institutional culture
• The impact and value of Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA)
• Intersectoral mobility: transitioning into the UK National Health Service
• Transferable skills between academia, healthcare, and policy
• Returning to academia and rekindling a passion for research
• Work-life balance for mobile researchers
• Career precarity, risk-taking, and planning next steps after fellowships
• Suggestions for more sustainable mobility programs
• The future of European mobility and support networks for researchers

⏱️ Detailed Timestamps & Guiding Questions

00:00 – 00:01 | Intro

00:53 – 01:18 | Guest Introduction

01:24 – 02:41 | Q1: “Tell us more about yourself and your career mobility.”

02:41 – 04:06 | Q2: “What was your first experience with research mobility?”

04:07 – 05:31 | Q3: “How challenging is adapting to a new country?”

05:31 – 07:00 | Q4: “What role do European mobility programs play?”

07:00 – 09:22 | Q5: “Have you experienced intersectoral mobility?”

09:22 – 11:20 | Q6: “What was the impact of working in healthcare?”

11:20 – 13:16 | Q7: “What drew you back to academia?”

13:16 – 15:00 | Q8: “How responsive is policy to research evidence?”

15:00 – 18:02 | Q9: “What are the opportunities and drawbacks of mobility programs?”

18:02 – 19:41 | Q10: “How can researchers deal with career uncertainty?”

19:41 – 21:25 | Q11: “How do we stay healthy during mobility?”

21:25 – 24:03 | Q12: “What’s the future of mobility in Europe?”

24:03 – 25:01 | Closing

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