The Widening News

A Budapest university that is not affected by the EU block on funds has received emails from worried grant partners after an unclear message was posted on the EU’s funding portal

The 2023 Regional Competitiveness Index placed Romania last, but those working to boost innovation in its regions believe the future could now be in their own hands

Poland has taken a lead role in coordinating international support for Ukranian scientists. As a result, new bonds have been forged between the two countries and research cooperation has strengthened   

Hopes are that partnering with nearby neighbours in Poland and Slovakia will help all three border regions increase their potential

Regional competitiveness is above the EU average in all regions in Austria, Benelux, Germany and the Nordic member states. In contrast, most regions in eastern Europe score below the EU average

It provides a stop gap, but some researchers in Hungary have expressed concerns to Science|Business that this substitute fund is papering over cracks rather than solving underlying rule of law issues

Science|Business has analysed position papers submitted to the European Commission’s Horizon Europe consultation, to assess if the Widening programme is delivering on its aim of bridging the east-west research and innovation gap

With $200 million to invest in start-ups and scale-ups, Taiwan’s Central and Eastern Europe Investment Fund is becoming a significant force in the region

Probe starts after opposition MPs raise concerns over allocation of funds in a call for digital innovations co-financed with EU money. The National Centre for Research and Development promises full cooperation

Parliamentary approval is needed for the change, but it is hoped the move will help get projects from research to market - and give a much needed boost to the country’s start-up scene