Call for Applications: Eu-SPRI Early Career Researcher Scheme

 

Submission Deadline: 11th June 2026

The Eu-SPRI Forum is pleased to invite applications for its Early Career and PhD Researcher Circulation Scheme, designed to support short and long-term mobility between member institutions across Europe.

This scheme offers a unique opportunity for doctoral candidates (in their second year or beyond) and early career researchers (within 36 months of completing their PhD) to undertake research visits at partner organisations, collaborate with leading scholars in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy, gain exposure to new institutional and national research environments, and advance their academic and professional development.

Two visit options are available: short-term mobility (minimum 1 month) and regular mobility (minimum 3 months).

Applicants must be affiliated with an Eu-SPRI member institution, with the host and home institutions located in different national systems and their research topics must relate to STI policy, innovation processes or entrepreneurship with policy relevance.

Applications should include a completed application form, a CV, letters or emails of support from host and home supervisors, and one additional academic reference.

All submissions should be sent to: Debbie.cox@manchester.ac.uk.

Successful applicants will be notified within one month of submission.

We encourage all eligible researchers to apply and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to expand their networks and enrich their research. For full guidelines and application materials click the link below:

Application guidelines Early Career & PhD Circulation Programme – EUSPRI

Call for Abstracts – Eu-SPRI 2026 Conference, Valencia

Call for Abstracts – Eu-SPRI 2026 Conference, Valencia

The Eu‑SPRI 2026 Conference invites extended abstracts (1,000–2,500 words) for contributions exploring the theme “Questioning the contributions of Science and Innovation to Society.”

Rapid technological change, societal challenges, and the emerging ‘normative turn’ in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy call for renewed reflection on how research and innovation shape society—positively and negatively.

Submissions may address any of the 22 thematic tracks or the Open Track, spanning areas such as governance, policy instruments, social innovation, AI, evaluation, and sectoral transformations. Full track descriptions and the submission portal are available via ConfTool.

Submission deadline (final, non‑extendable): 16 February 2026.

For support, contact: euspri2026@conftool.com.

Full call details Call for Abstracts and Papers – EUSPRI 2026

Eu-SPRI Forum Exploration Scheme Call for Proposals 2026/2027

The Eu-SPRI Forum Exploration Scheme invites proposals for 2026/2027 to support new or neglected science, technology, research, and innovation (SPRI) themes through a staged process involving position papers, workshops and research agenda development. Two projects will be funded, one open theme and one linked to the 2027 Vaasa conference on transformative innovation in times of tensions, exploring critical intersections of STI and security policy.

 • Exploration Scheme stages: The process includes submitting a thematic position paper, producing a background paper, organising an international workshop or conference, and delivering a conceptual paper with a research agenda. Follow-up publications are encouraged but not funded

• Funding details: Up to two projects will be sponsored with a maximum of 20,000 EUR each, covering networking costs such as event organisation, travel, and dissemination. Salaries or honoraria are not funded and activities must be hosted by Eu-SPRI member organisations.

Proposals must involve at least three Eu-SPRI member organisations located in at least three different countries. Participants from non-member organisations: Cannot act as coordinator of the initiative. Cannot constitute more than one-third of the total participants. The length of the activity should be between 12 and 24 months, counting from the official start date agreed with the Eu-SPRI Forum Secretariat.

• Eligibility criteria: Proposals must involve at least three Eu-SPRI member organisations from different countries, with non-members limited in role and number. Project duration should be 12 to 24 months, and themes must be relevant to the Eu-SPRI network. 

• Application requirements: Submissions must include a thematic position paper outlining key questions, relevance, and background; team CVs; justification for non-member participation; a plan and budget for the workshop; and a communication and impact plan targeting policy actors and funding bodies.

• Evaluation criteria: Proposals will be assessed on quality, clarity, feasibility, novelty, potential to mobilise communities, added value, collaboration prospects, inclusion and support for early-career researchers. The Vaasa-linked project requires coordination with the University of Vaasa.

• Award conditions: Successful applicants must sign a Letter of Intent, deliver the background paper, research agenda, a synthesis report and present finding sat the Eu-SPRI Annual Conference. Follow-up activities should be communicated to the Forum.

• Thematic focus: One project is open in theme, while the other is connected to the 2027 Eu-SPRI Forum conference in Vaasa, focusing on security and STI policy in unstable times, requiring pre-submission coordination.

• Contact information: Queries and proposals should be directed to Debbie Cox at the Eu-SPRI Forum Secretariat via email.

Full details of the call: Call Exploration Scheme 2026 2027

Deadline 20th March 2026

Contact for Vaasa is Helka Kalliomaki.