Poziv | Call for EUPeace Research Hubs

Background

EUPeace is the European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies. Our mission is to provide tomorrow’s citizens with the skills, knowledge, and experience to cultivate Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies. We explicitly address all sciences and fields, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural and life sciences as well as engineering, and are inspired by the rebuilt bridge of Mostar – the symbol in our logo – as a testament to how dialogue can overcome conflict. EUPeace is about strengthening the enabling conditions for peace: understanding them better through research, nurturing them actively through education, and fostering them broadly through societal outreach and innovative practices.
EUPeace responds to societal challenges by building world-class Research Hubs from existing scholarly strengths. With the Research Hubs, EUPeace contributes to enriching and strengthening the European Research Area with a transdisciplinary approach to peace, justice and inclusive societies. Thus EUPeace highly contributes to dealing with global challenges - always in dialogue with society. The Research Hubs build on the synergies of EUPeace universities to foster research and research-based teaching with an attention to bringing in all subject areas of the alliance. The Research Hubs are intended as long-term structures, the first phase of activities should be completed by October 2027.

Two Research Hubs are already active: 

• Research Hub on Security and Conflict Transformation 

• Research Hub on Climate Science and Just Transition 

This call is launched to create at least 3 additional EUPeace Research Hubs.

Timeline

15/04/2024 – 15/05/2024 (12 pm CEST): call open
16/05/2024 – 10/06/2024: review phase by EUPeace Steering Committee
11/06/2024: decision by EUPeace Governing Board

Role & tasks of Research Hubs

The Research Hubs are the central structures within EUPeace dealing with research, development and innovation. Their overall goal is to create excellent inter- and transdisciplinary research. Their activities should also be geared to Master and Doctoral students. They will be supported by a work package team, providing a framework and setting overall conditions for specific activities. Activities will be implemented and carried out through the hubs. The hubs will organise their work independently. 

Specific activities to be implemented: 

• Take turns hosting regular mobile (blended/hybrid) interdisciplinary seminars 
• Host annual Research Impact Conferences (one annual conference for the entire alliance, led by one or several Research Hubs cooperating together) 
• Identify and support innovative research-based teaching methods flowing back into teaching 
• Support the creation of Creative Spaces – larger and more flexible than the hubs (strongly trans-disciplinary think tanks for the development of innovative and creative ideas for the future and for the exchange between scientific disciplines) 
• Implement an EUPeace Fellowship programme 
• Establish an Early Career Network and an EUPeace Doctoral Network 

The hubs will pursue additional activities as they see fit – they are encouraged to seek additional funding opportunities. 

After the hubs are created, up to 5 young/senior researchers per university will be able to join each hub and contribute to them. Participation in each Research Hub will be limited to 50 persons, a Speaker and a Substitute will be designated by each hub. It is expected that hubs will meet online at least 4 times per year. The Coordination Office of EUPeace will support the work of the hubs. Direct budget is available for the organisation of conferences and the hybrid seminars. Budget for other activities is limited – each university will provide additional details on available funding.

Evaluation criteria & process

The EUPeace Governing Board will choose the top 3 proposals. Should there be more than 3 high quality proposals, the Governing Board may decide to create more Research Hubs – keeping in mind the limited funding available. 

Prerequisite: Only complete applications according to the call will be considered.

• Can the proposal be implemented? Do the applicants have expertise? Is the implementation plan feasible? 10 points 
   
• Does the proposal fit EUPeace, its goals, aims and activities, e.g. does it build research competencies and opportunities within the network, does it generate impact in terms of advancing knowledge addressing societal challenges, does it provide opportunities to collaborate with other research hubs within EUPeace, and is there a potential for collaboration with other external institutions and actors? 30 points 
   
• Does the proposal fit the current European research agenda and profile/expertise of the universities? 30 points 
   
• Are researchers at different career stages involved in the application? Do the planned activities address researchers at different career stages? Is the proposed team diverse and does it have a reasonable gender balance? 10 points 

The proposals will be received by the Coordination Office of EUPeace checking whether they are complete. The review will be prepared by the EUPeace Steering Committee. The proposals together with feedback from the review will be sent to the EUPeace Governing Board representing all 9 universities for a final decision.

Application

The call is open to young/senior researchers of all 9 EUPeace universities. 

Send the completed expression of interest to info@eupeace.eu by 15 May 2024, 12 pm CEST. 

The decision on the additional EUPeace Research Hubs will be published by 15 June 2024, all applicants will be informed separately.

Download the Call for Research Hubs as PDF here.