Project Overview
Early-stage researchers in Europe often struggle to navigate diverse career paths due to fragmented support systems, limited mobility opportunities, and a lack of cohesive frameworks connecting academia, industry, the public sector, and entrepreneurship. These challenges are amplified in rapidly evolving deep tech fields such as AI and digital transformation.
NextTechTalents addresses these gaps by creating a sustainable talent ecosystem that strengthens employability, mobility, and skills development for early-stage researchers.The project develops tailored training modules, mentoring programmes, and career services based on the ResearchComp framework, enabling researchers to build both scientific and transferable skills relevant across sectors.
A central output is an Implementation Handbook for HR managers and training providers, offering guidance on integrating the NextTechTalents Training System within research and innovation organisations. By supporting talent circulation and inclusive career development, the project contributes to a stronger, more competitive European Research Area.
Key Activities
- Mapping & Analysis: Identify barriers and career challenges for early-stage researchers, particularly at the intersection of research and industry.
- Training & Mentorship: Co-create tailored training programs and mentorship based on the ResearchComp competence framework.
- Modular Training System: Develop a modular training system delivered through workshops, webinars, and pilot testing — continuously refined through feedback.
- HR Handbook: Produce an implementation handbook for HR teams and training providers to adopt the NextTechTalents system.
- Dissemination & Policy Engagement: Mobilize the research and innovation community via stakeholder events, policy briefings, and digital outreach.
Key Objectives
- Consolidate evidence on the challenges that early-stage researchers face (mobility, skills, visibility).
- Enhance the employability and cross-sector mobility of early-stage researchers via mentoring and training.
- Implement & Validate the training system in real-world scenarios and improve it through iterative feedback.
- Mainstream the ResearchComp framework and align with the European Charter for Researchers.
- Maximise Impact: ensure broad uptake through dissemination, partnerships, and long-term exploitation.
Project Consortium
NextTechTalents brings together 8 partners from 5 countries: Austria, Romania, Slovenia, Latvia, and Ireland.
- MINDS & SPARKS GmbH (Austria) – Coordinator
- Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) (Romania)
- Cluj IT Cluster (Romania)
- Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia)
- Munster Technological University (Ireland)
- Impact Hub Liepāja (Latvia)
- Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia (Slovenia) i
Impact & Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced career mobility and employability for early-stage researchers across academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial paths.
- A sustainable cross-sector talent ecosystem that strengthens Europe’s deep-tech innovation capacity.
- Modular training resources (video lectures, guides, mentoring) grounded in the ResearchComp framework.
- A practical implementation handbook for HR and training providers to adopt the system.
- Increased visibility and alignment of institutional policies with the European Charter for Researchers.
