The support net is in place, but challenges remain

Early-stage researchers (ESRs) are central to Europe’s knowledge and innovation system. They are instrumental in the homogenous adoption of new, frontier technologies such as AI, quantum technologies, Deep Learning, Deep Tech.

In the process of implementing the NextTechTalents objectives, we have started with the comprehensive mapping of the current initiatives and developments regarding ESRs. Identifying the best practices, and most importantly, the gaps and obstacles impeding the career development of ESRs, is indispensable for the design and implementation of training and career services specifically tailored for ESRs. The framework for ensuring a steady and continuous upgrade of the ESRs’ capabilities, employability and career sustainability is the ResearchComp framework – an instrument that can ensure the alignment of all member states towards excellence in research.

A preview

Although it is an activity „in progress”, we can already present our early findings.

In this article, we will concentrate on the regional/national level, leaving the analysis of the European Union level as the subject for one of our next Knowledge articles.

EU Member States translate the European Research Area (ERA) priorities into national strategies, competitive funding instruments, and institutional reforms that sustain doctoral and postdoctoral careers, foster mobility, and strengthen intersectoral collaboration. Regional strategies, such as Smart Specialisation (S3), further support industrial doctorates and university – industry partnerships.

We can give brief examples of such national approaches in the countries of the NextTechTalent project consortium.

In Romania, we have a funder – the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI – Unitatea Executivă pentru Finanțarea Învățământului Superior, Cercetării, Dezvoltării și Inovării) under the National R&D and Innovation Plan (PNCDI). Funding schemes such as Young Research Teams (TE- Tinere Echipe) issue starter grants for ESRs which can produce solid enough research projects. There are also calls and grants for Postdoctoral projects (PD), as well as mobility and reintegration measures. The focus of these schemes is to ensure the independence for early-career PIs and integration in the ERA.

In Austria the main funders are: Austrian Science Fund (FWF – Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung) and Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG – Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH). Key schemes are: ESPRIT (PI independence, optional intersectoral mobility) and doc.funds / doc.funds.connect, centered on providing structured doctoral training, including joint University– Fachhochschulen (University for Applied Sciences – UAS) schools. The focus of these schemes is career independence and collaborative doctoral schools.

In Ireland, the main funders (as of 2025) are: Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann – a merger of Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The structure is functional within the framework provided by Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy and the Irish National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. Funding schemes consist of IRC fellowships and SFI structured PI and leadership programmes. The focus is on ensuring sustainable research careers, interdisciplinarity, intersectoral mobility, gender equality, and alignment with green/digital transitions.

In Slovenia the main funder is the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS – Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovativno dejavnost Republike Slovenije). The flagship funding scheme is the Young Researchers Programme (Mladi raziskovalci) — ensuring salaried PhD training in excellent research groups. The focus is long-term integration of doctoral candidates.

In Latvia, the main funders are the Latvian Council of Science (LZP – Latvijas Zinātnes padome) and the State Education Development Agency (VIAA – Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra) which manage ERDF/ESF measures. The main schemes are Postdoctoral Research Grants and ERDF Post-doctoral Research Aid. As of the academic year 2025/2026, a new performance-based doctoral funding model was implemented, consisting of performance-based allocation of doctoral study places and 11-months financial support schemes for doctoral students. The focus is the strengthening of the quality of doctoral studies and financial sustainability for the ESRs.

Initial insights

What could be the main takeaways after this initial assessment of the existing ERS landscape?

On one hand, we see that national policies remain diverse, but converge around independence, mobility, and interdisciplinarity for ESRs. The structural reforms implemented in the consortium states illustrate momentum toward sustainable career pathways.

On the other hand, we witness the way challenges remain. Progress in adopting these initiatives varies across EU Member States. Countries such as France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Sweden have fully embraced the European Framework for Research Careers and integrated the 2023 Revised Charter into national policy. Others, including Romania, Latvia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Poland, are in the process of aligning their systems but have yet to fully integrate the ResearchComp framework.

This uneven implementation highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and support, particularly for countries with less mature research systems.

Progress in adopting ResearchComp initiatives varies across EU Member States. Countries such as France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Sweden have fully embraced the European Framework for Research Careers and integrated the 2023 Revised Charter into national policy. Others, including Romania, Latvia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Poland, are in the process of aligning their systems but have yet to fully integrate the ResearchComp framework.