Turning ERA policy into real impact
NextTechTalents is bridging the gap between academia and industry by empowering early-stage researchers through structured career pathways, digital innovation, and capacity-building activities. By aligning with the European Charter for Researchers, the project transforms policy into practice to foster a more connected and future-ready innovation ecosystem across Europe. This article dives into the recent and upcoming project activities in the context of the European Research Area (ERA) and how the project plays a very important role in strengthening Europe’s deep tech and AI workforce.
Understanding the ERA Dimension of Horizon Europe
How does the ERA translate from a high-level policy vision into real-world funding and career opportunities?
As part of the EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast, Damir Haskovic, Dr. (MINDS & SPARKS GmbH), the project coordinator of NextTechTalents, and project partner Kārlis Krēsliņš (Ventspils Augstskola / Ventspils University of Applied Sciences) explore how ERA actions support funding success, systemic change, and stronger participation from widening countries.
From the “secret sauce” of a competitive WIDERA proposal to first-hand lessons from NextTechTalents, the episode “Understanding the ERA Dimension of Horizon Europe: Strategies, Insights & Real Project Experiences” explores how these frameworks are driving systemic reform across Europe. Our projects partners unpack the core pillars of the ERA and their direct influence on the Horizon Europe landscape. Tune in to learn how to navigate the ERA logic, avoid common application pitfalls, and leverage EU actions to build a more connected and impactful research career.
Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/episodes/18873583
Deep tech, AI and future generations
At the upcoming Cluj Innovation Days, NextTechTalents partners will be involved in the conversation from high-level AI strategy to practical implementation, with a primary focus on people, skills, and the future of work. As the EU moves forward with the Artificial Intelligence Act, this is an important event to highlight that success depends on a workforce capable of navigating a digital-first economy.
Moderated by Dr. Damir Haskovic (NextTechTalents), the “Deep Tech, AI and Future Generations” panel at Cluj Innovation Days 2026 will explore the transformative power of technological breakthroughs on society. The aim is to move the discussion beyond simple technology usage, focusing instead on empowering the next generation to lead as researchers and innovators. By bridging the gap between industry, policy, and academia, this session serves as a vital platform for the NextTechTalents mission: fostering responsible innovation and building visibility for high-impact deep tech careers.
Key Themes:
- Redefining the Future: Analysing how AI and deep tech influence societal evolution across generations.
- Human-AI Synergy: Investigating the long-term implications of the evolving interaction with intelligent systems.
- Leadership over Literacy: Equipping young talent to be the creators and leaders of technology, not just its consumers.
- Ecosystem Integration: Utilising the event as a catalyst to connect research frameworks with real-world industrial impact.
Find out more about the agenda: https://clujinnovationdays.com/
Author: MINDS & SPARKS
Links
Cluj Innovation Days 2026: https://clujinnovationdays.com/
EURAXESS Smart Talks: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1998474/episodes/18873583
Keywords
Cluj, ERA, EURAXESS, Deep Tech, WIDERA, Horizon, Early-stage Researchers, Tech Entrepreneurship, EU Strategy
