Project Background

Research careers are often shaped early and can be difficult to redirect later, with many early-stage researchers (R1 and R2) in the EU facing challenges in navigating diverse career paths. Fragmented transitions between academia, industry, the public sector, and entrepreneurial ventures—along with the absence of cohesive frameworks—have hindered career mobility, skill development, and employability, particularly in fast-growing fields such as AI, digital transformation, and deep tech. NextTechTalents addresses these challenges by creating talent ecosystems that integrate these sectors, ensuring researchers gain the skills to transition between academia and non-academic environments, including entrepreneurial opportunities. By supporting researchers in building various skills, the project helps them commercialise innovations and pursue different ventures, contributing to a sustainable talent pool across the European Research Area.

NextTechTalents, aligned with the goals of the European Research Area, aims to create a robust and sustainable talent ecosystem, fostering talent circulation across sectors and enhancing employability and mobility. The project develops tailored career services, mentoring programs, and training modules based on the ResearchComp framework to equip researchers with the tools for both academic and non-academic pathways.

NextTechTalents, will create a comprehensive Handbook for HR managers and training providers within research and innovation organizations. This handbook will guide the integration of the NextTechTalents Training System, promote interdisciplinary skills acquisition, and strengthen collaboration across academia, industry, and entrepreneurial ventures. By addressing mobility, cross-sector employability, and inclusive career support, the project will help early-stage researchers thrive in evolving, competitive sectors.

Project Objectives

CONSOLIDATE

knowledge on limitations and barriers for early-stage researchers, including investment barriers, access to funds and capital, visibility, and partnerships creation.

ENHANCE

the employability and mobility of early-stage researchers through tailored training and mentorship programs, improving their alignment with labour market needs.

IMPLEMENT

and refine training systems and career development frameworks through real-world validation, feedback sessions, and continuous optimisation across organisations.

MAINSTREAM

the ResearchComp framework and the European Charter for researchers across all participating organisations in addition to promoting diversity and inclusiveness.

MAXIMISE

dissemination and exploitation of results through stakeholder engagement, partnerships, continuous online presence, events, and collaboration for lasting impact.

Project Facts

Duration

06/2025 to 09/2027

Programme

Horizon Europe

HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-02-03

HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

Grant ID

101217112

Coordinator

MINDS & SPARKS GmbH

Project Methodology

Context & Gaps

Gather and analyse existing tools, reports, and best practices to understand challenges in early-stage research careers. Engage stakeholders to map needs, skill gaps, and support barriers across sectors.

Service Framework Design

Co-create the Service Framework: an Action Plan for training delivery, a modular Training System on core skills, and a Training Package with multilingual resources for cross-sector career development.

Knowledge Hub

Launch the Knowledge Hub as the central access point for all materials. Support uptake though an Implementation Handbook with clear guidance, and examples for applying the Framework across organisations.

Roll out

Pilot training through workshops and webinars. Collect structured feedback to validate and refine content. Continuously improve resources to meet evolving needs and ensure relevance across sectors.

Project Impacts

ENHANCED

employability of early-stage researchers and improved sector interoperability through tailored skills training aligned with labour market needs, boosting career growth in digital and deep tech fields.

STRENGTHENED

connection between research training providers and labour market actors through EU-wide networks, fostering intersectoral mobility and expanding career opportunities for researchers.

IMPROVED

working conditions and career opportunities for early-stage researchers in the EU by aligning with the Charter for Researchers, enabling HR-led action plans and tools for cross-sector career growth.

INCREASED

attractiveness, diversity, and cross-sector competitiveness of research careers through local talent ecosystems, boosting scientific output and translating R&D into economic value.

WIDENED

access to excellence through open tools and training materials aligned with European standards, enabling R&I organisations to enhance quality, inclusiveness, and transferable skills development.

FOSTERED

inclusivity and gender equality in the European R&I system by applying Charter standards and tailored training, creating diverse, attractive, and innovation-driven research environments.

Project Structure

WP1 – MANAGE: Project Management, Consortium Coordination, Data & IPR, and Reporting

The main objective of WP1 is to ensure a successful launch, smooth project execution, coordination and management of consortium partners as well as tackling data-related issues, legal aspects and IPR management.

WP2 - AGGREGATE: Existing Policies, Publications, Studies, Project Outcomes, Relevant Stakeholders, and Requirements

The main objective of WP2 is to create a comprehensive knowledge base on early-stage research careers to inform evidence-based actions, reflect researchers’ real needs, and support effective policy and practice.

WP3 - ELABORATE: Action Plan, Training System, Materials & Video Lectures, and Implementation Handbook

The main objective of WP3 is to design tailored training and career services for early-stage researchers to support diverse career paths, aligned with EU principles and evolving labour market needs.

WP4 - ROLLOUT: Implementation Roadmap, Training, Workshops, Webinars, Validation, Participants Feedback and Optimisation

The main objective of WP4 is to roll out training and capacity-building activities with end-users and R&D partners to validate, refine, and ensure the practical impact of the NextTechTalents system across Europe.

WP5 – PROMOTE: Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication, Networking, and Policy Briefs

The main objective of WP5 is to maximise long-term impact through communication, dissemination, and exploitation via events, publications, and digital channels targeting relevant stakeholders and organisations.

Project Deliverables

  • D2.1 Policies, recommendations and best practices report
  • D2.4 Structured collection spreadsheets and compilation
  • D3.2 NextTechTalents Training System and curricula with focus on early-stage researchers
  • D3.3 NextTechTalents Implementation Handbook (i)
  • D3.4 NextTechTalents Implementation Handbook (ii)
  • D5.2 Policy briefing and networking report (i)
  • D5.4 Policy briefing and networking report (ii)