GSF-23 “Stimulating science–business links in the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries”
The GSF-23 “Stimulating science–business links in the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries” is a European Commission initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between research and industry across the EaP region including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It supports closer integration of these countries into the European Research Area and aims to strengthens their participation in Horizon Europe.
About the Project
The Global Service Facility (GSF) is a European Commission framework mechanism for the period 2022–2027, implemented by a consortium of agencies coordinated by DLR Projektträger as lead contractor, to support the delivery of the EU’s Global Approach to Research and Innovation. It helps translate the European Commission’s Global Approach strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation into concrete action by strengthening bilateral, multilateral and bi-regional policy dialogues with third countries and regions, while also addressing barriers and creating new opportunities for deeper global co-operation.
The GSF-23 “Stimulating science–business links in the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries” is a European Commission initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between research and industry across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It supports the closer integration of these countries into the European Research Area and strengthens their participation in Horizon Europe. Science–business collaboration is essential for accelerating innovation, strengthening competitiveness and ensuring that research results are translated into market-ready solutions with societal and economic impact. Inter-sectoral collaboration between the science and business communities in the five Eastern Partnership (EaP) Partner countries plays an important role in driving research and innovation and boosting competitiveness and therefore requires sustained support. In line with the 2020 Joint Communication on the Eastern Partnership and the Communication on the Global Approach to Research and Innovation, the new post-2020 EaP priorities in research and innovation aim, among other things, to foster science–business links (SBLs) in the five EaP Partner countries.
The project combines evidence-based analysis, policy recommendations and practical cooperation activities to improve the functioning of science–business linkages (SBLs) in the EaP region. It engages key stakeholders from the academic, public and private sectors to foster sustainable research and innovation ecosystems and cross-border collaboration.
Outline of key activities
01
Status Quo Analysis of Science–Business Linkages and Policy Recommendations
This task assesses the current state of science–business linkages (SBLs), its barriers/gaps and policy recommendations to strengthen SBLs across the five Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
The task will result in a structured analytical report presenting country-level findings, cross-regional comparison and targeted policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration between research and business and to support closer integration into the European Research Area (ERA).
The report is drafted using both qualitative (desk and interviews with country stakeholders covering policy, academia and industry) and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. An example of quantitative indicators will include data from PATSTAT, CORDIS, OpenAlex and Crunchbase in the following areas of SBLs: industry science intensity, industry participation in Horizon Europe, university-industry collaboration and commercialisation.
02
Study visit to Austria
The study visit “Strengthening science–business collaboration for resilience and competitiveness in the EaP Partner countries”, to be held in Austria on 7–11 September 2026, will provide an opportunity for stakeholders from the EaP Partner countries to explore science–business collaboration and related support mechanisms in practice in an EU Member State. Through meetings with the EU Representation in Austria, ministries, research and innovation funding agencies, universities and companies participating in Horizon Europe, participants will gain insight into concrete policy approaches, support instruments and successful models of science–business collaboration that link academia and industry and contribute to increased participation in Horizon Europe and other EU programmes. A visit to the Representation of the European Commission to the Republic of Austria will be as well offered.
Austria’s R&I key highlights
Austria is among the medium-sized EU Member States, with a population of 9.2 million (Statistik Austria, 1 January 2025). Its research community is concentrated primarily in the public sector, particularly in universities. Research, technology and innovation constitute a central pillar of Austria’s economic and location policy. The Austrian R&I ecosystem is characterised by a complex structure and strong performance in science and productivity, as reflected in the international recognition of Austrian R&I achievements. A particularly distinctive feature is the long-standing and robust science–business collaboration, which serves as a bridge between basic research and practical application. According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025 (EIS), Austria is classified as a ‘Strong Innovator’. Austria performs above the EU average in research and development (R&D) expenditure, particularly in gross domestic expenditure on R&D, government budget allocations for R&D and business enterprise R&D expenditure. Austria’s R&D expenditure accounted for 3.35% of GDP in 2024 (Statistics Austria, 2025).
Austria has also achieved strong results in Horizon Europe, securing EUR 1.68 billion in funding by the beginning of 2026. According to the European Commission’s Horizon Europe country profile for Austria, Austria ranks ninth among the 27 EU Member States. Austrian companies and research institutions are particularly active in Horizon Europe Pillar II, especially in Cluster 4 “Digital, Industry and Space” and Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility”. Beyond Pillar II, they also show strong participation in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Objective of the study visit
The overall objective of the study visit to Austria is to explore the national policy and implementation framework for promoting science–business collaboration, including relevant European Research Area (ERA) structural policies for 2025–2027, with a particular focus on “Upscaling knowledge valorisation capacities and activities”. The visit will also examine approaches to increasing the participation of private companies in Horizon Europe and other European Union funding programmes, such as the Digital Europe Programme, the Single Market Programme and Creative Europe. In addition, it will facilitate peer learning on SBLs by bringing together EaP representatives from policy, research and business with counterparts in Austria to exchange experience and practical lessons.
Key elements of the programme
01
High-level policy sessions on national policies and strategies supporting science–business collaboration at national level and facilitating it within the framework of Horizon Europe, with a particular focus on increasing the participation of private entities and presenting possible collaboration schemes targeting the EaP Partner countries.
02
Meetings with national agencies responsible for supporting participation in Horizon Europe and implementing science–business collaboration funding programmes, in order to understand their mandates, instruments and service portfolios.
03
Visits to leading universities and research institutes, with a focus on technology transfer, intellectual property management, collaboration with private companies, and the governance and administration of EU-funded projects.
04
Visits to innovative companies and start-ups actively participating in national or EU research and innovation framework programmes, in order to showcase concrete examples of successful science–business collaboration and participation in Horizon Europe.
05
Targeted Horizon Europe sessions with National Contact Points (NCPs) and experienced project coordinators, focusing on clusters, missions and partnerships of particular relevance to the EaP countries, including practical guidance on proposal preparation and consortium-building.
The delegation for the study visit will consist of up to 20 representatives from ministries, public authorities, universities, research-performing organisations and private companies. The selection and registration process for the study visit will be organised shortly. The detailed agenda will be shared with the selected participants. The European Commission will take the final decision on the selection of all participants in the study visit.
03
Matchmaking Event “Science–Business Dialogues”
The matchmaking event “Science–Business Dialogues”, planned for the first half of 2027, will provide a structured platform for stakeholders from the EaP Partner countries and EU Member States to establish concrete cooperation partnerships in the area of science–business collaboration. The event will be organised as a one-day, in-person meeting, either as a stand-alone event or as a side event linked to an existing Horizon Europe brokerage or networking activity, subject to agreement with the European Commission.
Through a combination of plenary sessions, targeted stakeholder pitches and facilitated matchmaking meetings, participants will engage in focused exchanges aimed at developing concrete collaboration ideas, consortium partnerships and follow-up actions. The event builds on the analytical findings of Task 1 and the peer-learning outcomes of the study visit to Austria, translating them into practical cooperation opportunities, particularly in relation to participation in Horizon Europe and other EU programmes.
Objective of the study visit
The overall objective of the matchmaking event “Science–Business Dialogues” is to support the development of concrete cooperation partnerships between stakeholders from the EaP Partner countries and EU Member States in the area of science–business collaboration, including practical links to Horizon Europe and other European Union funding programmes, such as the Digital Europe Programme, the Single Market Programme and Creative Europe. The event will focus on identifying collaboration opportunities, facilitating consortium-building and advancing project ideas aligned with relevant Horizon Europe clusters, missions and partnerships. In addition, it will support structured exchange on SBLs by bringing together EaP representatives from policy, research and business with EU counterparts to explore concrete areas for cooperation, exchange experience and define follow-up actions.
Key elements of the programme
01
Concise plenary session setting the policy and cooperation context, including the role of science–business collaboration in Horizon Europe and EU–EaP cooperation.
02
Short, targeted pitches by EaP and EU participants presenting organisational profiles, expertise and concrete collaboration ideas aligned with relevant Horizon Europe topics.
03
Structured matchmaking sessions based on pre-identified interests and thematic clustering, enabling focused one-to-one or small-group meetings between participants.
04
Facilitated networking and brokerage activities to support consortium-building and partnership development beyond generic networking formats.
05
Participation of key ecosystem actors, including National Contact Points (NCPs), the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), clusters and other multipliers, in order to strengthen the quality and relevance of EU participation.
06
Systematic capture of meeting outcomes, including identified cooperation opportunities, next steps and support needs, using simple templates and post-event consolidation.
The delegation for the matchmaking event will follow a similar logic to that of the study visit and will consist of up to 20 representatives from ministries, public authorities, universities, research-performing organisations and private companies.
The European Commission will cover travel costs, accommodation and daily allowances for three participants from each of the five EaP countries. Additional participants may join the matchmaking event at their own expense. The selection and registration process for the matchmaking event will be organised in the second half of 2026. The detailed agenda will be shared with the selected participants. The European Commission will take the final decision on the selection of all participants in the study visit.
News & Updates
This section will present updates on project activities, events and results as they become available.
Service Delivery Team
GSF-23 “Stimulating science–business links in the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries” is commissioned by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium of experienced European organisations:
Germany’s leading research and project management organisation, with strong expertise in international R&I cooperation, programme management and science–business support in the EaP region. As the lead partner, DLR is responsible for the overall coordination and strategic oversight of the project, ensuring the coherent implementation of activities and alignment with the objectives of the assignment.
Key representatives: Annette Angermann (General Management), Matthias Wurch (Project Management and Quality Assurance).
A leading consultancy in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with strong experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement and support for Horizon Europe applicants. Civitta will lead the country-level qualitative data collection and analysis for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine. Civitta is also responsible for stakeholder identification and preparation for the study visit, as well as for supporting the delivery of the matchmaking event.
Key representatives: Sander van der Molen (Scientific Management), Ivanna Didur (Reporting and EaP Stakeholder Support).
A private non-profit research institute focused on social innovation, international R&I cooperation, evaluation and science–society dialogue, with strong experience in the Eastern Partnership region. ZSI is responsible for the provision and implementation of the study visit, including coordination with host organisations and delivery of the programme.
Key representatives: Inese Gavarane (Study Visit Coordination), Goradz Weiss (Methodology and Advisory Support).
An international research and consulting organisation specialising in science, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship policies, with strong analytical and methodological expertise. Technopolis is responsible for the Report on the Status quo of science-business links (SBLs) in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, identification of gaps and developing recommendations. This includes leading the overall methodology, quantitative data collection and analysis, synthesis, and drafting of the report.
Key representatives: Anastasiia Konstantynova (Principal Consultant and Report Lead), Edgar Salas Girones (Senior Consultant and Quantitative Lead).
A Brussels-based event agency with long-standing experience in organising conferences, exhibitions and hybrid events for European institutions. WMH Project will be responsible for the full logistical organisation and coordination of the study visit and the matchmaking event, including venue management, participant registration, and travel and accommodation arrangements.
Key representatives: Linda Goldery (Event Coordination), Fatoumata Sylla (Logistics Support).
Together, the partners bring complementary expertise in research and innovation policy, project management, stakeholder engagement, event delivery and science–business cooperation across Europe and the Eastern Partnership region.