Strengthening the Capacity of Widening Universities within the EUTOPIA_HEALTH Consortium to Promote Academic Excellence in Health
General Information
- Programme: PNCDI IV – Programme 5.8 – European and International Cooperation / Horizon Europe Institutional Awards
- Project Code: PN-IV-P8-8.1-PRE-HE-ORG-2024-0254
- Contract No.: 103PHE/2025
- Implementation Period: 01.08.2025 – 31.12.2027
- Project Director: Prof. dr. Bálint Markó
Project Description
The Premiere EUTOPIA_HEALTH project aims to strengthen the institutional research capacity of Babeș-Bolyai University in the field of health and to increase the university’s international competitiveness. The initiative is aligned with the UBB strategic programme, the UBB Q-Optimum Programme (2024–2029), and European policies addressing disparities between “Widening” countries and advanced research ecosystems within the Horizon Europe framework.
The project builds upon and expands the results achieved within the EUTOPIA_HEALTH initiative and integrates into the UBBMed framework programme, contributing to the development of an interdisciplinary approach to health. The health domain is addressed broadly, encompassing areas such as clinical psychology, oncobiology, public health, health economics, environmental health, and related disciplines.
The project focuses on the following strategic directions:
- increasing the capacity to attract European research funding;
- strengthening and expanding collaboration networks with EUTOPIA alliance partners and global partners;
- supporting early career researchers, in line with CoARA principles;
- developing the research and innovation ecosystem through citizen science initiatives.
Project Objectives
O1. Strengthening the university’s capacity to develop high-quality human resources in health-related research
O2. Enhancing the university’s competitiveness in the field of health
To achieve these objectives, the project implements activities such as:
- training sessions and workshops on Horizon Europe proposal writing;
- thematic workshops and exchange of best practices with EUTOPIA partners;
- job shadowing activities and research mobility;
- development of institutional infrastructure in the health domain;
- promotion of participatory research through citizen science initiatives.
These actions contribute to strengthening the national RDI system and improving Romania’s participation in the Horizon Europe programme.
Activities and Results
Phase 1: Research Infrastructure Development (01.08.2025 – 31.12.2025)
During the first implementation phase, the project focused on developing institutional infrastructure and supporting interdisciplinary health research.
Development of Interdisciplinary Laboratories
High-performance research equipment was acquired for the STEM laboratory complex dedicated to health, developed in collaboration with the Faculties of Biology and Geology, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Physics.
These investments support:
- interdisciplinary research development;
- increased institutional competitiveness;
- training of early career researchers;
- expansion of innovation capacity in health-related research.
Seed Grants for PhD Students
In October 2025, the first annual competition was launched to award internal grants for PhD students conducting research in the health domain.
The following funding was awarded:
- 3 grants of 5,000 RON each, dedicated to the purchase of laboratory consumables and materials.
The beneficiaries were PhD students from the doctoral schools of:
- Physics
- Integrative Biology
- Chemical Engineering
The funded projects addressed research topics in biophysics, biology, and biomaterials science.
Capacity Building for Accessing European Funding (2026)
On 25–26 March 2026, the training session
“Proposal Writing for Horizon Europe RIA/IA (Pillar 2)”
was organized.
The event targeted early career researchers interested in calls under Pillar II of the Horizon Europe programme and was delivered by an external consultant with over 20 years of experience.
Results:
- 23 early career researchers participated;
- enhanced skills in writing competitive proposals;
- improved understanding of the Excellence, Impact, and Implementation sections;
- hands-on exercises and case studies;
- increased institutional capacity to participate in European research projects.
Project Impact
Through its implemented activities, the project contributes to:
- strengthening research capacity in the health domain;
- developing high-quality human resources;
- increasing UBB’s international competitiveness;
- expanding collaborations within the EUTOPIA alliance;
- improving participation in the Horizon Europe programme.