D7.5. Sustainability strategy - 1st version.

Abstract

With a strong focus on building strong partnerships, and effective exploitation of project outcomes, the sustainability strategy for the RUN-EU PLUS project includes actions to be undertaken during the project (version 1, M24) and after the end of the project (version 2, M36). The establishment of joint governance and management systems greatly contributes to ensuring the sustainability of the project, fostering synergies within the alliance and the complementarity in relation to the RUN European University (Erasmus+ project). Supporting the dual goal of further cooperation in R&I and the sustainability of the Professional Practice-based Research Degrees, the sustainability strategy will also include recommendations to national and European policymakers and other stakeholders, supported by concrete instruments such as a cost-benefit analysis, and suggested strategies to overcome barriers, such as response to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and impacts. RUN-EU PLUS WP3 (Common Research and Innovation Agenda) has developed an Action Plan for validation and accreditation, and an Economic Resource/ Impact Assessment Model to analyse the added-value, resource model and cost-benefit model to support and enhance conditions for the future sustainability of the project’s outputs with a focus on the Professional Practice-based Research Degrees. Upon project completion, an Innovation Impact and Scaling Potential Report will analyse the innovation potential and scalability of the Professional Practice-based Research Degrees, including the potential for synergy with other trans-European initiatives. The Sustainability Strategy of RUN-EU PLUS will also contribute and benefit from the actions planned in the RUN-EU alliance, namely: enlargement of the network to other HEIs in other countries, engagement of additional associated partners to expand the capability and relevance of the alliance in terms of its educational and research offer, plan for the realisation of the 10-year vision of the alliance for the creation of a Multinational European Zone for Interregional Development applying a quadruple helix approach. The Sustainability Strategy for the RUN-EU PLUS project is presented in 2 reports at M24 and M36 of the project. The strategy will describe the best practices and recommendations to ensure the operational and financial sustainability of the RUN-EU PLUS Practice-based master’s and Doctoral Programmes beyond the lifetime of the RUN-EU PLUS project. This first report (D7.5 Sustainability Strategy) represents the first version of the sustainability strategy for the RUN-EU PLUS project. It describes the strategic plan to ensure the continuation and further development of cooperation in Research & Innovation (R&I) and the sustainability and development of Professional Practice-based Research degrees. This initial sustainability report D7.5 Sustainability Strategy – 1st version 6 presents the first version of the concrete methodology for actions which support the project’s sustainability to be undertaken during the project. D7.6 Sustainability Strategy is the final sustainability and development strategy which will be made available at the end of the project. It will approve the main conclusions and recommendations to national and European policymakers on cost-benefit analysis, identification of the main barriers and suggestions, including the main strategies and methodological approaches to respond to operational and financial challenges which may arise. The final conclusions in terms of identification of the main barriers to the development of Professional Practice-based Research Degrees, the policy recommendations and the cost-benefit analysis of the actions and programmes will be incorporated in this final sustainability report (D 7.6) which will be disseminated to the relevant national and European stakeholders.