Research clusters

Research clusters

ERUA meeting at the European University Viadrina

Content and objectives

The aim of the "research clusters" field of action is to connect researchers from the participating universities within the ERUA network and to support the initiation, development, and implementation of joint projects at all career levels. A long-term model will be developed to promote research excellence, establish networks to foster research collaboration beyond specific disciplines and universities, and develop the internationalisation competencies of early-career researchers.

In concrete terms, this includes the promotion of cooperation, particularly - but not exclusively - in the thematic areas of ERUA through virtual labs, networking events and joint funding and skills development programmes.

The thematic areas are:

  • Migration, exile and refugees
  • Environmental transition 
  • Democracy and human rights, inclusion and gender equality
  • Interculturality and multilingualism
  • Arts and edges


The core tasks of the working area include:

  • The design of joint and interdisciplinary research clusters
  • The implementation of cluster activities
  • The support of joint research efforts and capacity building in the management of research funding
  • The creation of a common framework for the promotion and development of ERUA early career researchers
  • The development of joint skills development and mobility programmes for early career researchers (doctoral candidates and postdocs)
  • The collaboration of the universities' research departments in a joint research unit, a joint funding programme to initiate cooperation projects and to support joint third-party funding activities

Ways to get involved

As a researcher/scientist:

  • Participation in conferences and networking events
  • Application for funding of joint research projects/research clusters through regular calls
  • Contribution as a speaker at conferences and networking events
  • Involvement in the scientific committees of research clusters, conferences, and funding programmes
  • Participation as a researcher in joint cooperation initiatives through calls for research clusters

Dr Antonio Carbone