FP7 – Marie Curie Actions International Research Staff Exchange Scheme MultiWaveS PROJECT Prof Vesna Crnojević-Bengin University of Novi Sad, Serbia Horizont četvrtkom

Bottom-up approach Third countries Only contribution to mobility and networking costs early stage researchers, experienced researchers

Envisaged Impacts Transfer of specific knowledge into Europe Quality of research SCIENTIFIC Development of lasting collaborations STRATEGIC Diversity of environment Experience of excellence Reward for complementarity Inter-cultural exchange SOFT

Project Timeline Success Hard work Get serious DramaApathyThrill The road hasn’t been covered with roses

Obstacles & Solutions Personnel Key person from one institution left at the very beginning of the project Partners not ready to actually commit to the project Financial Pre-financing delayed for 9 months (!) Institutional PO changed several times No local experience with IRSES Consequence 49% or placements executed by mid-term Mid-term payment suspended 3 rd year performed from own funds Solutions Good management: Coherent and detailed plan of mobilities Mid-term funding received after year 3 Last (and first) PO extremely supportive

Scientific Results in a Nutshell 100 papers published: 30 in leading journals with the impact factor, 71 on international conferences. One book chapter (invited) in Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical Engineering A book for Cambridge University Press ‘’Advances in Multi-Band Microstrip Filters’’ Workshop held at EuMW Industrial contracts Success FP7 Project MultiWaveS

Scientific Results

Special Award by the European Commission “Marie Curie Actions for an Innovative Europe: Excellence, mobility and skills for researchers”, December 2010, Brussels

Beyond Serbia USA, Great Britain, Russia, South Africa – four very different systems (wrt. work environments, procedures, costs) High level of understanding from all institutions (willingness to learn and adapt, practical help - accommodation & visas, no overheads) Highly positive experience for all Strong willingness to commit to joint work again

Before & After Mature research topic Difficult to obtain funding Fragmented research Rare lasting scientific collaboration Limited experience, especially of ESRs (‘90s) One of first FP7 projects First IRSES in Serbia Excellent scientific results Improved teaching Established lasting global collaborations New industry contracts New working environments Inter-cultural exchange Prevention of brain-drain Built internal capacity Many FP7s that followed

Institutional Challenges Excellent science, development of lasting collaborations, soft skills… That was the easy part! Underdeveloped administrative capacity of Serbian institutions Lack of coherent regulatory framework – Poor understanding of benefits of int. coop., esp. MCA – National legislation does not recognize placements – Money transfers and the National Bank of Serbia Across all EU projects: – Mobility allowance (e.g. in ITN) – Personnel cost rates – Type of contract – Public procurements – Employment of new staff – Difficult participation of the public sector

Current Support and Beyond Very significant support exists from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development  Interactions are still needed with the Ministry of Finance, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, with all stakeholders: To establish an institutional mind set which encourages international scientific cooperation and fully recognizes its benefits and actors To recommend procedures and provide an efficient regulatory framework for all stakeholders – Employment, procurements, placements, payments… – Personnel & mobility costs, co-financing, overheads…

Conclusion On our institution(s) and individuals On our research On the courses we teach Multiple positive effects of MultiWaveS: Creation of high-impact scientific results Good project management Mutual trust Long-lasting collaborations created Long-lasting links established due to: Strong willingness to work together Industry contacts New projects Life after death: Developr policies and strategies to Serbian institutions to foster their full inclusion into ERA Future work:

FP7 – Marie Curie Actions International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Thank you Prof Vesna Crnojević-Bengin University of Novi Sad, Serbia Horizont četvrtkom