MAPIT

In Europe’s digitally transforming business landscape, innovative SMEs and start-ups in widening countries are pioneering change in their region yet face challenges like limited resources and complex R&I ecosystems for internationalization. Concurrently, EU R&I networks seek to expand and include these widening entities for a more inclusive, cost-effective development. aims to bridge this gap by linking innovative SMEs, research entities, and European R&I networks.

This project comes in the wake of structural funds granted to establish four digital innovation centers in Turkish research entities and one in Estonian, where innovative SMEs will be hosted and can access the R&I capacities via the research entity. MAPIT aims toincrease the participation of these entities in Horizon Europe, strengthening university-industry partnerships. The project
has two core objectives: The “Roadmapping Strand” employs action research methodologies and a Conversational AI Tool, fine-tuned with information from sources like CORDIS, for discovering and planning complementary R&I partnerships. This will let the research entities build clusters and collaborate with NCPs towards sustainable international R&I portfolios. The “Future Studies Strand” delivers a comprehensive International R&I Managers and Administrators upskilling program, enriched by transformative visits and short-term secondments.

These interconnected strands work synergistically to facilitate sustainable internationalization and human resource development within R&I clusters. By focusing on best practices, joint initiatives, and collaboration, MAPIT aims to empower the five participating research entities with the organizational structure and R&I capacities needed for joining the ERA, fulfilling the WIDERA objectives. MAPIT not only offers a participatory methodology that can be replicated by other widening entities but also promotes synergy with European institutions and foster innovation across borders.