During its final phase, RISE aimed to enhance R&I capacity across nine ecosystems by addressing key societal challenges, attracting and nurturing research talent, and promoting a culture of impact, open science, citizen engagement, and innovation among stakeholders. ENLIGHT RISE has been successful in these endeavours through the sustainable achievements and initiatives of its work packages.
Notable sustainable achievements include WP1’s established R&I support officers' network, which will continue beyond the project’s end. WP2’s R&I Observatory has made expertise accessible to the public, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration for the future. Moreover, the mobility awards and R&I prizes supported early career researchers, expanding networks and boosting the alliance's research capacity. WP3 highlighted the importance of digital research infrastructures, creating enhanced awareness for the alliance about the future importance of digital research infrastructures including those targeting innovation and AI. ENLIGHT is now poised to contribute to Digital Europe, equipping both students and young researchers with essential skills. For WP4, the foundation for future sustainable collaboration was laid by a partnership model that enabled continuous exchanges on good practices. The Research Assessment Working Group (RAWG) evolved into a sustainable community of evaluation experts within ENLIGHT —the Research(er) Assessment Expert Network (RAEN). The RAEN, comprising representatives from 10 ENLIGHT partners, strives to enhance and broaden the efforts started by the RAWG. For WP5, the report on gaps and opportunities in the market for skills and innovation has highlighted where strategic actions can contribute to further advancements of the alliance in fostering collaboration, driving innovation and nurturing talent. Funding opportunities at national and international level can be shared across the alliance. Networking events such as AIMday will foster collaboration and exchange of ideas, and the ENLIGHT Innovation Network (EIN) will work to monitor and assess the policy landscape in areas relevant to the alliance research and collaboration goals. WP6 has driven public engagement efforts across partner institutions, enhancing connections between academia, external partners, and the public in the regional surroundings. Some partners are also taking steps towards co-production of knowledge, through research and challenge-based teaching both with and for society. WP7 exceeded its goals by creating a network of OS experts, fostering collaboration with other EUAs and establishing joint ENLIGHT OS principles, now a reference point for the alliance and institutionally. Finally, WP8 contributed to enhancing impact awareness & policies across the alliance, leading to more standardized research impact practices. ENLIGHT also played a key role in promoting impact culture beyond the alliance through publications, advisory roles within other EUAs, leading the FOREU impact thematic group, & participating as impact experts and practitioners externally (EARMA, AESIS, UIIN).
