Young European Research Uiversities Network

YERUN – Young European Research Universities Network – is a network of 24 young research universities across Europe. Founded in 2015 and based in Brussels, YERUN’s main objective is to strengthen the voice of young research universities in Europe through strategic representation and policy advocacy.

YERUN plays an active role in the development of European education, research and innovation policies. The network contributes to policy development through a combination of targeted advocacy, structured dialogue with EU institutions, and the production of policy recommendations and opinion papers. Recent advocacy efforts include YERUN’s input to the ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027, its position papers on the next EU Framework Program (FP10: Attractive, impactful and inclusive), and calls for increased support for initiatives such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (We need much more MSCA!).

In addition to its work at the policy level, the network fosters collaboration among its members on shared priorities and enhances their visibility through a targeted communication strategy.

Being part of YERUN enables member universities to actively engage in European policy discussions that directly impact their future. Through the network, members gain collective visibility, access to strategic advocacy, and opportunities to influence policy on issues that matter to young research universities. In parallel, YERUN fosters concrete collaboration among institutions, allowing them to share practices, develop joint initiatives, and amplify their voice at the European level, something that would be far more difficult to achieve individually.

While YERUN operates at the European level, its work is closely connected to the daily reality of its member universities. The network’s activities are designed to bring added value not only institutionally, but also to the individuals who study and work within them. The network’s initiatives not only represent the interests of young research universities at the European level but also generate concrete opportunities, visibility, and value for those working and studying within its member institutions.

Researchers at YERUN member universities benefit from the network’s strong engagement in European research and innovation policy, as well as its commitment to fostering collaborative, open, and impactful research environments.

• Support for collaboration: From 2017 to 2025, YERUN has organized the YERUN Research Mobility Awards, which supports the development of research collaborations between member institutions. These collaborations can take different forms, such as joint research activities, co-authored publications, or short research visits, and aim to foster new connections and international and interdisciplinary exchange.
• CONNECT by YERUN: Researchers can benefit from CONNECT by YERUN, the network’s digital platform designed to support collaboration and access to funding opportunities. The platform helps users identify relevant European research funding calls, explore ongoing projects across YERUN institutions, and connect with potential partners within the network. It is a practical resource for developing joint initiatives and strengthening engagement with the European research landscape.
• Recognition of open science practices: From 2021 to 2024, YERUN has organized the YERUN Open Science Awardswhich highlight and reward individual or team efforts to make research more transparent, accessible, and societally relevant.
• Policy engagement: YERUN actively contributes to EU-level policy discussions and ensures that the interests of researchers at all levels are reflected in discussions on research related topics, such as research assessment, academic careers, research funding, Open Science, and academic freedom.
• Opportunities for visibility: Through YERUN, researchers may be invited to participate in events and policy discussions organized by European institutions and other stakeholders, offering valuable occasions to share their expertise and engage with the wider research and policy community.

Staff at YERUN member universities, whether working in policy, research support, international relations, communications, library services, or other roles, benefit from the opportunities the network creates to connect, collaborate, and engage beyond their own institutions.

• Peer learning and knowledge exchange: YERUN’s working groups offer a space for staff and experts to exchange ideas, practices, and institutional experiences on topics of shared interest. The discussions and outputs of these groups also inform YERUN’s policy positions and contribute to responses to European consultations, surveys, and initiatives.
• Recognition of innovative practices: From 2021 to 2024, YERUN has organized the YERUN Open Science Awards, dedicated also to staff and which highlight and reward innovative practices in support of open and responsible research.
• Access to timely policy updates: Staff receive regular updates and briefings on developments in European education, research, and innovation policy, supporting institutional awareness and enabling timely responses to emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Engagement in the European policy space: Staff may also take part in policy, related events and stakeholder meetings, organized by EU institutions or other relevant organizations, through which they can expand their professional networks and strengthen their institution’s visibility and engagement at the European level.

For university leaders, such as rectors, presidents, vice-rectors, and senior managers, YERUN provides a platform for strategic collaboration, policy engagement, and increased institutional visibility at the European level.

• Policy influence at European level: Through coordinated advocacy and direct engagement with EU institutions, YERUN ensures that the interests and perspectives of young research universities are reflected in key policy discussions. Leaders play an active role in setting the network’s strategic direction and contribute to the development of joint policy positions.
• Regular strategic dialogue: YERUN convenes regular meetings of university leadership to discuss shared challenges, align on strategic priorities, and explore opportunities for collaboration. These meetings provide a valuable forum for peer exchange and policy-advocacy action among YERUN institutions.
• Stronger positioning in Europe: Being part of YERUN strengthens a university’s presence in the European education, research and higher education landscape. The network facilitates participation in high-level events and dialogue with key stakeholders, increasing both institutional influence and visibility.
• Support for institutional development: YERUN’s activities complement and support the strategic objectives of its members, offering access to shared expertise, joint initiatives, and targeted communication opportunities that benefit the whole institution.

• Link video of 10^th Anniversary – general what’s in it for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GRJdj4Gpsw

Students at YERUN member universities benefit from being part of a European network that values high-quality, inclusive, and internationally connected education. While YERUN’s core activities focus on policy and institutional collaboration, from time to time, it also offers students meaningful learning opportunities and experiences across borders.

• Summer and winter schools: Jointly with its member universities, YERUN has organized ad hoc summer and winter schools offering students interdisciplinary learning experiences in an international setting, combining academic content with skills development and cultural exchange. These joint activities are the results of the work of YERUN groups, and of YERUN member institutions. An example of these summer schools can be found here and here. In addition, YERUN shares information on summer schools organized at YERUN member universities.
• YERUN Hackathon: In 2024 and now in 2025, YERUN organized a hackathon that brings together students from across the network to work in teams on real-world challenges. The event fosters creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
• Mobility and international perspective: YERUN supports the principles of student mobility and is engaged in policy discussions on the future of Erasmus+, the development of micro-credentials, and the digitalization of education, advocating for a more flexible and inclusive learning environment at the European level.

Connection to a wider academic community: Being part of a YERUN university connects students to a broader European network of like-minded institutions that share a commitment to excellence, openness, and societal engagement. If you want to check opportunities at partner institutions, you can get in touch with your YERUN Coordinator.

CONNECT by YERUN, an innovative digital platform developed by the University of Southern Denmark and YERUN - to foster collaboration among its member institutions, was officially launched in November 2024.

Following a successful introduction to researchers over the summer and a dedicated presentation for research managers in autumn, the platform is now fully open to all YERUN members, making it easier than ever to connect, collaborate, and innovate within the YERUN community. Reiterate here the link to the platform.

What is CONNECT by YERUN?

CONNECT by YERUN is a centralized digital resource that facilitates collaboration, data access, and networking for researchers and research management teams across YERUN institutions. By offering tailored tools for both researchers and managers, the platform is a vital part of YERUN’s mission to foster open science and cross-disciplinary research throughout Europe.

Platform Highlights:

• Dynamic collaboration insight: CONNECT by YERUN provides real-time insights into the current research focus areas and collaborations across YERUN institutions.
• Comprehensive data access: Through the platform, users can access an extensive repository of data on YERUN members’ EU project participation and publication history. This feature is instrumental for both researchers and managers to quickly identify existing expertise, and plan future research strategies.
• Intelligent matchmaking tool: One of the platform’s standout features is its intelligent matchmaking tool, which enables researchers and managers to identify ideal collaborators for funding applications, new research initiatives, and opportunities like the YERUN Research Mobility Awards. This tailored support accelerates the collaboration process and increases the potential for successful project outcomes.
• Integration with EU funding calls: CONNECT by YERUN seamlessly integrates access to current and upcoming EU funding calls, matching these opportunities with relevant researchers within the network. This feature simplifies the process of discovering and applying for EU funding, helping institutions build sustainable, long-term funding strategies.

How to use it:

• Make powerful searches: Search for individuals, but also publications and grants. You can use long texts to find what you are looking for, while still being able to use filters and keywords.
• Get suggestions: According to the publication abstracts on your profile the app will suggest some more researchers and grants you might be interested in, based on AI text analysis
• Everything in one place: Access information available on multiple platforms (ORCID, CORDIS, etc.) is one easy to use web application.

Who Can Access CONNECT by YERUN?

The platform is available to all researchers and research managers within the YERUN network. To access the platform, users are required to have an ORCID ID (Make sure your email is publicly visible. Without publicly visible institutional email on your ORCID profile, will not be able to access the platform in general.)

Benefits for Researchers and Research Managers:

• For Researchers: CONNECT by YERUN is a gateway to a wider professional network, enabling researchers to explore new project possibilities, find collaborators across Europe, and increase the impact of their work. The platform’s data insights and matchmaking tools simplify the process of initiating and maintaining productive partnerships.

For Research Managers: CONNECT by YERUN equips research managers with essential tools to oversee and support research activities within their institutions. From tracking ongoing projects to aligning with funding calls, research managers can use the platform to streamline their strategies and facilitate collaboration.

YERUN and the developers are hosting “Virtual Presentation Tour”s to introduce Connect by YERUN. The Virtual Presentation Tour offers a tailored webinar for each YERUN member interested in participating. The session will be delivered by SDU, in collaboration with the local Research Support team. Dates will be coordinated individually with each university and can start as early as 1 December 2024. These presentations can also be integrated into events such as Research Office Days, Away Days, or similar internal occasions.