Attracting Talent: Recruitment and Incentives

Survey respondents provided specific examples of initiatives that encompass talent circulation strategies across multiple levels, including policy tools, collaborative efforts, networks, funding programs, and services aimed at returning researchers, alumni, and diaspora researchers, as well as networking activities. In light of these contributions, the following list has been complied highlighting some of the best practice examples of these incentives.

Type of the initiatives considered:

• Research funding programme (targeting brain circulation) -  initiative that aims to provide financial support specifically targeting brain circulation, encouraging researchers to remain in or return to their home countries after gaining international experience
• Individual researcher funding programme (targeting brain circulation e.g. post-doc scheme, PhD. grants) - includes schemes such as post-doctoral fellowships and PhD grants designed to attract and retain talent within Europe by offering competitive funding options
• Networking platform - hub for researchers to connect with opportunities across Europe, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing while promoting local research environments
• Policy/Strategic document - emphasize the need for strategic policy frameworks that support balanced brain circulation and address the challenges posed by brain drain
• Collaboration initiative - encourages partnerships between institutions across Europe or beyond to foster research collaboration and enhance the attractiveness of local research ecosystems
• Mutual exchange programme - promote reciprocal exchanges between countries aimed to build long-term collaborations and enhance mobility among researchers, contributing to brain circulation
• Events/Series of events - facilitate networking and knowledge exchange, helping to create a vibrant research community that attracts talent
• Tax incentive - Proposals may include tax benefits for researchers or institutions that support brain circulation, making it financially attractive for researchers to stay or return
• Co-funding initiative (from the state) involves state-level co-funding mechanisms that encourage local institutions to invest in research talent, thereby mitigating the effects of brain drain through enhanced funding opportunities

The aim of the Programme is to allow outstanding Polish scientists to return to their homeland and take up employment in Polish universities and research institutes. 

For more information see: https://nawa.gov.pl/en/scientists/polish-returns

This offer makes it easier for employers in business, research institutes and public actors (outside the university and higher education sphere) to hire a researcher who completed an MSCA-project in Sweden. It is an opportunity to meet the needs of organizations for excellence in the researchers´ special areas and create the conditions for the researchers to stay in Sweden. Funding to cover the salary costs of employing an identified PhD MSCA researcher who is in Sweden.

For more information, see:https://www.vinnova.se/en/ 

Boosting international talent in Biscay (Basque Country - North Spain)

Be Basque Ambassadors, a programme set in motion by Bizkaia Talent and launched in collaboration with the University of the Basque Country (EPV/EHU) and the University of Deusto, is aimed at retaining international university talent and enhancing the creation of an ecosystem for promoting, attracting and creating loyalty amongst highly qualified professionals with respect to our nation.

The objective of the programme is provide assistance to the professionals in terms of social and work integration, and in the case of their wishing to continue their professionals careers in another part of the world, that they become permanent Basque Country ambassadors, maintaining contact and a feeling of belonging to our nation forever, which links up perfectly with Bizkaia Talent’s “Be Basque” strategy.

Over the forthcoming five months, the foreign students who are doing their degree, postgraduate or PhD studies at universities in the Basque Country and who are motivated to develop their professional careers in our country will have an opportunity to develop their personal brand with a view to employability in the Basque labour market and they will participate in a series of activities aimed at helping then to deepen their links with our nation.

Furthermore, they will not only be helped in terms of work integration but also socially. To this end, a roadmap has been designed to enable these future ambassadors to attend participative conferences, training workshops and to visit cutting-edge companies in the Basque Country, as well as enjoying numerous sociocultural activities.

For whom? International undergraduate Master's or PhD students enrolled for the entire course at a University of Bizkaia

VALUE PROPOSITION:

1. Receive advice on the legal procedures to follow as international students

2. Discover the Scientific, technological and business ecosystem

3. Boosting networking 

4. Learn about Basque culture and connect with the international community at local level

5. Position their profiles in the labour market of Biscay and /or promote scientific careers in industry, academy and entrepreneurship

6. Meet international researchers, R&D professionals and students

The international students who are currently studying for their first degrees, post-graduate qualifications or PhD’s at Basque universities with the intention of carrying out their professional careers in our country, will develop their personal branding with a view to improving their employability in the Basque labour market and will take part in a huge range of different activities: participative conferences, training workshops, visits to cutting-edge companies, socio-cultural activities etc.

Be Basque Ambassadors seeks to integrate these people in our country, both socially and in the workplace, and to ensure that even if they finally opt to continue their professional careers in another part of the world, they will continue to act as ambassadors for the Basque Country wherever they go, maintaining their contact with, and feeling of belonging to our land forever.

For more information, see: https://www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/be-basque-ambassadors-presentacion/ 

An extensive strategic analysis developed by experts at Research and Innovation Authority (VAIA). The analysis identifies four main areas of intervention, as well as the tools by which change should be achieved:

 • Mitigating the outflow of talent from Slovakia by taking fundamental steps towards improving the quality of higher education, including retention of excellent HE employees. 

• Increasing the return of Slovak talents from abroad by strengthening ties with Slovakia through building communities, improving working conditions and promoting attractive job opportunities and simplifying administration and improving the user experience of return.

 • Increasing the attractivity for international talent and bringing Slovakia to the “immigration map” of foreign talents.

 • Developing cooperation with talent abroad by systematically supporting and maintaining the relationship with Slovakia, deepening care and improving the quality of state services, and creating specific opportunities to support cooperation, simplifying access to them and ensuring with their promotion.

 The analysis was followed by the PR activities and conference aiming to encourage discussion about the topic. The Talent Unit was established at VAIA to coordinate the preparation of the analysis as well as the development of practical measures to support strategy goals.

For more information, see: https://vaia.gov.sk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/white_paper_1_magnet_pre_talent_online.pdf 

“Žijem vedu” (“I live science”) is a non-profit initiative networking Slovak scientist abroad and at home. The initiative responds to a significant brain drain that Slovakia faces and its main goal is to develop a relationship with community of Slovak researchers abroad to foster relationships, collaborations, and engagement opportunities. Slovak scientists abroad operate the project and co-create its content. Over the last 7 years, new members consistently joined the team to showcase their work and seek advice and connections to collaborate with institutions in Slovakia. One of the main activities of the initiative is organisation of annual conferences that have attracted over 1,000 participants, a third of whom are based abroad. An additional 500 participants each year participated via online stream. It also operates the online networking platform for researchers and produces regular podcast popularising research and addressing topics such as career development, In developing its activities, the initiative partners with non-profit organisations, universities, and the Slovak Academy of Science. It also collaborates with grant agencies, industry, media, policymakers, and Slovak embassies.

For more information, see: https://zijemvedu.sk/ 

Partnerships between Portuguese universities and world-class research institutions (MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Texas at Austin, Harvard Medical School, Imperial College London, Fraunhofer Portugal Research) to foster and strengthen scientific collaboration and integration in international networks. Part of the goPORTUGAL initiative, aimed at stimulating the internationalisation of Portuguese R&I. These partnerships have promoted new thematic knowledge networks involving more than 1000 teachers and researchers and more than 1500 master's and doctoral students. Main goals of: stimulating the internationalization of the Portuguese science and technology research, fostering the creation scientific and qualified jobs and new technology-based companies; promoting the international mobility of students, teachers, researchers and non-teaching staff, and foster collaborative work with the Portuguese academic and scientific diaspora; enhancing Portugal's Atlantic positioning in the World, in all areas of knowledge, with emphasis on the Atlantic interactions research and innovation agenda.

For more information, see:

 https://stip.oecd.org/stip/interactive-dashboards/policy-initiatives/2023%2Fdata%2FpolicyInitiatives%2F14096 

The French-Italian Day for Early Career Researchers, organized by ABG and the University of Turin under the umbrella of the Italo-French University, is an annual event that takes place either online or in Turin, Italy. This event serves as a platform for early-career researchers from diverse disciplines to explore career opportunities, gain insights into the job market, and develop essential skills for professional transitions. This event is the opportunity for:

 1. Networking Opportunities: Attendees will have the chance to network with recruiters, HR professionals, and Ph.D. holders working in various sectors in both France and Italy.

 2. Insightful Program: The event offers presentations on selected themes such as effective job search strategies, the skills required for success in industry, entrepreneurial ventures, and recruitment processes in Italy and France.

 3. Global Perspective:The event welcomes participants not only from France and Italy but also from other countries, highlighting the international nature of career opportunities.

For more information, see:https://www.abg.asso.fr/en/article/fr-journee-franco-italienne-des-jeunes-chercheurs-2024-2635

A short description of the initiative: Tax benefits for the employment of PhD holders by companies (Decree Law 162/2014, 31st October 2014, Article 37º) – (Investment Tax Code - SIFIDE II). This initiative is framed by the Portuguese System of Tax Incentives for Company Investments in R&D (SIFIDE), which is aimed at encouraging R&D activities by Portuguese companies. It consists of a tax credit granted to companies that perform or contract R&D activities Main goals: promote the employment of PhD holders by companies; increase the R&D business sector expenditure; foster the business sector competitivity, through the support to Research and Development.

For more information, see:https://ani.pt/en/sifide-system-of-tax-incentives-for-business-rd/ 

“Rebrain Greece”, is an interdisciplinary and interministerial initiative concerning the digital transformation in the Greek labour market and the reverse of the brain drain phenomenon. The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Labour Relations of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in April 2019. The team of “Rebrain Greece” works in a horizontal and equal base of cooperation allowing free access to those who wish to contribute with ideas, proposals, funding tools etc in the direction of the initiative’s strategic aims. Officials from five ministries, six Greek universities, organizations such as the National Institute of Labour and Human Resources, the National Documentation Center/Knowledge Bridges, the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation and many more, are working closely with each other in order to formulate effective public policies based on measurable digital tools and methods.

For more information see: https://platform.rebraingreece.gr/ 

The Opportunities Workshop for PhD and postdoctoral candidates from Chile was organized by German universities, including Freie Universität Berlin and Technische Universität München, in collaboration with DAAD and other institutions. Held in Santiago de Chile on March 22-23, 2023, it provided in-person sessions to explore research opportunities in Germany. On March 24, participants could book individual online consultations with representatives from German universities and organizations like the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and EURAXESS. The event aimed to connect researchers with German academic institutions while offering insights into funding and career development opportunities. 

For more information, see: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/worldwide/lac/events/phd-postdoc-germany-chile-person-workshop-online-matchmaking-euraxess 

The M20 Matchmaking Event, held on January 29, 2025, at the House of Connections, is designed for researchers from the University of Groningen (UG) and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) interested in submitting proposals for the Ubbo Emmius M20 PhD funding program. This interdisciplinary initiative, funded by a private donor through the Ubbo Emmius Foundation, supports new PhD positions annually to advance sustainability science and societal impact. The event includes presentations on research themes, an overview of the M20 process, tips from experienced supervisors, and matchmaking sessions to connect researchers with potential collaborators and supervisors. Attendees also benefit from networking opportunities to foster partnerships and refine their project ideas.

For more information, see: https://www.rug.nl/rudolf-agricola-school/news-and-events/events/m20-matchmaking-event

The DAAD Ghana PhD & Postdoc Matchmaking Event is a networking initiative aimed at connecting Ghanaian researchers with opportunities in Germany's academic and research institutions. It provides participants with insights into the German research landscape, pathways to pursue PhDs or postdoctoral positions, and available funding options. The event includes presentations on the German academic system, testimonials from alumni, and interactive sessions to guide researchers in planning their academic careers. Over three days, participants engage in virtual one-on-one meetings with representatives from German universities and research organizations to explore tailored opportunities, such as structured PhD programs or specific funding schemes. These personalized 20-minute consultations help researchers identify potential supervisors and programs that align with their academic goals.

For more information, see: https://www.daad-ghana.org/en/phd-matchmaking/#top 

The "Shape the Future of a Researcher Coming to Europe" mentoring programme offers institutions a unique opportunity to enhance their support for researchers while fostering international collaboration. This initiative aims to promote transnational mobility by connecting experienced researchers from the European Research Area (ERA) with early-stage researchers from third countries. Through this program, mentors guide mentees in their integration and career development within an international context.

Key objectives of the program include facilitating researcher mobility, encouraging knowledge transfer, and raising awareness of essential soft skills for successful international engagement. By participating, institutions can strengthen their connections with research communities across Europe and beyond, creating a robust network that benefits both researchers and institutions alike.

The program is designed for two main groups: early-stage researchers seeking international mobility opportunities and highly skilled researchers willing to mentor them. Participants will engage in discussions on various topics such as career counseling, publications, networking, and funding opportunities. Mentoring sessions are conducted online, allowing for flexible scheduling, and are expected to consist of at least six sessions over six months. By establishing a mentoring program, institutions can not only enhance their researchers' career prospects but also contribute to a more interconnected global research landscape. This initiative represents a strategic investment in the future of research collaboration and professional development.

Learn more about the programme HERE

Bizkaia Talent focuses on creating a robust ecosystem to attract and retain skilled professionals in the Basque Country. Key strategies include:

International Networking: The initiative organizes events in European cities to connect local organizations with Basque researchers abroad, facilitating partnerships that enhance visibility and collaboration opportunities

Promotion of Strategic Areas: By highlighting the unique advantages of the Basque region, Bizkaia Talent effectively markets its local research capabilities and innovation potential, drawing attention from global talent

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with universities, companies, and public bodies allows for a comprehensive approach to talent management and visibility enhancement, ensuring that various sectors are represented.

For more information, see:

https://www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/ 

https://www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/te-ofrecemos/professional-network-service/

https://www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/te-ofrecemos/programa-de-ayudas/

The South Moravian Centre for International Mobility emphasizes the importance of mobility and international collaboration. Its best practices include:

Support for Researchers: The center provides tailored services to help researchers navigate international opportunities, thereby increasing their exposure and professional networks.

Career Development Programs: By organizing career days and workshops, the center fosters connections between local institutions and international talent, enhancing both visibility and recruitment efforts.

Focus on Communication: Engaging in effective science communication helps disseminate research findings beyond academic circles, reaching broader audiences and stakeholders.

For more information, see: https://www.jcmm.cz/en/who-we-are 

The DRESDEN Concept is a strategic alliance of research institutions in Dresden, Germany, aimed at enhancing visibility through collaborative efforts. Its effective practices include:

Joint Promotion of Research Excellence: By collectively branding their research capabilities, member institutions amplify their visibility on national and international stages, showcasing their strengths as a unified entity.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encouraging interdisciplinary projects not only enhances research quality but also increases the likelihood of attracting attention from diverse funding sources and media outlets.

Active Engagement with Media: The DRESDEN Concept places significant emphasis on engaging with traditional media to communicate research impacts effectively, which broadens public awareness and institutional reputation.

For more information, see: https://dresden-concept.de/?lang=en