VALORAI partners meet in Aveiro to launch European knowledge valorisation project

VALORAI partners met at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, on 13–14 October 2026 for the project’s kick-off meeting. The programme focused on the project’s objectives, planned activities, partners’ responsibilities and coordination across work packages.

VALORAI brings together many ECIU member universities and institutions with complementary expertise in the fields of higher education, research, innovation, and knowledge transfer.

The project is coordinated by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). The partnership includes the ECIU members Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Lodz University of Technology (TUL), Universidade de Aveiro (UAveiro) and the University of Trento (UniTrento). The UAB Research Park (PRUAB) and the Trentino Innovation Hub Foundation (HIT), are from the field of science and innovation parks; the Artificial Intelligence Center (ARIC) and the University-Industry Innovation Network (UIIN); the companies ATRINEO, Atrineo Iberia, and STICKYDOT; the National Agency for Research and Development (NARD); and the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU).

Technology transfer offices, incubators, clusters, innovation agencies and NGOs play an important role in this process. However, their capacities remain fragmented and uneven across Europe. VALORAI seeks to strengthen cooperation, mutual learning and trust between academia, industry, policymakers and society.

The project aims to engage more than 150 intermediaries and support skills development for over 500 professionals through multilingual online training, practical resources and a structured mobility programme. It will also develop an AI-powered platform to support knowledge discovery and collaboration.

Cascade funding will support secondments and exchanges, enabling intermediaries to share experience and good practices. With an emphasis on people and collaboration, VALORAI aims to strengthen their skills, recognition and visibility. The project will also explore governance and funding arrangements to help sustain the network beyond its lifetime, connecting knowledge and expertise with entrepreneurial initiatives and societal needs.

VALORAI is Funded through Horizon Europe’sWidening participation and spreading excellence programme (WIDERA). The project runs from October 2026 to September 2029.

Find out more: Read the VALORAI project sheet on CORDIS and follow VALORAI on LinkedIn for project news and updates.

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