On April 26, 16:00, an info day was held at SRNSF Conference Hall for scientists interested in SRNSF SCR 2017 call for proposals. The call coordinators explained to the meeting participants, detailed instructions for preparing proposal and answered their questions.

The purpose of the agreement is to further strengthen cooperation in research and development between Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. The Parties will promote and support cooperation between its researchers in research areas, on the basis of equality for mutual benefit. The projects undertaken under this Agreement may be targeted for further participation of Georgia and Moldova, as associated countries, in the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 and other European programs and integration into European Research Area. The Memorandum was signed on 21 st of April, by the Acting General Director of Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, Manana Mikaberidze, and the President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Academician Gheorghe Duca.

On April 20-21, 2017 the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCAA) and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (SRNSF) co-organized regional celebratory events dedicated to the ERC’s 10 th anniversary. On 20 th of April, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University hosted a conference - Strengthening Eastern Partnership participation in ERC calls, that gathered ERC executive agency representatives, Georgian policy makers and implementers from relevant ministries, state agencies, research institutions and universities. STI stakeholders from Eastern Partnership (EaP)) countries, established scientists and young researchers from various Georgian research entities attended the conference. Some of the remarkable speeches during the conference were delivered by ERC Vice-president and Chair of the ERC Scientific Council on Widening European Participation – Prof. Eva Kondorosi, the President of Academia Europea, former ERC Vice-president - Prof. Sierd Cloetingh, STI experts from the EU members states, prominent Georgian scientists residing abroad and representing leading research institutions worldwide. The international conference was followed by information day for potential applicants on April 21. Interested researchers were provided with practical and detailed information on ERC application procedures, evaluation criteria and important recommendations to consider while preparing an ERC grant application. Informative presentations were delivered by ERC official representatives, grant holders and panel members. The role of National Contact Points was highlighted and NCPs from eastern partnership countries outlined existing situation and challenges in terms of engaging scientist in ERC calls. By hosting a significant regional event, Georgia reaffirms its readiness to dedicate efforts and facilitate its scientific community’s participation in different opportunities provided by Horizon 2020 program. Below you can find the presentations from the speakers of the conference:   20 th of April - Strenghtening Eastern Partnership participation in ERC calls   Welcome address by the ERC president [video message] - Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon “ERC - 10 years of supporting  top researchers all across Europe” - Prof. Eva Kondorosi “Spreading Research Excellence in Europe: Perspectives of Academia Europaea” - Prof. Sierd Cloetingh “ERC challenges and opportunities for Georgian researchers” - Prof. Marja Makarow “ERC grantee testimony” - Prof. Georgi Dvali “The ERC’s quest to support excellent researchers all over Europe” - Asli Vural   Panel discussion: Scientific diaspora's perspectives on strengthening participation in ERC competitions “Engaging the Scientific Diaspora from EaP countries” -: Yannis Kechagiaras “Engaging the scientific diaspora from Eastern Partnership countries” - Prof. Dmitri A. Rusakov   Panel discussion: National and institutional perspectives on participation in ERC competitions National and institutional perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of participation in ERC competitions – Prof. Gheorghe Duca Ukrainian perspectives on participation in ERC competitions - Prof. Anatoly Zagorodny   21 st of April -ERC Information day for potential applicants   The European Research Council: Funding investigator-driven frontier research - Prof. Eva Kondorosi ERC application and evaluation procedure - Dr David Krasa How I got my ERC grant - Prof. Dmitri A.Rusakov   Panel discussion: The role of ERC National Contact Points: Supporting ERC applicants on national level The role of ERC National Contact Points - Béatrice Thiry SRNSF – NCP of the ERC – Mariam Keburia HORIZON 2020 NCP system in Belarus in promoting ERC - Olga Meerovskaya Moldova: National Practices in supporting participation in H2020 - Dr. Lidia Romanciuc NCP Experience in Azerbaijan - Prof. Ulduz Hashimova

On April 12, 16:00, an info day was held at SRNSF Conference Hall for scientists interested in SRNSF PhD Scholarships 2017 call for proposals. The call coordinators explained to the meeting participants, detailed instructions for preparing proposal and answered their questions.

On April 4, 2017, at 16:00, info day for Young Scientists’ research grants was held at the Conference Hall of Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation. The meeting participants were explained management issues related to projects funded under SRNSF’s calls.