The main objective of WELCOME2 is to upgrade, extend and unlock the research potential of Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research to achieve excellence on sustainable basis and fully participate in ERA. An outstanding researcher with high leadership skills (ERA Chair holder) and her/his group will be permanently employed at IARFR to lead interdisciplinary research that will lay grounds to Centre of Excellence in nutrigenomics for optimising health and well-being. ERA Chair is envisaged as a Deputy Director for Science at Institute’s new premises after their construction is completed. In parallel, we will implement SWOT-driven structural changes for responsible research and effective science management. Introduction of internal policies on GLP, OA, ODM and ethics will make IARFR a competitive and credible ERA-recognised centre. Upgraded HR unit will underpin proficient execution of C&C principles and OTM-R values, fostering ERA priorities of gender equality, research freedom and training, and thus increase Institute’s attractiveness for excellent mobile researchers. Under Chair’s guidance we will advance our research management/administrative skills and improve Institute's capacity to compete successfully for international funds. WELCOME2 received support from authorities, industry and research stakeholders, and demonstrates a strong synergy with European Structural Investment Funds. Project’s impacts feed into regional and national smart specializations, as well as Horizon2020 Societal Challenges, HorizonEurope Pillar2 Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness and UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will disseminate WELCOME2 outcomes to external stakeholders in open trainings, scientific seminars and Knowledge Arena Workshops, and this way modify research and innovation landscape of region and country. To maintain all research-related policies and favourable working conditions beyond project completion a Sustainability Plan was prepared.

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IAR&FR), in partnership with Olsztyn School of Higher Education (OSHE) invites kids, tweens, teens and adults to join FUSION Researchers’ Night – a unique occasion when science, entertainment and education meet in one place! Fusion Night is an incredible blend of research, innovation, fun and education that introduces young people to meet scientists who live in their city but whose work reaches across the whole world. The FUSION Night (FN) programmes revolves around the activities that will increase the awareness of the community at large about the importance of research careers and the central role of scientists in improving the daily life and well-being of European citizens. Visitors of the FN will have a chance to join edutaining activities, become a researcher for one night and give lecture to their peers (Polish Academy of Kids), test the content of vitamins in juice or milk (“Vitamins fusion or health illusion?), discover the secrets of cryopreservation in a mobile laboratory (“Ice land”), develop their own creams using fruit powders (“Tasty skin”), design a book from scratch (“Night in the Library”), learn the secrets of animal biodiversity (“Take a walk on the wide side”) or make a fruit puree in liquid nitrogen (“Molecular Show of Fusion Kitchen”). Sport enthusiasts can expect swimming competitions, basketball game, salsa course and martial arts training all conducted by our young researchers. We haven’t forgotten about the music and art lovers too, preparing for them a live concert of an international group of English teachers and an exhibition of science curiosities captured on the stained glass. Collaboration with partners from industrial circles will help to provide visitors with a first-hand view of the products and innovations “born” thanks to the solutions provided by science and researchers.

Marie Curie once said I am among those who think that science has great beauty. If you wish to explore this beauty you don’t need a PhD, yet very welcome is a great deal of curiosity, imagination and a fine handful of patience. Then, just follow your scientific passion and join us at Fusion2Night and play a researcher for a Night or... more! In September 2016 and 2017 Institute of Animal Reproduction & Food Research, University of Warmia&Mazury, and JR School of Higher Education will change Olsztyn into the arena for bonding of researchers and general public, combination of education and entertainment, partnership of academic and industrial centres, and fusion of science disciplines. The topics will range from cutting edge research to unusual perspectives on science, including technology of 7D cinema, neuroscience behind therapy fairytales and pocket-fitting tests on celiac disease. From the morning hours, in a myriad of edutaining activities spread over the entire City, people of all ages will experience how every aspect of our life is possible thanks to scientific influences. With the rule: Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Let me do and I’ll understand!, we will invite kids to try their hands at mind-exciting experiments and see how cool science is. Young people about to embark on career will have a chance to interact with and have their curiosity ignited by scientists, seeing them as ordinary people with extraordinary job. The stereotypic image of a scientist-alienated and immersed in intellectual puzzles having no bearing on others’ lives-will be confronted with inspiring academic and industry experts, communicating tangible benefits of their research and showing how rewarding science careers are. During face-to-face meetings at EU corner, researchers will promote the MSCA action as a passport to successful scientific career, stimulating pupils to consider their future in science and hence have a chance to co-create the world we all live in.

CROSSPATHS is an initiative of recognised scientific entities from three Widening countries Estonia (EST), Poland (PL) and Portugal (PT). Each has benefited from investments into modern agri-food research infrastructures from ERDF funds to boost their innovation capacity and establish commercialisation pathways. Each, however, acts in isolation, suffering from low international recognition, weak links to excellent European networks, poor participation in competitive grant consortia, and lacking know-how and skills on how to best valorise investments in research infrastructures and other existing assets. An insightful mapping of our competences revealed unique expertise of each Partner such as food processing with valorisation of side streams (EST), green extraction techniques with identification of plant-based bioactive compounds (PT) and in vivo validation of their health-promoting effects (PL). We form a Group capable to deliver complex solutions in a food technology, health effects and bioeconomy. The overall objective of the project is to implement cross-border pathways to put in place sequential synergies between ERDF-funded investments and Horizon Europe opportunities. This will be achieved via strategies of internationalization and HR development that improve competitiveness, knowledge transfer and strengthened innovation capacity to jointly apply for international funding. To achieve this, we will be benefiting from Wageningen Research and Innotrope experience, networks and advice. Implementation of the CROSSPATHS will make of our consortium an attractive partner for Horizon Europe projects and beyond with well trained staff and established high reputation within ERA and internationally.