Prof. dr. hab. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa and Arqus Research Initiative
Prof. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa represents the University of Wrocław in the Arqus Research & Innovation Board operating within the framework of the Arqus Alliance of European Universities and is responsible for the coordination of experimental and innovative activities.
photo: Paweł Piotrowski
What is the task of the Arqus Research and Innovation Board?
Arqus Research and Innovation Board is one of the bodies accountable for supporting experimental intercollegiate collaboration, promoting interdisciplinary experimental projects, and implementing various other mutual exploratory initiatives.
The aims of the Arqus Research and Innovation Board embrace an intensification of contacts and mobility of researchers, but also the goal is to support big, interdisciplinary experimental projects and develop a model of the finest practices within the scope of innovative and exploratory cooperation. We also aspire to establish experimental intercollegiate institutions that will function as channels for financing and supporting mutual exploratory enterprises.
What particular actions are you taking when it comes to supporting research and innovations?
We embark upon actions, such as workshops, winter and summer school organisation, aiding small research teams mobility, as well as developing joint motions for external funding. What is more, we advertise open education and support the development of tools and practices related to open education in our institutions.
What are the main challenges that you are facing?
The purpose of funding Arqus is, first and foremost, educational activities. Therefore, the main challenges are creating and securing stable financing for our research initiatives, integrating new alliance members, and adapting to shifting conditions and research needs. What is also vital is promoting open education and supporting diversity in action.
Do any mechanisms exist for funding Arqus experimental project ventures?
Research teams created in Arqus apply mainly for Horizon Europe Digital Europe but also for sources of domestic and regional types. Arqus Research Initiative is the last and long-awaited programme. Its goal is to initiate and support long-term research activities with a chance to develop into bigger projects. The programme promotes cooperation between various fields of study and encourages the participation of external research groups (although its costs will not be covered by the Arqus budget).
I encourage thus all researchers to become familiar with the details of the contest. It will embrace a broad scope of activities, such as small research projects, organisation of seminars, winter and summer school, and doctoral workshops, as well as both small research teams mobility and research teams development. All the above-mentioned activities will be a basis for preparing mutual applications in order to acquire external funding or publication.
For financing, teams may run consisting of at least three institutions belonging to the Arqus Alliance, associated partners included. It is vital that in each team are young researchers, but also that the teams are interdisciplinary.
The date of recruitment ends soon! The motions should be submitted via e-mail until May 23rd, 2025. The application form must be filled out in English. The total budget for 2025 amounts to 100,000 EUR, and each team may receive a grant totaling 5,000–30,000 EUR. More information is available on sites: https://arqus-alliance.eu/call/arqus-research-initiative/ and research-calls@arqusalliance.eu.
Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa is a full professor in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and manages the Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology. Her research focuses on the possibility of applying alternative antimicrobial means, including the antibacterial activity of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) and their enzymes specific for bacteria of ESKAPE group.
Translated by Maja Zaucha (English philology student at the University of Wrocław) as part of a translation internship supervised by Maria Kozan.
