About

Baltic Science Network – Connecting Through Science

Baltic Science Network (BSN) is a forum for higher education, science and research cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

BSN is a network gathering relevant transnational, national and regional policy actors from the Baltic Sea Region countries. The Network provides a platform for multilateral cooperation to ensure that the Baltic Sea Region remains a hub for research and innovation excellence. Recommendations jointly formulated by the Network members address the European, national and regional policy-making levels.

The Baltic Science Network is a flagship of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region under the Policy Area Education, Research and Employability. It is also one of two cornerstones of the Science, Research and Innovation Agenda of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

BSN_powerhouse

BSN_powerhouse is an extension of the Baltic Science Network (BSN) project. While BSN has provided relevant stakeholders (e.g. science ministries, governmental agencies and university networks) with a general platform to devise joint strategic approaches, BSN_Powerhouse will now go one step further to implementation.

BSN_Powerhouse aims to provide transnational funding and support instruments to help research infrastructures expand their cooperation to increase competiveness and scientific excellence in the region.

The project focusses on three thematic priority areas: Photon and Neutron Science, Life Sciences and Welfare State.

Two support instruments will be implemented, tested and evaluated.

  1. The LaunchPad:RI_Connectors will attempt to widen participation of research infrastructures (RI) in the field of photon and neutron science. EU13 small-scale RI will be matched with large-scale RI to become dedicated partner facilities. The instrument will help to overcome the gap in research and innovation performance among BNS countries. 
  2. BARI (Baltic Science Network Mobility Programme for Research Internships) offers doctoral students the possibility to hire master or bachelor level students for a research internship. Working jointly on a research project will foster personal ties between nationalities as well as interest in research and scientific cooperation. Additionally, the PHD students will gain valuable leadership skills.

BSN_Powerhouse will test out a new decentralized and flexible funding mode that can serve as a model for multi-level governance and funding. The test run will serve as a proof of concept regarding the added value and impact of the new instruments and the functionality of its structure and governance, and will be the basis for negotiating long-term funding of the instruments.