METEOR Kicks Off: A Promising Start to a Transformative Project

Warsaw, Poland – The METEOR project has officially commenced with a successful Kick-off Meeting held on January 28-29, 2025, at the Hotel Mercure Warszawa Grand. This pivotal event brought together all 13 partner organisations, setting the foundation for the project’s ambitious three-year journey aimed at improving PhD programs and research training across partner countries.

Two Days of Collaboration and Strategic Planning

The meeting began with an engaging Welcome Session, where partners introduced themselves and outlined expectations for the project. An online presentation by the EC Project Officer provided crucial insights into project implementation and reporting requirements, ensuring all teams are aligned with the administrative and strategic framework of METEOR.

The first day focused on key work packages:

WP1: METEOR Management – CASE led discussions on project governance, roles, and responsibilities to ensure smooth coordination.
WP2: Evidence – ISU presented the objectives of this critical work package, which aims to establish a baseline for PhD programs and processes in partner countries. This will be the foundation upon which the project’s interventions are built.
WP3: Training Development – CB provided an overview of how the consortium will create innovative training programs tailored to the needs of doctoral researchers.
The day concluded with Presentations on Relevant Projects & Research, allowing partners to draw inspiration from existing initiatives and explore potential synergies.

The second day was dedicated to further work package discussions and strategic planning:

WP4: Implementation – RU guided the team through the steps required to put the project’s vision into action.
WP5: Policy & Impact – JYU elaborated on how METEOR will contribute to shaping PhD education policies in Europe and beyond.
WP6: Dissemination, Communication and Exploitation – SYNYO shared strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and knowledge dissemination beyond the project’s timeline.

The Closing Session wrapped up the two-day meeting with a comprehensive discussion on the next steps, reinforcing a shared commitment to the project’s goals.

What’s Next? A Strong Focus on Evidence

As the METEOR project progresses, the immediate focus will be on WP2 (Evidence). This phase will involve data collection, analysis, and benchmarking to gain a clear understanding of the current state of PhD programs in partner countries. The findings will guide the development of training models and policy recommendations, ensuring that METEOR’s impact is deeply rooted in evidence-based insights.

A Thank You to Our Partners

We extend our gratitude to all participants who contributed to the success of this Kick-off Meeting. Your dedication and expertise set the tone for a collaborative and impactful project.

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