GRACE

GRACE (Grounding RRI Actions to Achieve Institutional Change in European Research Funding and Performing Organisations) aimed to contribute to the EC objective of spreading and embedding Responsible Research and Innovation in the European Research Area. This has been done through the development of a set of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) Grounding Actions (GAs) in six RFPOs which lead to fundamental RRI-oriented institutional changes during the project. For each RFPO, the GAs were incorporated in a 8-year long "Roadmap towards RRI" to set a solid platform for attaining further institutional changes during the 'after GRACE' 5 year of the roadmap.

The project developed in a co-creating environment, via an intense mutual learning programme including the 6 partners implementing the GAs (implementing organisations) and the 4 partners assisting with their comprehensive expertise on RRI (co-operating organisations). A suited evaluation and impact assessment scheme were developed to oversee and monitor the project processes and impacts, applying MoRRI and SDGs indicators, and SwafS KPIs.

The project consisted of:

1. Preparatory phase (M1-M10) designing the GAs and defining the six Roadmaps for the implementing organizations;
2. Development and mutual learning phase (M11-M34) where the GAs were implemented; and
3. Stocktaking phase (M30-M36) ensuring the long-term (after project) sustainability of GAs and the preparation of a Guidance to support the implementing organization to successfully pursue the work outlined in the Roadmaps. A well-substantiated management system, and set of communication and dissemination activities ensured smooth project implementation.

GRACE involved 10 partners from 9 EC member states. It was composed of 8 WPs:

• WP1 Ethics;
• WP2 Management;
• WP3 Governance and mutual learning;
• WP4-5-6 GAs related to citizen engagement in science, science education and open access, and gender equality, research ethics and integrity, respectively;
• WP7 Evaluation and Impact Assessment of GAs;
• WP8 Outreach, communication, dissemination and exploitation.

Duration of the project

2019 - 2021

Awarded grant

1,499,965 euros (of which 159,850 euros for the UG), obtained from Horizon 2020

Contact persons at our Faculty

Prof. G.P. (Jeanne) Mifsud Bonnici
Mr. M. (Melania) Tudorica

Websites with additional information