The concept of ‘impact’ in the field of research and innovation has increasingly become a bandied-about buzzword. Researchers, innovators, universities, research institutions, and consortia vying for EU funding need to do more than present groundbreaking ideas. They must now convincingly demonstrate how their work translates into societal, economic, and environmental benefits. But what exactly does ‘impact’ mean, and how can it be achieved?
META Group has been answering this question over the last 30 years and so is uniquely positioned to share and transmit its experiences to the R&D community, along the “pathway to impact”. By working alongside the European Commission and targeted projects in the scientific and social sciences and humanities, META Group has become a trusted name in defining, achieving, and driving impact.
What does impact really mean?
Impact is about addressing real-world challenges and delivering measurable and meaningful change. Every solution starts as a response to a problem or an unmet societal need. For instance, urban areas have long struggled with air pollution, posing severe health risks to residents. This challenge inspired the development of vertical gardens and green roofs, which not only absorb pollutants but also lower urban temperatures and can lead to a renewal of local biodiversity. Initially adopted as experimental projects in a few cities, these green infrastructures have now become integral to urban planning policies in Europe and beyond, demonstrating their ability to improve quality of life and address environmental concerns.
The journey from identifying a problem to delivering a solution with societal benefits perfectly illustrates the very essence of impact. It’s not just about the act of measuring. More than that, it is about making sure that a novel solution is used and produces an effect or an outcome, and that it is capable of mobilising and with time, turning into a benefit. At META Group, we believe that impactful initiatives must be designed with use in mind, not retrofitted to meet metrics.
Distinct approaches for distinct scenarios
What sets META Group apart is its approach to achieving impact beyond the theoretical, together with its proactive methodology. We focus on exploitation, that is, the maximising of the use of research results, and dissemination, the effective promotion of those results to relevant audiences. This means we help research teams bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world adoption. Through initiatives like the European Commission’s Booster, META Group has refined tools, services and techniques to guide researchers in amplifying their projects’ value and market-readiness.
Our expertise spans diverse fields, allowing us to tailor our strategies to meet the unique needs of each project and move beyond generalist approaches. By embedding ‘use’ as a base for achieving impact into the DNA of research strategies, we can ensure that results resonate well beyond their initial funding phase.
Learn more and join us in Brussels
We’ll be applying this know-how in January 2025 with a tailored training session in Brussels: Securing EU Research Funding by Communicating & Demonstrating Societal Impact.
Organised by AESIS Network, this hands-on course aims to equip research managers and administrators with the tools to:
- Navigate EU research funding applications.
- Effectively demonstrate societal and economic impact in proposals.
- Build successful consortia and partnerships to increase funding success.
On top of the basic theory, the training intends to offer practical insights, case studies, and applicable strategies. Participants will learn how to integrate impact into research strategies, collaborate effectively with partners, and complete assignments designed to achieve real-world funding prospects.
📅 When? 22-24 January 2025
📍 Where? Brussels, Belgium
✅ Register here: https://aesisnet.com/events/euf25/