T4I

Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Widening and strenghtening the European Research Area

Project reference: 101311065 

Principal investigator: Lorenzo Compagnucci

Role UniMC: Partner

Consortium: ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS (GR - Coordinator), CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DO MAR DO ALGARVE (PT), University of Donja Gorica (ME), University of Novi Sad (RS), IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS (GR), Instytut Podstawowych Problemów Techniki POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK (PL), Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar (BA), HIVE VENTURES LIMITED (MT), UNIWERSYTET WARSZAWSKI (PL WARSZAW01), UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA (E BARCELO02), TILBURG UNIVERSITY (NL), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IT)

Runtime: from 01.01.2027 to 31.12.2031

Short description: The T4I proposal aims to tackle a double challenge: 1) the rising risks associated with food safety, authenticity and traceability (FSA&T) and persistent excellence and 2) the digital gaps in the universities of Widening countries. Many Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in EL, PT, PL, RS, ME, and BiH still rely on publication-centric assessment, fragmented research management and weak AI/FAIR data capacity, thus limiting their contribution to safer and more sustainable food systems in Europe. T4I brings together leading Widening HEIs and advanced partners to redesign how institutions govern, plan and valorise FSA&T research. T4I couples CoARA-aligned assessment and Human Resources reform with professionalised research support offices, digital transformation roadmaps, and AI-assisted portfolio planning. A joint Strategic R&I Agenda on FSA&T underpins a network of interdisciplinary hubs that co-create Pilot Case Studies with authorities, SMEs and citizens, using shared facilities, FAIR-by-design data services and trustworthy AI tools. Through targeted training, mentoring and mobility, T4I equips researchers, research managers and young talent with skills in open science, data stewardship, innovation, entrepreneurship and ecosystem brokerage. Sustainability roadmaps, a Policy & Foresight Observatory and alliance governance templates ensure that reforms, hubs and pilot solutions outlive T4I and diffuse to other HEIs and regions. By 2031, T4I will have: embedded modern assessment and OS/FAIR practices in at least 5 Widening HEIs; operationalised ≥3 interdisciplinary hubs and a portfolio of FSA&T case studies reaching TRL5–7; strengthened participation of Widening HEIs in international calls for proposals and alliances; and generated new opportunities for deep-tech SMEs in FSA&T. By doing so, T4I will turn Widening HEIs into resilient, AI-ready engines of scientific excellence, innovation and public trust in Europe’s food system.

Total cost: € 4.998.784,50

EU contribution: €  4.998.784,50

EU contribution to UniMC: €  336.250,00