BREATH · Empowering Research Talent: Building R&I Talent Ecosystems to Advance Careers in Health Innovation

The BREATH project aims to build a well-structured and sustainable Talent Ecosystem in Health Innovation (HI) management in three key European regions—Catalonia, Flanders, and Lithuania—where talent managers from academic and non-academic institutions collaborate to drive institutional changes and implement initiatives that enhance researchers’ careers, talent retention and mobility.To achieve this, BREATH will first engage all relevant stakeholders to assess the current needs of the HI ecosystem, including labour market demands, skills gaps, and the identification of current and future career paths. The goal is to provide Early-Career Researchers (ECR) with tools and guidance specifically tailored for the HI field through the BREATH Experience. The objectives of this experience are twofold: (a) to deliver personalised training to ECR, achieved by collaboratively developing tailored career paths, pinpointing essential skills for each path, and addressing skill gaps with customised training modules; and (b) to provide individualised guidance through enhanced career support services at partner universities. A key output will be the creation of a Career Path Guidance Platform, which will serve as a centralised resource for ECRs to explore career paths, identify up-to-date skills in HI, and access tailored training opportunities. The project will pilot and evaluate these new career paths, training programs, and guidance services across the three regions. The findings will contribute to policy formulation aimed at improving research career management at national and European levels, focusing on attractive career opportunities and effective talent development strategies for researchers.In summary, the BREATH project aims to enhance the European research landscape, empowering ECRs and ensuring the research and innovation sectors are equipped with the talent needed to thrive in a competitive global market.