On April 8–9, 2025, the VASSAL Project successfully hosted a two-day workshop in Brno, welcoming David Kolman from TU Wien’s Funding Support and Industry Relations Unit (FSIRU). Building on the momentum of the January workshop in Vienna, this event continued the exchange of knowledge and best practices between partners from Brno University of Technology (BUT) and TU Wien, with a focus on project management and technology transfer within the framework of Horizon Europe.
Targeted at project managers and stakeholders involved in EU-funded initiatives, the workshop provided an in-depth look at the operational models supporting successful research and innovation projects at TU Wien.
The first day of the workshop began with a welcome session, followed by an expert presentation from David Kolman, who detailed the structure and services of TU Wien’s project support framework. He highlighted tailored assistance available to researchers, including guidance on ERC proposals and other competitive funding schemes. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to TU Wien’s internal “Project WIKI” system, which serves as a centralised knowledge management and process support tool. This session inspired discussions around the potential development of a similar resource at BUT’s Faculty of Information Technology to streamline internal coordination and institutional learning.
The second day addressed international cooperation and mechanisms for effective technology transfer. Participants explored TU Wien’s approaches to building successful consortia, identifying suitable project partners, and managing collaboration with industry. Key themes included intellectual property rights (IPR), innovation valorisation, and strategies that have contributed to the success of Austrian R&I partnerships. The event concluded with individual consultations and networking opportunities, enabling tailored advice and deeper engagement.
Reflecting on the workshop, VASSAL Project Coordinator Doc. RNDr. Milan Češka, Ph.D., said:
“We were very pleased to welcome David Kolman to Brno. His insights into TU Wien’s internal processes and project support systems were extremely valuable for our teams. I also appreciated the active participation from colleagues across different faculties and university departments. This event has strengthened our collaboration, and we look forward to building on this partnership in future VASSAL activities.”
The Brno workshop marks another milestone in the VASSAL Project’s efforts to enhance institutional collaboration and build robust support structures for EU research and innovation projects.
