Our novel project principally comprises mobilities which form the backbone of a programme for educating new leaders in astronomical research through international collaboration across old and new EU member states. This new project will make use of our previous successful partnership "Per Aspera Ad Astra Simul" which initiated these collaborations. We are a partnership of research institutes in astronomy and universities from Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain. We include a new partner Charles University widening the expected impact of the project and bringing new possibilities for participating early career researchers. Other partners are Astronomical Institute of Czech Academy of Sciences (coordinator), Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences and Comenius University on Slovak side and Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias in Spain. All partners have established track records in astronomical research. We aim at educating and fomenting the development of new leaders in astronomical research as achieved by international mobilities. Furthermore, we intend to educate our early career researchers in topics of astronomy which are active areas of research at partner institutes. In addition, we will disseminate our know-how to external audiences by organizing scientific seminars streamed live, by publishing scientific papers on hot topics in astronomy and by organizing international summer schools for early career researchers. We would like to include also an educational component by including pupils project work on selected astronomical topics which will implant a positive image of natural sciences and strengthen ties between scientific researchers and schools. Finally, the last component of our project will be a series of public lectures aimed at a broad audience, which will provide a valuable and rewarding connection between researchers and the general public. We expect a broad international impact from our project which will be mirrored by interest from the international astronomical community. Such impact can be measured by publication count and later by citation counts. The impact of seminars can be measured by online and in-person audience numbers. We also expect local impact from our educational activities of pupils and via public talks. Therefore, we will have impact from the top (not only) EU-wide level through to regional and local levels. Longer term benefits from the project will be lasting partnerships among research groups at partner institutes, new leaders which take up their appointments in next years and who will be directing new research groups and develop their own new research fields. Furthermore, we will also seed interest in pupils who hopefully acquire positive views on the natural sciences. The planned lecture series for the general public will have a long lasting effect of positive perception of astronomy on a non-academic audience.
We wanted to address the following topics: - Building of faculty leaders - Research and training of young researchers to publish better articles - Media, prepare cycles/series of YouTube videos and other educational materials about astronomy - Education of children - Education of early career researchers The main idea of the project was to help young researchers in obtaining the experience and skills required to be competitive when applying for faculty positions. Our project helped to achieve this goal by sending young researchers for mobilities to visit experienced researchers at partner institutes. Additionally, senior researchers were also sent to interact with these partner institutes, particularly engaging with early-career researchers. Thus, the main aim of the grant was to enhance the career prospects of early-career researchers. However, the second major topic covered astronomy education, targeting all ages ranging from university, high school and elementary school students through to even preschoolers. Finally, we aimed to present our research to the general public through educational materials, PR efforts on social media, and in-person talks. The two summer schools carried out were also an integral part of the project.
By applying to ERASMUS+, we intended primarily to address the limited career training opportunities for young researchers in astronomy. Our project offered new possibilities for exchanges of young researchers, which would later enable them to become new faculty leaders, while also undertaking excellent research. Furthermore, we also aimed to educate students, pupils, and even preschoolers in the natural sciences. In line with the educational purpose of the grant, we also provided insight into astronomical topics for the general public. In summary, our goal was to motivate young researchers to pursue careers in astronomy even if it is difficult to obtain permanent positions. We wanted to emphasise the importance of natural science education for all groups of students and pupils. Furthermore, we aimed to present our research to the general public. The ERASMUS+ funding scheme is the only scheme offering the possibility to address such a broad range of scientific, educative and career training topics.