The first wave of European Partnerships in HEU will start with the work programmes 2021/2022. The following indicative timeline shows the process of their implementation:

• Q1/2021: Adoption of COM proposals for Article 185/187 initiatives
• Q2/2021: Publication of Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021/2022 including co-programmed and co-funded European Partnerships
• Q2/2021: Start of co-programmed European Partnerships
• Q4/2021: Adoption of Article 185 and 187 basic acts by (European Parliament for Art 185 and) Council for Art 167
• Q4/2021 – Q1/2022: Start of the first co-funded European Partnerships

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduced specific rules for two or more entities that jointly determine the purposes and means of processing personal data. Since joint processing occurs in many ERA-NET Cofunds and other partnerships, many networks have identified the need to specify each partners’ roles and responsibilities for the processing of personal data in their collaboration agreements. Science Europe has set up a working group that aims to develop a common template for joint controller agreements or data sharing agreements (in the case of separate controlling). Whilst this work is still ongoing, several examples of agreements used by existing ERA-NET Cofunds can be found on the ERA-LEARN website.

On 4 March 2021, ERA-LEARN organized an online workshop to support the preparation of the new co-funded partnerships in Horizon Europe. The slides and a summary of the questions and answers of the workshop are available for information.

Partnerships play an important role in European RDI cooperation with global partners. On April 22, ERA-LEARN will organize an online-workshop about functional practices and emerging issues. It follows in-depth interviews with globalizing Partnerships and global counterparts. Topics may include appropriate coordination between Partnership- and policy level, ethical aspects of global cooperation, and customised approaches for the integration of global partners.