The Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg – Hungary (iASK) is pleased to announce a unique 2026 Research Fellowship for scholars whose work aligns with the priorities of the BIOEAST Macro-Region. This autonomous, multidisciplinary fellowship offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of European soil and water policy through cutting-edge research at the intersection of science, policy, and regional development.

Focus: The Critical Soil-Water-Climate Nexus

In direct alignment with the EU’s Soil Mission and the ongoing SOLO Project (Horizon 2022, running until November 2027), this fellowship invites researchers to conduct a comparative analysis linking SOLO’s emerging Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) with the specific environmental challenges and priorities of the BIOEAST region.

The SOLO Project — a flagship initiative to map knowledge gaps and innovation pathways for European soil health — is actively integrating regional perspectives. BIOEAST experts have already been engaged in reviewing key SOLO outputs, including the Outlook on Soil Pollution and Restoration, where the macro-region’s unique context is explicitly recognized.

Now, this fellowship empowers you to deepen that collaboration by investigating how soil health, water retention, and climate resilience intersect across BIOEAST countries — particularly in light of:

• The EU Water Resilience Directive
• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), especially eco-schemes and conditionality
• The Third River Basin Management Plans and Second Flood Risk Management Plans

Why This Matters

The BIOEAST region — encompassing Central and Eastern European countries — faces distinct pressures: degraded soils, fragmented water cycles, and under-resourced land management systems. During Hungary’s EU Presidency, the Water-Soil-Climate Nexus was elevated as a top-tier priority. Restoring small water cycles through improved soil health is no longer a niche concern — it is a strategic imperative for regional sustainability and climate adaptation.

This fellowship provides the platform to:

• Identify region-specific knowledge gaps not yet reflected in the EU-wide Soil Mission roadmap
• Propose targeted research and innovation actions tailored to BIOEAST’s natural, social, and economic contexts
• Strengthen the voice of the region in shaping future EU funding priorities under Horizon Europe and COST
• Lay the groundwork for new international collaborations — including with the upcoming UN University Institute in Kőszeg

Fellowship Details

• Duration: 3–5 months (flexible, starting as early as 15 February 2026)
• Support: Financial stipend provided by iASK
• Deadline: 10 December 2025 — Apply now to secure your place in shaping 2026’s research agenda
• Eligibility: Researchers from or with strong ties to the BIOEAST macro-region, working in soil science, hydrology, environmental policy, agriculture, or related interdisciplinary fields

Policy Impact You Can Drive

Your research will directly inform European policy implementation. By bridging SOLO’s EU-wide framework with BIOEAST’s ground realities, you will help ensure that soil and water policies are not only scientifically robust — but also regionally relevant and equitable.

How to Apply

Visit the official application portal for full details on eligibility, required documents, and selection criteria:
https://iask.hu/en/research-and-studies/research-applications/

For Questions, Contact:

• Ms. Judit Pump
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• Mr. Barna Kovács
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Don’t just observe the future of European soil policy — help design it.
Apply by 10 December 2025 and become a catalyst for change in the BIOEAST region and beyond.

In partnership with the SOLO Project (soils4europe.eu) and the BIOEAST Macro-Region Initiative.
Supported by the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK), Hungary.