WARIE – Widening AI Research and Innovation for Excellence in the Eastern Partnership
WARIE (Widening AI Research and Innovation for Excellence in the Eastern Partnership) is a European Union-funded project aimed at strengthening research excellence, institutional capacities and innovation ecosystems in Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The project addresses key challenges in research governance, digital infrastructure, institutional development and cooperation between academia and industry. By fostering closer integration with the European Research Area (ERA), WARIE seeks to enhance the international competitiveness of research institutions in the Eastern Partnership region and promote the application of AI to societal challenges, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.
Project Aim and Objectives
The overall aim of WARIE is to position Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as an emerging regional hub for AI research and innovation through institutional modernization, capacity building, research excellence and sustainable European cooperation.
The project pursues five interconnected objectives:
- Institutional Transformation for ERA Alignment – Modernizing research governance, institutional policies and research assessment practices in line with European standards.
- Empowering Early-Stage AI Leaders – Developing the skills and competencies of researchers, technical personnel and research management staff, while supporting a new generation of AI research leaders.
- Establishing Interdisciplinary AI Centers of Research Excellence – Strengthening interdisciplinary research capacities and promoting innovative AI applications, particularly in health and agriculture.
- Building AI-Ready Digital Research Infrastructures – Advancing digital transformation, Open Science and FAIR data practices to support high-quality research and international collaboration.
- Enabling Deep and Sustainable Integration into the ERA – Expanding European research partnerships, knowledge exchange and long-term institutional cooperation.
WARIE in Numbers:
With a total Horizon Europe funding of €4.2 million, WARIE brings together 13 partner institutions from three Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova.
The project aims to train 120 early-stage researchers in advanced AI, establish six Centers of Research Excellence, develop six digital research platforms, and support 12 seed research projects.
Its activities focus on two strategic priority areas — health and agriculture — while fostering cross-border collaboration through a regional Eastern Partnership AI Researcher Network.
These expected outcomes reflect WARIE’s commitment to building sustainable research capacities, strengthening institutional excellence and supporting long-term integration into the European Research Area.
Approach and Expected Impact
WARIE combines institutional reforms, professional development, research excellence, digital transformation and European integration into a comprehensive framework for strengthening research and innovation capacities.
Through these complementary activities, the project is expected to contribute to improved research governance, enhanced institutional competitiveness, the development of highly skilled AI researchers and the establishment of sustainable research infrastructures.
Special attention is given to promoting Open Science, responsible research assessment aligned with CoARA principles, knowledge valorization and stronger links between research institutions, industry and European research networks.
Sustainability and Long-Term Vision
WARIE places strong emphasis on ensuring that its results extend beyond the project implementation period. Sustainability will be supported through the institutional integration of new governance practices, continued operation of research infrastructures, long-term cooperation agreements and the development of future European research initiatives.
The project also aims to ensure continued access to research outputs, training materials and digital resources, strengthening the long-term contribution of participating institutions to the European Research Area.
Participation of the Technical University of Moldova
As a project partner, the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) participates in this international initiative aimed at advancing AI research excellence, strengthening institutional research capacities and expanding cooperation within the European research and innovation ecosystem.
Through its involvement in WARIE, UTM contributes to the broader objective of fostering sustainable research development and strengthening the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Research Area.
Project website: https://warie-93-187-165-4.sslip.io/