AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA FOUNDATION

Their core work

The American University of Armenia Foundation (AUAF) is a higher education institution based in Yerevan that contributes applied research in drone-based disaster response systems, trust and policy analysis, and digital ocean technologies. Within EU projects, they bring expertise in multi-drone coordination for emergency management, social science perspectives on trust and expertise in policymaking, and immersive data visualisation for maritime applications. Their work spans from technical UAV systems to social epistemology and digital twins, suggesting a multidisciplinary university with both engineering and social science research capacity.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AUAF's H2020 involvement began in 2019 with technically focused work on multi-drone systems for disaster management and emergency coordination (RESPONDRONE). By 2020-2022, their portfolio shifted toward social science and ethics (PERITIA on trust in policymaking) and large-scale digital infrastructure for ocean monitoring (ILIAD). The trajectory shows a move from security-oriented UAV engineering toward broader interdisciplinary contributions combining technology with social and environmental dimensions.

AUAF is moving toward larger-scale digital infrastructure and interdisciplinary research that bridges technology with social science, making them an increasingly versatile consortium partner.

How they like to work

AUAF has participated exclusively as a partner, never as a coordinator, across all three projects. With 85 unique consortium partners across 22 countries, they operate within large international consortia — their average consortium size is substantial. This profile suggests a reliable contributing partner who can deliver within large, complex projects but does not drive project leadership or design.

Despite only three projects, AUAF has built a remarkably wide network of 85 partners across 22 countries, reflecting participation in large pan-European consortia. Their reach extends well beyond the South Caucasus region into mainstream European research networks.

What sets them apart

As an Armenian institution with strong American academic ties, AUAF offers a rare bridge between EU research networks and the South Caucasus region. Their thematic range — from drone engineering to social epistemology to digital ocean twins — indicates a genuinely multidisciplinary university rather than a single-lab operation. For consortium builders needing geographic diversity or Neighbourhood Country participation, AUAF is one of very few Armenian institutions active in H2020.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ILIAD
  Their largest H2020 contribution (EUR 406K) in a major digital ocean initiative — signals growing capacity and trust from consortium leaders.
• PERITIA
  Unusual topic for a technical university — policy trust and social epistemology — reveals unexpected social science depth.
• RESPONDRONE
  Their entry point into H2020, combining UAV technology with real-world disaster and migration response scenarios.