CONVELOP - COOPERATIVE KNOWLEDGE DESIGN GMBH

Their core work

Convelop is a Graz-based consultancy specializing in knowledge design, responsible research and innovation (RRI), and science governance within large-scale European research infrastructures. Their entire H2020 portfolio is embedded in the Human Brain Project flagship, where they contributed to the non-technical dimensions — likely responsible innovation frameworks, knowledge transfer, and societal engagement. As a small private company operating inside one of Europe's most ambitious research programs, they bridge the gap between complex neuroscience initiatives and broader societal accountability.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016-2018), Convelop entered the Human Brain Project ecosystem during SGA1, working within a broad neuroscience scope covering brain simulation, reconstruction, and biological signatures of disease. By the later period (2018-2023), their involvement deepened with keywords like EBRAINS, research infrastructure, cognition, and cognitive architecture gaining prominence — indicating a shift from supporting foundational research phases toward helping build and govern the lasting EBRAINS infrastructure platform. This evolution mirrors the HBP's own trajectory from research exploration to infrastructure consolidation.

Convelop is moving toward supporting the long-term governance and responsible operation of European research infrastructures like EBRAINS, making them a relevant partner for any project needing RRI or knowledge management expertise.

How they like to work

Convelop operates exclusively as a participant in very large consortia — their 159 unique partners across 19 countries reflect the massive scale of the Human Brain Project, not independent partnership building. They have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is consistent with their role as a specialist service provider embedded within flagship initiatives. Working with them means engaging a focused SME that delivers specific non-technical contributions without competing for scientific leadership.

Through the Human Brain Project, Convelop has touched 159 unique consortium partners across 19 countries, giving them an extensive contact network across Europe's top neuroscience and computing institutions. However, this network is concentrated within a single flagship ecosystem rather than built through diverse independent collaborations.

What sets them apart

Convelop occupies an unusual niche: a small Austrian consultancy embedded inside Europe's largest brain research flagship, handling the knowledge design and responsible innovation dimensions that large research institutions often struggle with internally. Their sustained presence across all three HBP grant agreements (2016-2023) demonstrates trusted delivery in a high-profile, politically sensitive program. For consortium builders needing RRI expertise or knowledge management in complex multi-partner projects, Convelop brings both methodology and direct experience from one of the EU's most scrutinized research initiatives.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HBP SGA3
  Largest funding (EUR 403,517) and the final phase of the Human Brain Project, focused on consolidating EBRAINS as a permanent European research infrastructure.
• ICEI
  Dedicated computing infrastructure project for HBP, involving interactive supercomputing and federated data — distinct from the main HBP scientific work.