ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Ilia State University is a major Georgian university based in Tbilisi with research strengths spanning neuroscience, science-society relations, and space research coordination. Their H2020 work reveals two distinct threads: advancing responsible research and public engagement practices across European universities (NUCLEUS), and conducting molecular-level neuroscience research on visual memory and chromatin biology (CHARM-Vis). They also serve as Georgia's connection point to European space research networks through National Contact Point activities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2015) centered on responsible research and public engagement — embedding science-society dialogue into university governance through NUCLEUS. By 2019, the focus split in two directions: they took on a coordination role in molecular neuroscience (CHARM-Vis) while also joining European space NCP networks (COSMOS2020plus). This shift from soft science-policy work toward hard laboratory science and space sector networking suggests a university broadening its European research footprint across very different domains.

Moving from support roles in science-society projects toward leading their own research in neuroscience, while building connections to the European space sector — expect growing independence and thematic diversification.

How they like to work

With 1 coordinated and 2 participant roles across 3 projects, Ilia State University is transitioning from a junior consortium member to a project leader. Their 46 unique partners across 27 countries — remarkably broad for just 3 projects — indicate they work in large, pan-European consortia rather than small focused teams. This wide but shallow network suggests they are still building their European presence and would be an accessible partner for new collaborations, particularly for consortia seeking Georgian or South Caucasus representation.

Despite only 3 projects, they have collaborated with 46 partners across 27 countries — a wide European and international network built through large CSA consortia. This gives them unusual geographic reach for a Georgian institution.

What sets them apart

As one of Georgia's leading universities, Ilia State University offers something rare in H2020 consortia: a capable research partner from the South Caucasus region with genuine European network integration. Their CHARM-Vis coordination proves they can lead EU-funded research, not just participate. For consortium builders needing Widening Country or Associated Country partners with real scientific capacity — particularly in neuroscience or science communication — they are a credible choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CHARM-Vis
  Their only coordinated project and largest grant (EUR 137K), an MSCA Individual Fellowship in molecular neuroscience — demonstrates independent research leadership capacity.
• NUCLEUS
  Large-scale CSA on embedding public engagement in universities, connecting Ilia State to a broad European network of higher education institutions.