MACEDONIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND ARTS

Their core work

The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) is North Macedonia's premier national academy, conducting research across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In H2020, they focused on strengthening research ecosystems in the Western Balkans — from researcher mobility and career development to understanding violent extremism and embedding responsible research practices. They serve as a national anchor institution connecting Macedonian researchers to European frameworks and addressing regional societal challenges like radicalization prevention and science policy reform.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

MASA's H2020 trajectory shows a clear shift from inward-facing capacity building to outward-facing societal challenges. Their early work (ENCIRCLE, 2017) focused on strengthening Macedonia's own research infrastructure — researcher careers, mobility, and EURAXESS integration. By 2020-2021, they had pivoted to tackling complex regional issues: violent extremism prevention in the Balkans and MENA (CONNEKT), and embedding responsible innovation practices across the entire Western Balkan region (WBC-RRI.NET). This evolution suggests a growing confidence and expanded scope from national research support to regional policy and security research.

MASA is moving toward becoming a regional hub for social sciences research addressing security, governance, and responsible innovation across the Western Balkans.

How they like to work

MASA operates primarily as a participant in medium-to-large consortia, though they have demonstrated coordination capability (ENCIRCLE). With 25 unique partners across 16 countries from just 3 projects, they clearly favor broad, multinational consortia rather than small bilateral arrangements. This wide network relative to their project count suggests they are well-connected nationally and seen as the go-to Macedonian partner for projects needing Western Balkan representation.

Despite only 3 projects, MASA has built a remarkably broad network of 25 partners across 16 countries — heavily weighted toward European and MENA/Balkan regions. This spread reflects their role as a national academy that serves as a gateway institution for North Macedonia in international research collaborations.

What sets them apart

MASA is North Macedonia's national academy — there is no equivalent institution in the country. This gives them unique convening power and legitimacy for any EU project requiring Macedonian participation, particularly in widening and societal challenge calls. For consortium builders targeting the Western Balkans, MASA offers institutional prestige, established networks, and deep familiarity with regional research policy landscapes that universities or smaller institutes cannot match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ENCIRCLE
  MASA's only coordinated project, focused on building Macedonia's EURAXESS capacity — demonstrates their ability to lead, not just participate.
• CONNEKT
  Largest single funding (EUR 133,390), tackling violent extremism across MENA and Balkans — shows MASA engaging with high-profile security and societal research.
• WBC-RRI.NET
  Addresses responsible research and innovation across the entire Western Balkans region — positions MASA as a regional science policy actor.