SSPA SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH CENTRE OF NAS OF BELARUS

Their core work

This is a materials science research centre under the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, specializing in advanced functional materials — from multiferroics and spintronic multilayer films to corrosion-resistant coatings and nanostructures. Their work spans fundamental research on crystal and magnetic structures, phase transitions, and light-matter interactions, with increasing applied focus on protective coatings and nanoparticle-based technologies. They contribute deep materials characterization and theoretical modeling expertise to international research networks through MSCA staff exchange programmes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2015–2018) focused squarely on fundamental condensed matter physics — multiferroics, crystal and magnetic structures, spin and structural phase transitions, and metal-insulator transitions. From 2018 onward, their portfolio broadened significantly into applied domains: spintronic device materials, environmentally friendly corrosion coatings, photochemistry, and computational modeling of light-matter interactions. This shift suggests a deliberate move from purely fundamental materials characterization toward application-oriented materials engineering and simulation.

Moving from fundamental condensed matter research toward applied functional materials — spintronics, protective coatings, and computational modeling — making them increasingly relevant for industrial materials partnerships.

How they like to work

They participate exclusively as a third-party contributor through MSCA-RISE staff exchange programmes, never as coordinator or direct consortium partner. This means they join through a host institution that is already in the consortium — a common arrangement for non-EU associated countries. With 38 unique partners across 20 countries, they maintain a broad international network despite their indirect participation mode, indicating they are a valued knowledge contributor that multiple consortia seek out.

Connected to 38 unique partners across 20 countries, entirely through MSCA-RISE mobility networks. This is a remarkably wide reach for a third-party participant, suggesting strong personal and institutional ties across European and international materials science communities.

What sets them apart

As a National Academy of Sciences institute in Belarus, they bring deep post-Soviet materials science tradition — particularly strong in condensed matter physics, magnetic materials, and theoretical modeling — at a cost structure that makes staff exchanges highly efficient. Their combination of multiferroics expertise, spintronics capabilities, and functional coatings knowledge is unusual in a single institution. For consortium builders, they offer specialized experimental and theoretical capacity that complements Western European partners, though their third-party status means integration requires an intermediary institution.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SPINMULTIFILM
  Directly targets spintronic device materials — tunneling magnetoresistance and nanoheterostructures — the most application-oriented and commercially relevant project in their portfolio.
• FUNCOAT
  Represents their clearest move into applied industrial territory: environmentally friendly corrosion protection coatings with photochemical functionality.
• TransFerr
  Their most keyword-rich project, covering multiferroics, phase transitions, and metal-insulator transitions — showcases the breadth of their fundamental materials expertise.