Identification of Prospective Collaboration Networks in International R&D Programmes

The planning of publicly funded research and development programs can benefit from participatory foresight processes where research issues are evaluated with regard to multiple criteria. However, few approaches have been developed for the shaping of collaborative research networks through which the resulting priorities are implemented. The paper provides a methodology for the joint shaping of thematic priorities and prospective collaborative networks. The proposed PRM-Networking approach helps identify networks that are aligned with the thematic priorities and consist of research groups with shared interests. The practical use of the methodology is demonstrated with a case study on the planning of the Wood Wisdom-Net multi-national research program.