In order to implement the updated EUSDR Action plan and contribute to enhancing the participation of the Danube countries in the European Research Area; the Priority Area 7 coordination team distributed in 2020 two types of online questionnaires focused on mapping the participation of Danube region researchers in Horizon 2020.

One of these questionnaires addressed policymakers, the other one was dedicated to national contact points, agencies and/or applicants/potential applicants/and participants and other relevant stakeholders. The questionnaire for policymakers was oriented on defining the strengths and gaps in terms of (non)participation of researchers from particular countries (regions) in Horizon 2020 and/or other European grant schemes. The questionnaire for participants (applicants) from the Danube Region was focused on the motives and barriers to the (non)participation in the Horizon 2020 programme.

The obtained answers helped in mapping the main reasons leading to participation, respectively barriers to participation in projects, and showed us both strengths in the national management of the programme, as well as gaps in terms of missed opportunities, policy shortcomings, national/regional support mechanisms for applicants, etc.

As a tangible result EUSDR PA7 carried out an analysis on PA7 analysis on H2020 participation, describing the participation patterns in Horizon 2020 and the possible causes for the lower participation of researchers from particular Danube region countries, as well offering recommendations for improving the situation in the region.