The GEMSTONE Project is proud to announce the release of its flagship publication, “Making It Work: GEMSTONE Project’s Better Practices for Horizon Europe Newcomers.” This new guidebook captures the lessons learned, tested methods, and pragmatic strategies developed by Acibadem University and its partners throughout the implementation of the Horizon Europe-funded GEMSTONE Project.
Developed under Work Package 6: Dissemination, Communication, and Exploitation, the book is a key output designed to serve research managers, support staff, university administrations, and policy actors in Widening countries. It aims to support their efforts in strengthening research capacity, improving institutional support systems, and increasing competitiveness in the European Research Area.
Why “Making It Work”?
Unlike traditional best practice manuals that often focus on ideal conditions, Making It Work is about real-world problem-solving. The 12 documented practices were developed and refined in response to the day-to-day challenges encountered in a large-scale, multidisciplinary, and internationally coordinated EU project.
“We wanted to share what actually worked for us – sometimes under pressure, often through trial and error,” said Cem Ozturk, Project Manager of GEMSTONE. “These are not just ‘best practices’ – they are ‘better practices,’ shaped by experience and ready to be adapted by others. The term acknowledges that our practices are built upon existing methods, promoting continual learning. They are starting points for newcomers to improve upon – not prescriptive formulas.”
What’s inside?
The book is structured around four thematic pillars that reflect the multifaceted nature of research excellence in Widening contexts:
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Financial & Resource Management
- Institutional Capacity & Team Development
- Operational Flexibility & Risk Management
Each practice includes a clear problem statement, the solution applied by the GEMSTONE team, and the resulting impact. Topics range from managing budget volatility outside the Eurozone and overcoming visa barriers, to involving administrative staff and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Who should read this?
This publication is specifically designed for:
- Research managers and research support staff working in universities, research centres, and project offices in Widening countries
- University leaders, including rectors, deans, and scientific directors
- Public administrators and policymakers in ministries of research, science, and higher education
- And all stakeholders interested in improving the institutional conditions for successful participation in Horizon Europe and beyond
Whether you are managing your first EU project or looking to strengthen your institution’s support systems, this guide offers concrete, proven strategies that can be tailored to your unique context.
Contributing to a broader mission
The GEMSTONE Project is funded under the Horizon Europe WIDERA Twinning Scheme and coordinated by Acıbadem University (Turkey), in partnership with Lund University (Sweden) and ICONS (Italy).
While the project focuses on cutting-edge neuroscience research and gene engineering, it also tackles a key structural goal: enabling Widening institutions to compete more effectively on the European research stage. This publication is a cornerstone of this effort, embodying the project’s commitment to knowledge sharing, peer learning, and systemic improvement.
Get the book
The publication is now available for free download on the GEMSTONE Project website. Limited print versions are available within Turkey upon request.
- Download the digital copy here.
- Contact to request a hard copy (only within Turkey): gemstone@acibadem.edu.tr
Let’s make research excellence work – together.