A new era for TRUST and Equity in ReseArch

Funding programme: Horizon Europe Programme (WIDERA ERA)

Project duration: January 2027 – December 2029

Project budget at the University of Tartu: EUR 194,175

Principal Investigator: Kadri Simm
Project Team Members: Margit Sutrop, Mari-Liisa Parder

The importance of research is widely recognised. As highlighted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the World Economic Forum, research can help build a better future. Yet, inequitable research is more likely to build barriers and create distrust than shape a better world. TRUST-ERA seeks to address this concern, enabling a flourishing research ethics and integrity ecosystem that supports fair benefit sharing and helps to prevent ethics dumping.

This will be achieved by a consortium with senior representation from four continents; a majority of women team leaders; a significant proportion of partners from lower income countries, including those who represent vulnerable populations; and a commitment to a values-based research culture.

The project will identify and analyse barriers to effective benefit sharing and the reliable prevention of ethics dumping, while proposing practical solutions to address these challenges. Quality-assured toolkits will be developed that are grounded in rigorous methodologies and evidence-informed knowledge to facilitate equitable partnerships and prevent harm in the research ethics and integrity ecosystem. Research ethics and integrity training and curricula for researchers will draw upon the most effective practices of the past 10 years to promote equitable research and robust ethics review processes. Broad uptake of the project’s outputs will be fostered through impactful dissemination and effective advocacy for responsible research and innovation built on the TRUST values of fairness, respect, care, and honesty.