Interdisciplinarity & collaboration

Contemporary research breakthroughs increasingly emerge from interdisciplinary collaboration and the pooling of diverse expertise. Recognizing this, the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) has made cooperation and open communication – both within the Foundation and with external partners – a strategic priority. In an era where cross-disciplinary synergies are a fundamental driver of innovation, NHRF actively cultivates networks that bring together scientists and institutions from different fields to tackle complex problems from multiple angles.

Fostering Internal Synergies

Within NHRF, researchers from different Institutes and disciplines work closely together, exchanging methodologies and sharing specialized infrastructure. This in-house interdisciplinarity is systematically encouraged, enabling joint development of research initiatives that transcend traditional boundaries. By combining the strengths of the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities under one roof, the Foundation sparks new research approaches that are more integrated and innovative. For example, NHRF has launched an internal exploratory research program designed to unite its diverse Institutes on common projects, ensuring that historians, chemists, biologists, and physicists (among others) collaborate and learn from each other. Similarly, NHRF is establishing a new Center of Excellence focused on advanced organic materials and novel approaches to cancer theranostics and bioelectronic applications. This Center will leverage the combined expertise of NHRF’s chemical biology and physical science researchers to develop cutting-edge solutions in cancer diagnostics and treatment, exemplifying how internal collaboration accelerates scientific progress.

Global Partnerships and Networks

NHRF’s commitment to collaboration extends globally. The Foundation actively participates in numerous European and international research networks and centers of excellence, forging partnerships that amplify the impact of Greek research abroad. NHRF scientists engage in multinational projects funded by the European Union and other international bodies, often leading or co-leading such initiatives. For instance, NHRF coordinates the Horizon Europe project ENVESOME (“The Environmental Exposome and Health”), a four-year interdisciplinary effort with 14 partner institutions across Europe to study how environmental exposures affect human health. It is also a founding member of the Global Exposome Forum together with renown institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Columbia University, INSERM and the University of Utrecht. NHRF is a key participant in the European partnership PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals), a large-scale initiative uniting over 200 organizations in more than 20 countries to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment methods with a focus on sustainability and the design of safer chemicals and materials .

International collaboration at NHRF is not limited to the natural sciences. In the realm of humanities and social sciences, NHRF has joined forces with major academic institutions to establish HESTIA, the Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This new institute – a partnership between NHRF, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panteion University, and the French School at Athens – is creating a high-level research hub dedicated to interdisciplinary and international scholarship in these fields . By contributing to HESTIA’s development, NHRF helps bridge disciplines on a global scale, aligning with elite networks of advanced study and expanding the horizons of humanities and social science research.

Another noteworthy example is NHRF’s role in Europe’s concerted fight against cancer through the JANE initiatives. JANE-1 and JANE-2 are EU-funded Joint Actions to build Networks of Excellence in cancer research and care, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise across the continent. The second Joint Action, JANE-2 (2025–2028), involves 121 partner organizations from 29 countries and is establishing seven new “Networks of Expertise” on crucial oncology topics . Greece is represented in JANE-2 by NHRF alongside the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, highlighting NHRF’s active contribution to pan-European efforts against cancer. Through JANE and similar collaborations, NHRF researchers connect with international peers to share knowledge and develop harmonized solutions in healthcare.

A Culture of Collaboration and Extroversion

Across all these activities, NHRF promotes extroversion — an outward-looking approach — as a core value. The Foundation’s researchers regularly engage with the global scientific community by participating in international conferences, workshops, and joint scientific missions. These exchanges ensure that NHRF stays at the forefront of emerging knowledge while also showcasing Greek research achievements on the world stage. By consistently pursuing and securing competitive funding for collaborative projects (for example, via the EU’s Framework Programs and partnerships), NHRF further strengthens its international linkages.

Through such actions, the National Hellenic Research Foundation substantially elevates the international presence of Greek research and demonstrates how collaboration is a driver of progress. Interdisciplinarity is firmly established as a central pillar of NHRF’s mission and of modern scientific inquiry at large. By breaking down silos and building alliances — whether among its own Institutes or with external centers of excellence — NHRF creates an environment where innovative ideas flourish and research outcomes are more impactful than any single discipline could achieve alone .