The FRISSBE project will implement new practices at the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, ZAG, by attracting and maintaining high quality human resources under the direction of the ERA Chair holder. The project will lead to lasting, sustainable structural changes to achieve excellence at ZAG and spread excellence in the region. Designed structural changes aim to achieve excellence in the field of fire-safe sustainable built environments, modify ZAG’s research and innovation landscape, intensify strong cooperation with industry and result in enhanced competitiveness in attaining projects. Changes will be tested in a new autonomous unit, the FRISSBE ERA Chair, and transferable to ZAG as a whole. Structural and dissemination measures are balanced with testing and improving the concept. Structural measures involve improving the workflow, focusing on project preparation and quality management, building a network with stakeholders, and intensifying cooperation with industry. The concept will be tested on a few levels: testing the research enhancement process, building capacity in applying for competitive funds, and building sustainable relationships with industry. Dissemination activities focusing on two-way cooperation with identified stakeholders will enhance ZAGs network and positively contribute to its attractiveness. FRISSBE will have regional impacts in terms of research, education, and engineering. The team will build a strong interactive ecosystem with the InnoRenew CoE and the University of Primorska, as well as other supporters of the project. Added value of the project is amplifying the capacities of the Fire laboratory co-financed with ERDF funds, ensuring conditions to foster excellent research. The project will yield 3 PhD students and 6 post-doctoral researchers. The long-term sustainability of the ERA Chair will be achieved by combining national and EU research and innovation funding with industry funded research and development.