An External Advisory Board (EAB) supports the 4i-TRACTION project. The EAB has a dual function of providing (1) strategic steering for the project (e.g. helping to connect project work with relevant political processes) and 2) supporting quality assurance. The board members meet five times over the course of the project (every 6-9 month). They are invited to be part of the stakeholder engagement activities and to participate in relevant dissemination events – so that they can also experience project activities first hand and provide input to individual steps in the research process. The EAB consists of six members, representing on the one hand distinguished members of the academic world (2-3) and experienced policy practitioners in the field of EU climate policy (representing business and civil society and an EU institution (the European Commission)).