INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2026
Our Future in FP10 and ECF - Aligning Institutions & Policy
Winter Meeting 2026
The Winter Meeting 2026 – “Our Future in FP10 and ECF – Aligning Institutions & Policy” is a strategic gathering convened by INESC Brussels HUB and the INESC institutes to position the INESC ecosystem for the next EU Framework Programme (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
It responds to a clear challenge: the fragmentation of Portuguese research and innovation efforts across governance levels (EU, national, regional, institutional) and thematic domains. This fragmentation limits competitive positioning and impact in European programmes.
The Winter Meeting aims to contribute to building a more coherent, aligned and strategically prepared ecosystem.
Participation Format
The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2026 is primarily an in-person event.
Objectives
Over two days, the Winter Meeting will:
- Strengthen multilevel governance alignment and inform national and regional R&I policy.
- Clarify the impact and implications of the paradigm shift towards FP10 and ECF.
- Enable institutes and teams to assess their readiness to act and lead in FP10 and ECF using a shared framework.
- Contribute to enhanced institutional readiness and thematic strategic positioning roadmaps for FP10 and ECF.
Who Should Attend?
Day 1 – 28 January 2026
Closed-door, by invitation only (Chatham House rules)
- Key EU invited participants
- University rectors and rector teams (INESC member institutions)
- Institute directors, board members and key INESC shareholders
Day 2 – 29 January 2026
Open to the INESC community & Invited Participants
- Researchers and research leaders
- Project managers and administrators
- Institute leadership
- Other professionals from the INESC ecosystem interested in FP10 and ECF positioning
Programme Overview
DAY 1 — Strategic Alignment & Policy Intelligence
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
By invitation only
Room: Salão Nobre da Reitoria
Paço das Escolas, 3004-531 Coimbra
Vertical Governance Alignment – From S3 to FP10 & ECF
Objective: Ensure coherence between EU, national, regional, and institutional levels regarding funding instruments, governance, and strategic intent in FP10/ECF.
- How do Smart Specialisation Strategies align with FP10 and ECF?
- What gaps exist between regional and national instruments in relation to FP10 and ECF?
- How can foresight and coordination improve coherence across FP10 and ECF instruments?
- What does a “whole-of-Portugal” approach to FP10 and ECF readiness look like?
International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine – the case of the Czech Republic
Guiding Questions:
- What is your ministry’s strategic vision for the next MFF, and how do R&I, FP10 and ECF factor into it?
- Where are the gaps in coordination between sectoral priorities and EU R&I instruments, including FP10 and ECF?
- What mechanisms could help ministries better engage with FP10 and ECF thematically?
- How can Research Performing Organisations better support national and sectoral objectives within FP10 and ECF?
Walking distance from Pólo I / Paço das Escolas
Programme Overview
DAY 2 – INSTITUTIONAL READINESS & STRATEGIC POSITIONING
Thursday, 29 January 2026
Core Objectives
- Launch strategic reflection and institutional characterisation for FP10 and ECF (2027+)
- Empower researchers to take ownership of positioning in future EU R&I landscapes
- Translate sensing insights into seizing strategies using a shared methodology
- Identify opportunities and matchmaking for 2026–2027 Work Programmes
- Establish momentum for a longer strategic cycle
Room: Auditório da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCTUC)
Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra
FP10 Readiness Framework – Four Pillars
- Strategic Alignment
- Operational Capability
- Ecosystem Influence
- Foresight Capacity
Each session produces:
- A thematic narrative statement
- A readiness scorecard (1–5)
- Identification of gaps and opportunities
- A short action roadmap for 2026–27
Moderator:
Maurits Butter, Strategy and Policy, TNO
B. Digital Leadership
Moderator:
Sophie Viscido, Secretary General, EuroTech Universities Alliance
C. Resilience, Security, Defence Industry & Space
Moderator:
Ana Paula Mesquita, CEO of Magellan
D. Health, Biotech, Agriculture & Bioeconomy
Moderator:
Ricardo Migueis, Head Of INESC Brussels HUB
Opportunity Identification
EuroTech Universities
(TUM – Technical University of Munich; DTU – Technical University of Denmark; EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; Technion; Eindhoven – Eindhoven University of Technology),
Masaryk University & others
Invited RTOs (DTI, TNO, among others)
Participant Info Pack
For practical details about venues, recommended hotels, and how to travel to Coimbra (from Lisbon and Porto airports), please consult the Participant Info Pack.
Speakers
Fernando Alexandre
Minister of Education, Science and Innovation
João Rui Ferreira
Secretary of State of the Economy
Helena Canhão
Secretary of State for Science and Innovation
Bernard Magenhann
Director-General, Joint Research Center
Amílcar Falcão
Rector of the University of Coimbra
Julien Ravet
Economic Analysis at European Commission
Duarte Rodrigues
Vice President, Portuguese Cohesion and Development Agency
Carlos Torrecilla Salinas
Head Of Unit at European Commission
Alexandra Vilela
President, Managing Authority for Innovation and Digital Transition (COMPETE 2030)
Carla Matias dos Santos
Research and Space Counsellor Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU
Arlindo Oliveira
President of the INESC Holding
Inês Lynce
Chair of the Management Committee of the INESC Brussels HUB and President of INESC ID
João Claro
Vice-Chair of the Management Committee, INESC Brussels HUB President & CEO of INESC TEC
Maurits Butter
TNO Strategy and Policy
Sophie Viscido
Secretary General EuroTech Universities
Ana Abrunhosa
Mayor of the City of Coimbra
Muriel Attané
Secretary General of EARTO
Ana Paula Mesquita
Magellan Circle
Joana Almodovar
Head of Foresight and Public Policies, INESC TEC
Ondrej Hradil
Coordinator, RIFF, Masaryk University
Ricardo Miguéis
Head of INESC Brussels HUB