hub.inesc.pt

The convergence of technologies enabling R&I for the healthcare of the future
2024-05-28 - 2024-05-29 | The EGG, Rue Bara / Barastraat 175 1070, Brussels, Belgium
How can data be used to further stimulate research and development in health? What steps are we taking toward the healthcare of the future?
Converging technologies, such as bio-, and nanotechnologies, engineering, digitalisation and big data have transformational power to drive research and innovation towards healthcare of the future.
Prominent academics and policy makers will delve into compelling topics and technologies, and the potential of the different European partnerships and infrastructures during the captivating two-day conference ‘The convergence of technologies enabling R&I for the healthcare of the future’.
Next to a programme full of insightful keynotes, this conference (on invitation only) is a great opportunity to get more insights into the potential of technologies and innovative approaches for better wellbeing and health.
This Belgian presidency conference is coordinated by the Flemish Department for Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI), in collaboration with the Research Department of the Public Service of Wallonia, the Flemish Department for Care and Sciensano, and is co-financed by DG RTD of the European Commission.
More info here

Table Top Exercise on Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection (TTX CMIP)
2024-05-28 - 2024-05-30 | Brussels
The TTX, organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA), aims to answer the question “what to do when something happens? The exercise will involve different levels of response and will take place in 4 consecutive phases. The final product should enable all Member States to respond in a coordinated manner to incidents targeting critical maritime infrastructure and their direct and indirect consequences.
General planning: the exercise will start in January 2024 and will continue until the end of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. There will be several feedback and intermediate conclusions before a final table top exercise, which will present the results, evaluations and recommendations on governance and policy.
Phase 1: The exercise begins with a first phase focusing on maritime situational awareness (MSA) in each of the three participating countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Lower Saxony (DE).
In this first phase, each MSA agency will provide its perspectives on existing legal frameworks, directives, and command structures. These conclusions will be a first observation at national level, at all levels of leadership involved, in cross-border and international cooperation. In addition, each MSA agency will share its perspective on collaboration with private actors, “to do”, “not to do” and best practices to improve maritime situational awareness.
Phase 2: During this phase, MSA agencies will meet trilaterally to discuss their assessment, needs and recommendations, regarding the status of the MSA, including critical maritime infrastructure, detection, target evaluation criteria, 24/7 contact points. The goal is to organize a meeting in each MSA agency, each with a specific focus on the following topics.
1) National and cross-border governance assessments
2) National and cross-border recommendations on governance
3) Policy evaluation to improve national and cross-border governance
Phase 3: This phase includes targeted meetings with private stakeholders regarding the MSA situation, including critical marine infrastructure. The evaluation and recommendations will complement the efforts of MSA agencies. National emergency responders for PAHO at sea are also involved in this phase and face preliminary assessment and recommendations. If, as expected, national first responders were already involved in Phase 1 and Phase 2, Phase 3 will refine and consolidate assessments and recommendations and improve existing bilateral agreements and make recommendations for other legal frameworks and guidelines.
Phase 4 will transfer the efforts of the operational staff involved (MSA and Response) to the core team which will consolidate the results, evaluate and recommend intermediate conclusions and prepare the table-top closing exercise, scheduled by the third week of May 2024
Preparing a report: The final task of the exercise sponsored by the Belgian Presidency will be a consolidated report.
More info here

Indtech2024: Science and Innovation to empower Europe industrial resilience and economic security
2024-06-03 - 2024-06-05 | Namur
European industry plays a pivotal role in the twin digital and green transition. It acts as a catalyst for these changes while also being directly impacted by them. Simultaneously, the European industry must strive to uphold their technological leadership and competitiveness in a context of increasing global competition. Indeed, recent geopolitical and sanitary crisis highlighted the supply chain vulnerability of several key enabling technologies and critical raw materials.
Europe’s technological capabilities are its best asset to meet the objectives of the Green Deal, reach carbon neutrality in 2050 and ensure the leadership of its industry, notably in the innovative materials sector. But the significance of the challenges matches the ambition. New technologies must be developed to enable the European transition to a carbon neutral economy, but developing low and zero carbon solutions that go beyond the traditional approach will demand close collaboration between the academic and industry worlds.

Indtech2024 will be a forum bringing together stakeholders to exchange around specific R&I and policy challenges and stimulate networking. An overarching question we would like to address during Indtech2024 is how R&D policies could be better integrated to ambitious European initiatives to make sure the future of our industry is made in Europe. More specifically, Indtech2024 will aim to:

Identify and discuss the research and innovation challenges and opportunities related to the fields of advanced materials and manufacturing and critical raw material supply.
Identify, discuss, and showcase promising technologies and best practices contributing to the digital and green transition of the industry and the decarbonisation of the energy-intensive industries.

Take stock of lessons learned at the mid-term of Horizon Europe programme and provide recommendations for the way forward, specifically on how it could articulate better with other European initiatives.
More info here

Conference on research infrastructures
2024-06-04 - 2024-06-05 | KBR, Mont des Arts / Kunstberg 28 1000, Brussels, Belgium
Contact riconference2024@belspo.be

ESPON seminar
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-06 | Wallonia Conference Center Mons (WCCM), Avenue Mélina Mercouri 9, Mons, Belgium
ESPON, which carries out studies on regional development issues, organises a seminar of this type at the end of each rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The aim of these seminars is to bring together political decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, experts and all stakeholders at all levels of governance.
For the Belgian presidency, the seminar, scheduled for 5 and 6 June 2024 in Mons, will focus on reducing land artificialisation, and limiting urban sprawl and soil sealing. The two days will include plenary sessions, workshops and round tables, highlighting different Member States’ policies on the issue to inspire the whole of the EU.
More info here

e-IRG
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-07 | Brussels

Global approach: Is the EU’s international cooperation strategy working? Private S|B Network workshop
2024-06-25 - 2025-01-12 | Brussels
A private Science|Business Network workshop
More info here.

5th International ESS Conference
2024-07-08 - 2024-07-10 | ICS – University of Lisbon and ISCTE, Lisbon, Portugal
The 5th International European Social Survey (ESS) Conference – Addressing grand societal challenges cross-nationally: Investigation, innovation and insights from 20 years of data – will be held at ICS – University of Lisbon and ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal, from Monday 8 until Wednesday 10 July 2024.
More info here.

Annual Network Planning Meeting Private S|B Network hybrid workshop
2024-07-09 16:00 - 17:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
On July 9, Science|Business will bring together the members of its international Network for an in-depth discussion – in Brussels and online – of the key issues and themes in research and innovation policy, funding and cooperation that will define the year ahead. The Planning Meeting is above all a forum for members to identify common institutional interests and challenges, to inform and strengthen the agenda of Network activities going forward, and to begin preparations for the 2025 Science|Business Annual Network Conference.
Please note that this meeting is exclusively for members of the Science|Business Network. For any other organisation interested in becoming a member and joining the discussions on July 9, please contact our Network Director at simon.pickard@sciencebusiness.net. For existing members, please write to raffaele.guerini@sciencebusiness.net with any practical questions related to the event.

Summer Reception & Meet the new Parliament
2024-07-09 18:00 - 20:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
On July 2, a new European Parliament will formally take office, with a full portfolio awaiting their attention. At the top of the pile of R&I-related issues will be strategic planning and budgets for the second half of Horizon Europe, the beginning of discussions around the next Framework Programme, and the transition to working with a new Commission. This Science|Business Network event will bring together a select group of newly elected (or re-elected) MEPs for an informal discussion of what lies ahead, followed by a networking reception for Science|Business members and other invited guests.

MANUFUTURE Conference
2025-10-23 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | SPARKS, Rue Ravenstein 60, Bruxelles, 100, Belgium
European Manufacturing for a Prosperous and Secure Tomorrow

As the world navigates geopolitical fragmentation and technological disruption, Europe’s future hinges on revitalizing its manufacturing — not only for economic resilience but also to meet climate and security imperatives.

Policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators will come together at this event to shape actionable strategies for manufacturing research and innovation, knowledge and education, circularity, and defence readiness.

This high-level conference, held in Brussels, will explore the essential role of European manufacturing in strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and in addressing global challenges.

For further details, and to register, please visit the Conference’s website.
Participation is free, subject to prior registration and seat availability

Women Entrepreneurship: e-Catalogue Pitch & Networking – Enterprise Europe Network
2026-03-31 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Porto (INESC TEC, FEUP Campus – Auditorium A) & online, FEUP Campus – Auditorium A, Porto, Porto, Portugal
On 31 March 2026, INESC TEC will host the Women Entrepreneurship: e-Catalogue Pitch & Networking event, within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).
The event highlights the 2026 edition of the Women Entrepreneurship 3’ Pitch e-Catalogue, which brings together 187 women-led initiatives from 24 countries, across eight sectors, supported by the EEN community . The catalogue showcases projects, companies and organisations, while creating opportunities for collaboration across the European innovation ecosystem.
This initiative reflects the growing role of women-led innovation in Europe and the importance of strengthening connections between entrepreneurs, support organisations and EU funding opportunities.
What to expect
Short pitch sessions from selected initiatives featured in the catalogue
Discussions on women entrepreneurship, collaboration and talent
Presentations on European funding opportunities and support instruments
A dedicated networking moment connecting companies, stakeholders and EEN advisors
Practical information
Date: 31 March 2026
Time: 14:00–17:00 (WEST)
Location: Porto (INESC TEC, FEUP Campus – Auditorium A) & online
Format: Hybrid (limited in-person capacity)
Participation: Free of charge, subject to registration
Register here: https://survey.inesctec.pt/index.php/818145?lang=en
