hub.inesc.pt

INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2026
2026-01-28 - 2026-01-29 | Porto
Our Future in FP10 and ECF – Aligning Institutions & Policy

The Shape of Energy to come
2025-12-05 | FEUP – Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
Energy systems are changing faster than ever and events like The Shape of Energy to Come help us understand what this transformation truly demands.

On 5 December, INESC TEC celebrates the 2nd edition of this inspiring event opening an essential space for reflection, bringing together leading voices from research and industry to examine how Europe can build the energy systems it will depend on in the future.

This year’s keynote by Professor Georges Kariniotakis sets the stage: a deep look at how innovative technologies can shape an intelligent, flexible and sustainable energy ecosystem.

Two thematic sessions will follow:

– Shaping Innovation Together – where INESC TEC’s industrial partners reflect on real cases of co-creation and collaborative innovation.

– Shaping the Grid of Tomorrow – with INESC TEC researchers showcasing emerging solutions for resilient, future-proof energy systems.

The day concludes with “Legacy & Future”, a thoughtful intervention by Professor João Peças Lopes, grounding this discussion in INESC TEC’s decades-long leadership in the energy field and the vision that will guide the next ones.

For anyone working at the intersection of energy systems, innovation, and technology policy, this is a moment to pause, reflect, and engage.

(In-person attendance only)

Choose Europe and its world-class research and technology infrastructures
2025-11-27 12:30 - 14:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Porto

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

Understanding FP10 & the European Competitiveness Fund: Strategic implications for INESC
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Lisbon) | Porto
We are pleased to invite you to an internal workshop dedicated to deepening our understanding of the next EU Framework Programme (FP10) and the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and, crucially, how the interplay between the two will shape opportunities through the novelties that they bring in their design for research and innovation in Europe.

Date: Thursday, 9 October 2025
Time: 18:00 WEST (Lisbon time) / 19:00 CEST (Brussels time)
Mode of Attendance: online (a link will be provided to registered participants on the day of the event)

Speakers:

Carla Matias dos Santos, Science Counsellor, Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU
Ricardo Miguéis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB

This session is designed specifically for INESC researchers. It will not only present the latest policy proposals but also encourage us to reflect on how our centres and groups should position themselves in relation to the EU’s thematic priorities, from AI and digital technologies to decarbonisation, health, resilience, and security.
The discussion will also serve as a first step in preparing for the HUB Winter Meeting 2026, where we will collectively explore INESC’s long-term strategic positioning within the evolving European R&I landscape.
We kindly invite you to register and look forward to your active participation in this important internal exchange.
Event agenda — download here.
Please click here to download Carla Matias dos Santos’ Presentation.
Event highlights coming soon!

INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting 2025
2025-06-25 12:00 - 2025-06-26 13:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Brussels
The 2025 INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting, titled “Strategic Autonomy & Dual-Use R&I: Coherence, Capabilities & Europe’s Future,” will bring together research-performing organisations (RPOs), EU policymakers, national authorities, and industry representatives to examine how Europe can reinforce its strategic autonomy through research, innovation, and coordinated funding.
Amid increasing geopolitical complexity and a rapidly evolving R&I landscape, the meeting will foster critical dialogue on how Europe can strengthen its strategic autonomy through innovation, dual-use technologies, and coherent funding frameworks.
By convening thought leaders and practitioners from across Europe, the event aims to shape forward-looking R&I policy and practice, while highlighting the contributions of European research-performing organisations. It also seeks to position the R&I stakeholders as dynamic players in this collective European effort, bridging civil and defence research, and contributing solutions aligned with EU strategic priorities.

Horizon Europe: New priorities for the European Research Area policy agenda?
2024-11-19 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
A private Science|Business Network FP Working Group webinar

AI, Data, Robotics Forum
2024-11-04 - 2024-11-05 | Porto
Connecting minds, transforming futures: uniting the ADR community to drive responsible innovation.
The ADR Forum is a premier annual event organised by the AI, Data and Robotics Association (Adra) in collaboration with the European Commission that brings together leading experts, innovators, policymakers, and enthusiasts from the AI, Data, and Robotics community. Our mission is to shape the future of these transformative technologies, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that drives responsible innovation and societal impact.

Workshop on Attractive Careers in Research: the expectations & roles of different stakeholder groups
2024-11-04 - 2024-11-05 | Porto
The workshop on Attractive Careers in Research aims to explore the common and different expectations for careers in research by different stakeholder groups, and the opportunities for action that exist based on these expectations. Existing good practice examples from within and outside of academia will be presented and used as inspiration.
Science Europe works to push the frontiers of policies and practices that underlie how research is programmed, conceived, conducted, and communicated. As part of our strategic priority to contribute to the evolution of research culture, we focus on the promotion of attractive and sustainable careers in research, and the recognition of a myriad of roles that contribute to research quality and impact.

How to write a policy brief
2024-10-30 12:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Policy briefs are concise, accessible documents that aim to communicate the practical implications of research to a particular policy audience and provide them with solutions to a specific issue. Although policy briefs are just one method to communicate information to a policy audience, they can be a valuable communication tool when effectively written and disseminated.
This webinar will outline how researchers can write an effective policy brief and disseminate it so that it has policy impact. In the second part of the webinar, participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions and try out their own policy brief concepts.
The webinar will be hosted by Chloe Hill, EGU’S policy manager. It will last for one hour and conclude with an audience Q&A. This webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the EGU YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@egu
Register for this online event here.
If you have any questions about ‘How to write a policy brief’, please contact us via webinars@egu.eu.

Valorise this: How to speed and scale up tech transfer? Private S|B Network hybrid workshop
2024-09-12 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
A private Science|Business Network hybrid roundtable

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.

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.

Horizon Europe: The road ahead for the European Innovation Council? Private S|B Network FP Working Group webinar
2024-07-09 14:30 - 15:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels

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.

Accelerated development: A new era for health and life science cooperation with the Global South? Public S|B (Sector Day) conference
2024-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
In Brussels and online
About the theme: Among the issues that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the surface, global cooperation in health research emerged as an essential requirement – from concerted surveillance of emerging infectious diseases and drug manufacturing, to knowledge transfer, data sharing and biodiversity protection. Beyond pandemic preparedness, the need for a broader, structural and sustainable North-South partnership has now become obvious. In addition, the health sector’s digitalisation rush and the growing importance of AI offer enormous opportunities to deepen North-South partnerships. Moving forward, the key questions are where to prioritise in terms of funding, programmes and R&I domains, and how to ensure a coordinated approach?
Featured guests: On 25 June, we will bring together key representatives from international bodies, EU institutions, national governments, research and industry to discuss the steps needed to crystallise a new era for North-South cooperation in health and life sciences. Confirmed speakers include Michael Makanga, Executive Director, European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP); Ole Petter Ottersen, Acting Secretary General, The Guild & former President, Karolinska Institutet; Irene Norstedt, Director ‘People’, DG RTD, European Commission; Marleen Temmerman, Director ‘Women’s Health’, Faculty of Health Sciences – Aga Khan University Hospital; Srini Kaveri, Director of India Office, CNRS; Hilary Hanahoe, Secretary General, Research Data Alliance; Mario Reale, Senior Research Engagement Officer at GÉANT, Glaudina Loots, Director for Health Innovation, South Africa Department of Science and Innovation; and Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman – Dynamic Coalition on Digital Health, United Nations’ Internet Governance Forum.
How to engage: While the speaker line-up is essentially complete, we now look to our Network members to inform and inspire the wider debate on the most effective ways forward! As such, we would be grateful if you could share details of the event with relevant faculty leads, and/or let us know if you wish to recommend specific colleagues for us to invite.
NB: as with all S|B Network events, each member is allowed one participant in person – but an unlimited number of additional colleagues can follow the proceedings as online observers. For both options, registrations are open at the following link.

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.

EACR Early-Career Researchers’ Conference
2024-06-25 - 2024-06-26 | Online
This highly interactive online meeting for early-career researchers focuses on career development. It will cover all the topics that ECR members mention they need – such as leadership skills, personal growth, translating research, and bridging the gap between academia and industry – and will offer plenty of opportunities for delegates to speak directly with the experts.
The target audience for this conference is: scientists in the early phase of their career who want to develop a career in cancer research. The programme is tailored for scientists in the process of starting their independent path, as well as for researchers engaging with the clinical and industrial applications of their work.
Learn more and register here.

European Sustainable Energy Week 2024
2024-06-11 - 2024-06-13 | Brussels
From 11 to 13 June, the European Sustainable Energy Week brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through green technologies and solutions towards a fair and just transition for people and competitive businesses.
Join the Info Session on 15 November 2023 to learn more on how to be involved.

green economy | green investment | EU financing

Tuesday 11 June 2024, 09:00 – Thursday 13 June 2024, 18:00 (CEST)

Practical information

When
Tuesday 11 June 2024, 09:00 – Thursday 13 June 2024, 18:00 (CEST)
Languages
English
Website
EUSEW website

Description

EUSEW2024

European Commission

Under the theme ‘Net-zero competitiveness driving EU energy transition’, the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) focuses on delivering Europe’s decarbonisation through green technologies and solutions towards a fair and just transition for people and competitive businesses.
From 11 to 13 June 2024, EUSEW will take place in Brussels and online and include:

a policy conference with plenary and policy sessions covering topics related to net-zero technologies, cities and citizens, renewables, energy efficiency, and international cooperation;
the prestigious EUSEW Awards;
a networking village within the Energy Fair;
the fifth edition of the European Youth Energy Day

In addition, a series of locally organised Sustainable Energy Days will take place from April to June, across Europe and beyond, to promote clean energy and energy efficiency.
EUSEW is open to international organisations, university associations, national and local authorities, professional associations, NGOs working in the field of sustainable development, consumer associations, research organisations, EU-funded projects, EU institutions, and more.
An Info Session is taking place online on Wednesday 15 November at 11.00 CET with a run-through of all major calls and deadlines, as well as the application procedure to propose a policy conference session and take part in the awards. Interested participants will have the chance to ask questions and find out how organisations can get involved in the event.
Background
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe. It comprises a series of activities aimed at building a secure energy future for Europe. The 2023 edition took place from 20 to 22 June and attracted more than 12 000 unique participants onsite and online from 127 countries (explore the highlights).

Enhancing SME Access to European Research and Technology Infrastructures: A Pathway to Innovation & Growth
2024-06-07 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Porto
You can now download the FINAL REPORT of the event through the following link: Report_Enhancing-SME-Access-to-European-RTI
Objective: This invitation-only workshop is organised to facilitate a more effective integration between SMEs and research and technology infrastructures (RTIs) within Europe. Despite significant European funding efforts aimed at sectors such as healthcare and semiconductors, there is a recognised need to better understand and enhance the synergy between infrastructures and the industrial sector, especially SMEs.
The workshop aims to

Review European Commission funding outcomes: Evaluate the impact of recent EC funding initiatives, identifying successes and challenges, to improve RTI-SME collaboration and linking to relevant ongoing projects and actions such as the TI Expert Group.
Enable targeted dialogue: Create a forum for SME representatives, alongside experts from relevant EC DGs and Units, key stakeholders and RTI representatives. The focus will be on exploring how RTIs can drive growth and innovation in SMEs, particularly in the areas of biotechnology & health and advanced materials.
Explore pilot actions: Consider ongoing efforts like the mapping of infrastructures in advanced materials, and discuss the possibility of expanding into new sectors such as The goal is to determine and prioritise areas for deeper RTI-SME cooperation that could offer immediate and long-term benefits.
Discuss future collaboration frameworks: Agree on a forward path for integrating pilot actions into existing frameworks, aiming to achieve outcomes that bolster SME innovation and competitiveness without explicitly aiming to influence Work Programmes directly.

Expected outcomes

Identification of priority areas for action and strategic focus, especially in sectors such as Advanced Materials and Biotechnology.
Strengthened collaboration with Expert Groups within the EC to enhance RTI and SME
A roadmap for pilot actions, focussing on areas where EU support could provide significant added value in strengthening SME-RTI collaboration.

The Enhancing SME Access to European Research and Technology Infrastructures – A Pathway to Innovation & Growth workshop is co-organised by:
ALBA, Elixir, ESRF, EuroBioimaging, INESC Brussels Hub
And supported by:
LEAPS Innovation, RITIFI, Evolve

ESFRI Forum
2024-06-06 | KBR, Mont des Arts / Kunstberg 28 1000, Brussels, Belgium
More info here

INESC Summer School 2024 – Leadership in Research and Innovation in the Age of AI
2024-06-05 12:00 - 2024-06-06 14:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Brussels
Day 1: 5 June, Offices of NCBR, Rue Belliard 40

12.00 -14.00

Icebreaker lunch

Facilitators of the meeting: Dirk Stockmans and Oliver Kozac

14.00 -14.10

Opening / Introduction

Introduction by INESC Brussels HUB (PT) and NCBR (PL)

Opening words by Marc Lemaître
Director General for Research & Innovation, European Commission

Programme overview & practical arrangements
Dirk Stockmans and Oliver Kozac

14.10-15.00
Opening Session
AI in R&I: Shaping the Future of Leadership

Give the whole room a voice – Mentimeter interactive survey
Discussion in small groups among participants

Setting the stage presentations by:
European Commission (policy)
Google Europe (Industry)
INESC Brussels HUB (Research performing organization)

15.30-16.00

Coffee break

16.00-18.00

Harnessing AI: Practical Strategies for R&I Leaders” (workshop)

17.55
Remind of evening programme and Day 2 practicalities

18.00-19.00
Cocktail

19.30
Social Dinner, Restaurant Gioia
(Rue Belliard 36)
Presentation by Adam Gerencser, Editor, Sci Phi Journal
The future of AI according to Sci-Fi

Day 2: 6 June, Townhall Europe, Square de Meeûs 5

9.00-10.30
“Your AI Roadmap in R&I” – Collaborative Session

10.30-11.00
Coffee Break

11.00-12.30

“Your AI Roadmap in R&I” – Action Planning Workshop

30 mins
Reflecting how much we have advanced: learnings and insights on leadership in R&I in the age of AI

5 mins
Closing session – Maria Cristina Russo, Director, Prosperity, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation

12.40-14.00
Concluding Lunch

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

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

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

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

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

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

Incubation Forum: Circular Economy in European Defence
2024-05-28 - 2024-05-29 | Brussels
Third annual general conference, organized by the EDA under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency.
Under a direct contribution agreement with the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA) is managing the “Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence” (IF CEED).
IF CEED aims at incubating and implementing public-private collaborative circular economy projects in European Defence, in areas such as critical raw materials, additive manufacturing, materials for textiles, sustainable ecodesign, as well as in specific aspects of the waste directive: the Eco-management strategy, green procurement, circular data and spare parts management.
After two years, 26 EU Member States and some 300 experts are actively engaged in the IF CEED initiative.
The event is anticipated to bring together around 150 participants to take stock of the implementation of the project ideas incubated so far and discuss overarching topics, such as the contribution of circularity to EU strategic autonomy or circular indicators.

Seminar/Conference: Restricted Dialogue on the EU Digital Education Policy
2024-05-28 | Ghent, Belgium
