The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting - POLICY, GOVERNANCE, AND FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURES
The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2025 will convene in Porto on March 6, 2025, at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). This year’s meeting will focus on aligning EU and national strategies for the sustainability, governance, and funding of Research and Technology Infrastructures (RTIs). This is a particularly special meeting since we are simultaneously contributing to important national and EU R&I policy, as well as celebrating the 40 years of INESC TEC.
The organisation welcomes the participation and partnership of the national research and innovation funding agencies (FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia & ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação).
The event will bring together key European and national policymakers, research and technology infrastructure managers and funding agencies to discuss the evolving policy landscape and identify strategic investment models for RTIs.
A dedicated Needs Assessment Workshop in the afternoon will allow participants to validate key gaps and opportunities in the RTI landscape, ensuring that findings contribute directly to ongoing European policy discussions. The results of this workshop will be submitted to the European Commission to support future policy and funding decisions.
Event Agenda
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Morning | Agenda – Policy, Governance and Funding for Research and Technology Infrastructrures, 6 March |
09:30 – 10:00 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
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10:00 – 11:15 | High-Level Policy Dialogue: Aligning EU, National and Regional Infrastructure Strategies |
11:15 – 11:45 | Coffee Break & Networking Informal discussions among participants |
11:45 – 12:45 | Strengthening the RI & TI Ecosystem: Governance, Sustainability, and Funding Strategies
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12:45 | Closing |
13:00 – 14:30 | Networking Lunch
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Afternoon | NEEDS ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
(in partnerhip with RITIFI Project) |
14:30 – 14:45 | Introduction and Methodology Overview
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14:45 – 15:15 | Presentation of Findings
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15:15 – 17:30 | Case Study Panel and Interactive Discussion on Needs and Policy Recommendations |
17:30 | Closing & Next Steps |
Agenda – Policy, Governance and Funding for Research and Technology Infrastructrures, 6 March
🔹 Morning: High-Level Open Session – Policy, Governance, and Funding for RIs and TIs
🔹 Objective: Discuss the evolving European and national policies for Research and Technology Infrastructures, their governance models and investment frameworks.
9:30 – 10:00: Welcome and Opening Remarks
– Rui Calçada, Dean, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto
– João Claro, President and CEO of INESC TEC
– Ana Paiva, Secretary of State for Science
10:00 – 11:15: High-Level Policy Dialogue: Aligning EU, National and Regional Infrastructure Strategies
– Dominik Sobczak, Deputy Head of Unit, RTD.E1, European Commission – EU perspective and presentation of the Expert Group on Technology Infrastructures EGTIs Report January 2025
– Elena Hoffert, Vice-Chair of ESFRI – European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures
– The RI Landscape Analysis, role and future of RIs, ESFRI Roadmap 2026.
– The French policy for RIs
– Madalena Alves, President of FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
– Ricardo Simões, Head of Innovation, CCDR-Norte – Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission
– Silvia Garcia, Executive Board Member, ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação
– Moderation: Arlindo Oliveira, President of INESC Holding
11:15 – 11:45: Coffee Break & Networking Informal discussions among participants
11:45 – 12:45:Strengthening the RI & TI Ecosystem: Governance, Sustainability, and Funding Strategies
Ana Portugal Melo, Executive Director of MIRRI
Ana Teresa Freitas, Coordinator of Life and Health Technology, INESC ID
Bertrand Bouchet, Director of CEA EU Representation
Fernando Sousa, Board Member and Co-founder at CEI; MANUFUTURE ETP HLG Member
Moderator: José Carlos Caldeira, Advisor to the Chairperson at INESC TEC
– Key themes: Multi-level alignment, RTIs and R&I ecosystems, RTIs and competitiveness, RTIs in FP10
12:45: Closing
13:00 – 14:30 Networking Lunch
AFTERNOON: NEEDS ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
(in partnerhip with RITIFI Project)
🔹 Objective: Validate critical gaps and funding needs for RIs and TIs, fostering collaboration and cross-sector synergies.
🔹 Moderators: Izabella Martins Grapengiesser, Technopolis, Sophie Viscido, Technopolis and Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB
14:30 – 14:45: Introduction and Methodology Overview
Quick session explaining the objectives and interactive methodology
14:45 – 15:15: Presentation of Findings:
Needs Assessment – Summary of identified gaps and challenges
15:15 – 17:30: Case Study Panel and Interactive Discussion on Needs and Policy Recommendations
Key Case Studies – Short presentations on infrastructure needs, funding, governance, access, sustainability, skills and cross-border collaboration
Breakout discussions: Groups discuss key areas: funding, governance, access, sustainability, skills and cross-border collaboration
17:30: Closing & Next Steps
