Coimbra 28–29 January 2026
Our Future in FP10 & ECF: Aligning Institutions and Policy Across Europe
The INESC Brussels HUB hosted its 2026 edition of the Winter Meeting on 28–29 January in Coimbra, gathering European policymakers, Portuguese authorities, university rectors, research leaders, and the broader INESC community for two days of strategic reflection, institutional alignment, and forward-looking debate. This edition also marked the 40th anniversary of INESC Coimbra, making this year’s meeting especially meaningful.
Day 2: Institutional Readiness & Strategic Positioning for FP10
Day 2 welcomed a broader audience at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FCTUC) bringing together researchers, project managers, European RTO representatives and teams from across the INESC community.
The focus shifted from high-level governance to institutional readiness and practical strategic positioning for FP10 and the ECF. The day opened with a policy outlook keynote by Carla Matias dos Santos (Research & Space Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU) setting the context for the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework and the evolving EU R&I landscape.
Participants then worked through a structured methodology that guided the parallel thematic sessions, each aligned with the Policy Windows associated with FP10 and the ECF. These sessions addressed major transformation domains, including:
- Clean Transition & Industrial Decarbonisation (Moderator: Maurits Butter, TNO)
- Digital Leadership (Moderator: Sophie Viscido, EuroTech Universities Alliance)
- Resilience, Security, Defence Industry & Space (Moderator: Ana Paula Mesquita, Magellan)
- Health, Biotech, Agriculture & Bioeconomy (Moderator: Ricardo Migueis, INESC Brussels HUB)
Across the different groups, participants examined institutional preparedness, explored thematic opportunities and gaps, and reflected on how to position their teams and organisations for the next phase of the European research and innovation cycle.
A Shared Strategic Horizon for FP10 and Beyond
The 2026 Winter Meeting underscored the commitment of the INESC ecosystem to proactively prepare for the next European R&I cycle, with a focus on contributing to (and helping shape) the future of FP10 and the ECF. Through strategic dialogue, institutional reflection and new forms of collaboration, including the landmark MoU with the JRC, this year’s edition strengthened the foundations for a more coherent, aligned and influential presence of INESC in the European research and innovation landscape.
The work moving toward FP10 now continues across institutes, policy arenas, and research communities, supported by renewed momentum and a growing sense of shared purpose for Europe’s next chapter.
