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INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2026

Our Future in FP10 and ECF - Aligning Institutions & Policy

28–29 January 2026
Register for Day 2 Now

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

Time
Session
Description
09:30
Welcome & Opening
Amílcar Falcão, Rector of the University of Coimbra
Ana Abrunhosa, Mayor of the City of Coimbra
Inês Lynce, Chair of the Management Committee of the INESC Brussels HUB and President of INESC ID
10:00
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.
10:30
Defining priorities, multilevel alignment and the R&I pipeline
Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation
11:00
Towards multilevel synergies and strategic intervention – Keynotes
Duarte Rodrigues – Vice President of Portuguese Cohesion and Development Agency
Carlos Torrecilla Salinas – Head of the Innovation Policies and Economic Impact, Joint Research Center of the European Commission
11:30
Roundtable structured discussion Guiding Questions:
  • 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?
Moderation: Inês Lynce, Chair of the Management Committee of INESC Brussels HUB and President of INESC-ID
13:00
Lunch
With short keynote:

International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine – the case of the Czech Republic
Ondrej Hradil, Coordinator, RIFF – Research Infrastructures for the Future of Ukraine, Masaryk University
14:30
Portugal’s economic strategy and the European Competitiveness Fund
João Rui Ferreira, – Secretary of State of the Economy Cohesion
15:00
The Role of R&I as an enabler across sectors – Keynotes
Julien Ravet, Economic Analysis at European Commission
Alexandra Vilela, President of Managing Authority for Innovation and Digital Transition (COMPETE 2030)
16:00
Roundtable structured discussion

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?
Moderation: João Claro, Vice-Chair of the Management Committee of INESC Brussels HUB and President & CEO of INESC TEC
17:30
Critical Thinking Towards the Future
Bernard Magenhann, Director General, Joint Research Center
Muriel Attané, Secretary General of EARTO

Moderation: Joana Almodovar (INESC TEC) & Ricardo Migueis (INESC Brussels HUB)
18:30
Cocktail and signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (JRC–INESC institutes)
20:00
Dinner
Keynote: Arlindo Oliveira, President of the INESC Holding
Manuel Dias, Chief Technology Officer of the State and President of ARTE – Agency for the Technological Reform of the State

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

Time
Session
Description
10:00-10:30
Keynote: FP10 and ECF Policy Outlook
Carla Matias dos Santos, Research and Space Counsellor, Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU
10:30-10:45
Introduction to Workshop Methodology
Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB
Parallel Sessions – Policy Windows of FP10 / ECF

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
11:00-13:00
Parallel Strategic Sessions
A. Clean Transition & Industrial Decarbonisation
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, Magellan

D. Health, Biotech, Agriculture & Bioeconomy
Moderator:
TBC
13:00-14:00
Lunch & Networking
14:00-17:00
Horizon Europe Work Programmes 2026–27
Opportunity Identification & Matchmaking
With participation from:

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, VTT, CEA, TNO, among others)

Task Forces & Follow-up

Each thematic area is supported by a dedicated Task Force, mandated by the Management Committee and INESC institute presidencies

Task Forces are responsible for:

  • EU policy framing and FP10/ECF relevance
  • Mapping INESC scientific and strategic capacity
  • Facilitating the thematic workshop
  • Delivering a 5-page Session Report (by February 2026)

 

Registration – Day 2

Register for Day 2: Institutional Readiness & Strategic Positioning

Participation in Day 2 (29 January 2026) is open to the INESC community and requires prior registration.

Registration deadline: 16 January 2026

Register here

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.

Travel & Accommodation Info

Speakers

WM26 Profile

Fernando Alexandre

Minister of Education, Science and Innovation

WM26 Profile (19)

João Rui Ferreira

Secretary of State of the Economy

WM26 Profile (18)

Manuel Dias

CTO of the State and President of ARTE

WM26 Profile (5)

Bernard Magenhann

Director-General, Joint Research Center

WM26 Profile (25)

Amílcar Falcão

Rector of the University of Coimbra

IMG_8507

Julien Ravet

Economic Analysis at European Commission

WM26 Profile (8)

Duarte Rodrigues

Vice President, Portuguese Cohesion and Development Agency

WM26 Profile (23)

Carlos Torrecilla Salinas

Head Of Unit at European Commission

WM26 Profile (9)

Alexandra Vilela

President, Managing Authority for Innovation and Digital Transition (COMPETE 2030)

WM26 Profile (10)

Carla Matias dos Santos

Research and Space Counsellor
Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU

WM26 Profile (11)

Arlindo Oliveira

President of the INESC Holding

WM26 Profile (26)

Inês Lynce

Chair of the Management Committee of the INESC Brussels HUB and President of INESC ID

WM26 Profile (13)

João Claro

Vice-Chair of the Management Committee, INESC Brussels HUB
President & CEO of INESC TEC

WM26 Profile (20)

Maurits Butter

TNO Strategy and Policy

WM26 Profile (21)

Sophie Viscido

Secretary General EuroTech Universities

WM26 Profile (24)

Ana Abrunhosa

Mayor of the City of Coimbra

WM26 Profile

Muriel Attané

Secretary General of EARTO

WM26 Profile (22)

Ana Paula Mesquita

Magellan Circle

WM26 Profile (14)

Joana Almodovar

Head of Foresight and Public Policies, INESC TEC

WM26 Profile (28)

Ondrej Hradil

Coordinator, RIFF, Masaryk University

WM26 Profile (16)

Ricardo Miguéis

Head of INESC Brussels HUB

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