Recap of the CROSSPATHS Matchmaking Event in Brussels: Building Partnerships for Horizon Europe Cluster 6

On 25 March 2026, the CROSSPATHS Matchmaking Event in Brussels brought together a diverse community of research and innovation stakeholders to explore collaboration opportunities under Horizon Europe Cluster 6. Combining policy insights with hands-on networking formats, the event created a dynamic platform for building future project consortia. Read the full summary below to discover key takeaways, insights, and outcomes.

OPERAS 2026 & SCIROS in Warsaw: Registration now open for the public part of the conference held under the patronage of PolSCA Office

Warsaw will host the main public part of the international OPERAS 2026 & SCIROS conference on 20–21 May 2026 – one of Europe’s notable events devoted to the future of scholarly communication, open science, and the role of research infrastructures in the humanities and social sciences. Participation in this part of the conference is free of charge, but prior registration is required.

The 18th Edition of the V4 Training for Research Project Managers: Three Days of Knowledge, Practice and Networking

From 9 to 11 March 2026, Brussels hosted another edition of the V4 Training for Research Project Managers – a joint initiative of the liaison offices of the Visegrad Group countries, aimed at professionals involved in the management and administration of research projects. This year’s programme once again combined the perspective of European research policy, the practical aspects of project implementation, and the development of soft skills that are simply essential in the day-to-day work of research managers.

PolSCA Connects Brussels – community, dialogue and European cooperation in R&I

Building community, exchanging perspectives and discussing the future of European research and innovation policy – this was the spirit of the first meeting in the PolSCA Connects Brussels series. The New Year edition brought together more than 40 professionals engaged in the European R&I ecosystem, creating space for networking and discussion on the future direction of EU programmes, as well as examples of projects implemented and coordinated by Polish research institutions

PolSCA Masterclass: research Project Management using the PM2 methodology – summary of 2nd edition!

The second edition of the PolSCA Masterclass workshops was a two-day, intensive programme devoted to the practical aspects of professional management of projects funded through European funds. Participants explored the PM2 methodology, developed by the European Commission specifically for EU-funded projects, with a particular focus on the specifics of research projects. Attention centred on the key components of effective managementand the workshops followed an interactive format, based on hands-on work with real-life case studies and simulation exercises.

The CARDEA meeting in Kraków is already behind us!

The CARDEA consortium meeting in Kraków showed that winning European grants takes more than scientific excellence. It also takes professional research management. On 27 January 2026, the Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics PAS hosted research managers, project administrators and grant specialists who turn ambitious scientific ideas into workable, well-run projects.

The programme focused on hands-on exchange rather than formalities: from leadership and managing international grants, through a discussion on how Polish institutions can build stronger, system-level support, to a study visit to the cyclotron and proton therapy facility at Cyclotron Centre Bronowice. The takeaways are clear: research management is becoming a foundation of success in Horizon Europe projects, PolSCA strengthens its role as a bridge between Brussels and Polish research centres, and the emerging PolARMA initiative has real potential to build a professional community with shared standards.

Download the full article to explore the key insights and what they mean for the future of Polish science:

Polish version

English version

Join to the CROSSPATHS Matchmaking Event on Horizon Europe Cluster 6!

Promoting strong research partnerships throughout Europe 

Join a matchmaking event for R&I stakeholders seeking to build consortia for upcoming Horizon Europe calls, in line with current and emerging EU priorities. Brought by the HE CROSSPATHS Consortium in partnership with Brussels-based ETAG and PolSCA liaison offices, the event brings together policy context and practical insights with pitching sessions and bilateral meetings, offering a practical platform for initiating project cooperation within HE Cluster 6 calls. The event will take place in Brussels on 25^th March 2026. 

EMERGE-EU Study Visit Recap: Building European Connections in Advanced Materials

For the first time, the PolSCA PAS Office engaged in the organisation of an international study visit addressed directly to researchers, rather than to its traditional national audiences or expert and managerial communities. Within the framework of the EMERGE-EU initiative, PolSCA co-organised a three-day networking study visit for emerging researchers in advanced materials, implemented in cooperation with fellow Brussels-based liaison offices. This marked a new experience for the Office – both in terms of the target group and the international format – complementing PolSCA’s previous activities focused on funding instruments such as ERC and MSCA, or science-for-policy initiatives addressed primarily to the scientific committees of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Further details on the programme and outcomes of this study visit are presented below in the full recap.

How to prepare an effective EoI that will open the door to Horizon Europe consortia

Expression of Interest (EoI) is a concise, strategic tool for research institutions and researchers. It helps individuals present their profile to prospective project coordinators and supports efforts to increase the visibility of Polish institutions in European science.

The EoI is the next stage of integration into the cooperation network, following our 2024 work organising institutional information and publishing folders for PAN institutes. The second edition of these brochures will appear with WP26-27. EoI documents shift this work from a static presentation to partner-seeking and participation in international consortia.

A well-prepared Expression of Interest (EoI) document is a gateway to international projects, new partnerships and influence on European research agendas. This article shows how to build a strong and convincing EoI in a few clear sections.

Diamond ERA: From Vision to Implementation – A New Definition of Openness in the European Research Area

On December 3–4, 2025, an in-depth debate on the future of science communication in Europe took place in Brussels. The conference “Diamond ERA: Fostering Openness in the European Research Area”, organized by the Digital Humanities Centre at the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBL PAN) and the Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA PAN), in cooperation with the Committee on Literary Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the OPERAS research infrastructure, gathered a wide group of stakeholders at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU: from European Commission decision-makers, through grant providers, to librarians and infrastructure creators.