POLSCA

Horizon Europe Navigators MeetUp: Financial Support on the Path to Horizon Europe
2025-06-13 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
The upcoming meeting of research managers and administrators from the institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), gathered under the HE Navigators network, will focus on national mechanisms supporting applications for and participation in European projects, particularly Horizon Europe.

In response to the growing need to support research institutions in effectively applying to the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, the event aims to present the available national financial support instruments dedicated to research units preparing to participate in European projects.

Three key programmes will be in the spotlight:

“Grants for Eurogrants” (PARP) – supporting the preparation of project proposals for EU programmes;

“Grants for Grants” (Ministry of Science and Higher Education) – promoting high-quality applications submitted to Horizon Europe;

“Co-funded International Projects” (Ministry of Science and Higher Education) – enabling coverage of own contributions for institutions participating in European projects.

Participants will learn about the rules and scope of support, how to apply effectively for national funds, and hear experiences from institutions that have already benefited from these mechanisms. The goal is not only to provide information, but also to encourage active use of available tools that support the internationalisation of research and increase Poland’s participation in Horizon Europe.

The meeting is intended for representatives of PAS institutes, especially those working in project and grant offices. It will have an informative and practical character.

See the full event Agenda – HERE

Conference in Brussels: Towards a Fair Green Transition - Harnessing Research & Innovation for Social Impact
2025-06-17 11:00 - 17:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
As Europe advances toward climate neutrality, the green transition must be more than technological—it must be fair, inclusive, and socially resilient. This conference explores how research and innovation (R&I), especially from the social sciences and humanities, can drive societal transformation and shape policies that reduce inequalities and support long-term resilience. Through expert panels, scientific dialogue, and participatory exchange, the event will spotlight how R&I can help align environmental goals with social justice. It will take place on 17 June 2025, from 11:00 to 17:00, at the NCBR Office in Brussels, Belgium

Conference rationale

The green and fair transition, as defined by the European Union, marks a transformative shift toward a climate-neutral economy that is socially just and inclusive. This approach ensures that no person or region is left behind, as outlined in the European Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

It seeks to combine environmental sustainability with social equity by supporting vulnerable groups, promoting quality employment, and fostering inclusive growth.

At the same time, societies across Europe and beyond are experiencing profound social transformations, driven by a complex interplay of global and regional forces such as climate change, digitalization, demographic shifts, and economic uncertainty. These shifts highlight the urgent need to build resilient societies—those capable of adapting to change and withstanding crises, while maintaining social cohesion, inclusivity, and fairness.

In such a context, research and innovation (R&I) must rise to the occasion. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary efforts, not only in terms of frontier research and breakthrough technologies but also in generating deep societal insights and policy-relevant knowledge. R&I has a pivotal role to play in guiding social transformations, enhancing resilience, and ensuring that the green transition delivers on its promise of a fairer, more inclusive future for all.

The conference objectives

Organised in synergy with the candidate European Partnership for Social Transformations and Resilience (STR) under Horizon Europe, the conference will highlight how R&I can:

Support fair and inclusive green transition policiesEnhance Europe’s societal resilience and competitivenessPromote social cohesion, reduce inequalities, and foster sustainable growth

Through expert panels, scientific debates, and participatory dialogues, this event will contribute to shaping strategies that ensure the green transition delivers tangible benefits for all Europeans.

Registration open now HERE. Stay tuned for more details!

The conference sessions

11:10 – 12:00 Session I: Framing the Green Future – just transitions start with SSH

This opening panel will explore the critical importance of embedding Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in research and innovation (R&I) to effectively tackle Europe’s grand societal challenges. Using the green transition as a lens, the discussion will highlight how SSH insights into social justice, behavioural change, and inclusive governance are essential for shaping climate policies that are not only effective but also fair and equitable.

Speakers from EU science policy community will reflect on how current R&I frameworks can better integrate social dimensions, improve societal resilience, and ensure that transitions do not exacerbate inequalities.

By setting the intellectual tone for the day, this panel will underscore the value of SSH in designing just, inclusive, and impactful green transition pathways—laying the foundation for cross-sectoral dialogue throughout the conference.

12:00 – 13:00 Session II: Understanding the Complexity of the Green Transition – empowering the change

The second session of the conference will place research and innovation at the forefront of addressing today’s evolving societal landscape. As Europe navigates the path toward climate neutrality, it becomes clear that the transition requires more than technological advances in renewable energy or digital infrastructure—it demands a fair and inclusive approach that mitigates inequalities, enhances resilience, and fosters social cohesion.

Featuring leading researchers from across Europe, this session will explore the multifaceted nature of the green transition, examining how it intersects with deep structural social changes. Key issues such as social equity and inclusion of vulnerable groups, social aspects of the green transition for different generations and socioeconomic groups, education for the inclusive green and digital transformation, and citizen engagement will be unpacked, offering critical perspectives on both the challenges and opportunities of this transformation. The session will highlight pathways to ensure that the green transition delivers not only environmental sustainability, but also social justice, democratic stability, and long-term societal resilience.

14:15 – 15:30 Session III: Aligning Strategies – Translating EU Policies into National Actions through HE Partnerships

The third session will explore how national and regional policies can be effectively aligned with European strategies to support a fair, inclusive, and sustainable green transition. By showcasing successful policy-shaping experiences, the session will highlight the critical components of not only designing but also implementing effective policy frameworks. A particular emphasis will be placed on the role of European Partnerships—strategic Horizon Europe initiatives that bring together the European Commission, national governments, public institutions, NGOs, and the private sector to address major challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and digital transformation. The session will also provide a forward-looking perspective on the candidate European Partnership for Social Transformations and Resilience (STR) under Horizon Europe—a strategic initiative that aims to mobilise SSH-driven research to enhance Europe’s societal preparedness and cohesion.

The panel will serve as a forum for sharing best practices and lessons learned on how to effectively translate EU-level objectives into national and regional action plans. It will examine how European Partnerships can act as strategic tools and incentives to align national priorities with EU agendas through joint programming and coordinated investment. By identifying successful models and common challenges, the session aims to support more coherent, inclusive, and impactful engagement of the region in ERA policies.

16:00 – 17:15 Session IV: Bridging Science, Policy, and Practice for a Fair Green Transition – participatory exercise

Session hosted by Joint Research Centre

The final session will take the form of a participatory dialogue, moderated by experts from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC)— a team well-versed in connecting the worlds of research and policymaking. This closing session is designed to facilitate active exchange between participants, drawing on their insights and experiences to explore actionable pathways toward societal transformation & resilience in the process of a just green transition.

The session will begin with a JRC-led presentation on key elements of science for policy, highlighting how evidence-based research can more effectively inform and shape social and economic policy frameworks at all levels. Building on this foundation, moderators will open the floor to participants, encouraging discussion on practical experiences related to green transition policies, and efforts to align regional and national strategies with broader European priorities. The session aims to conclude the conference on a collaborative note, capturing reflections and ideas that can help guide future initiatives at the intersection of research, innovation, and policy.

For accessing full agenda click HERE

The organizers

The event is jointly organized by V4 R&I liaison offices based in Brussels: Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO), Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD), National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary (NRDIO), Polish Science Contact Agency of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PolSCA) and in partnership with National Science Centre (NCN) of Poland, the coordinator of the Social Transformations and Resilience Partnership.

The audience

This event is designed for a broad spectrum of participants, including:

Researchers and academics working on climate, societal change, and governancePolicy professionals from EU institutions and national administrationsRepresentatives of Horizon Europe partnershipsNGOs, think tanks, and civil society actorsOther stakeholders interested in ERA alignment and inclusive policy implementation

Summary of the event icluding presentations and further reading materials are available HERE

Transnational Science Cooperation: Fostering Collaborative Research in Europe and Poland
2025-06-23 00:00 - 2025-06-24 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Set against the backdrop of strategic debates about the next European Framework Programme, the two-day event “Transnational Science Cooperation: Fostering Collaborative Research in Europe and Poland” held in Brussels on 23-24 June 2025, offers a timely opportunity to explore how countries like Poland can further integrate into and help shape the future of the European Research Area (ERA). The event aims not only to contribute to deepening R&I cooperation across Europe but also to promote Poland as a compelling partner in collaborative R&I efforts—offering both emerging research excellence and an evolving institutional ecosystem.

Event Concept and Aims

In an era marked by complex global challenges and rapid scientific advancement, the need for strong, strategic collaboration in research has never been greater. The “Transnational Science Cooperation” event emerges as a timely platform to bring together leading voices from across Europe to reflect on the current state and future of collaborative research. At its core, the event seeks to enhance alignment between European and national research policies within the framework of the European Research Area (ERA). By fostering dialogue among policymakers, funding bodies, academic leaders, and research professionals, the conference aims to strengthen cooperation and coherence in research and innovation systems.

Through a series of forward-looking panels and debates, the event addresses the mechanisms by which scientific talent can be more effectively supported and mobilised across borders. It highlights Poland’s increasing visibility as a destination for high-level research and its commitment to improving institutional frameworks and researchers careers. Moreover, the programme underscores the essential role of funding agencies in catalysing transnational projects and the growing importance of research management and administration (RMA) as a driver of excellence and internationalisation. The PolSCA Office of the Polish Academy of Science in Brussel – as a committed event partner – hosts a session on the evolving field of research management, underscoring its mission to support Poland’s international visibility and participation in European R&I initiatives.

Altogether, the event aims to co-create practical pathways toward a more inclusive, interconnected, and impactful European research ecosystem.

What to expect during the event?

The conference unfolds over two days of dynamic sessions that reflect both political ambitions and practical pathways toward a more connected research environment in Europe. The full event agenda is avaialable at the NAWA portal.

Day 1: Strategic Alignments and Research Talent Flows

After opening remarks and keynote addresses, the agenda launches into a high-level policy discussion on bridging national and EU-level research strategies, unpacking the ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027. Participants will reflect on how synchronised frameworks can improve funding coherence, talent circulation, and innovation outcomes. Subsequent panels highlight Poland’s active steps in becoming a magnet for scientific talent, examining how employment conditions and institutional reforms can better support researchers. A key dialogue on brain circulation follows, emphasising the value of reciprocal mobility and balanced researcher exchange in building resilient knowledge ecosystems.

The day concludes with a Polish networking reception.

Day 2: Funding, Policy Visions, and Professionalisation

Day two opens with a discussion on how grant agencies can catalyse global research cooperation, offering tools and experiences that foster international engagement, particularly within EU Framework Programmes. Next, an open debate considers the future of European Framework Programmes, reflecting on emerging priorities, national contributions, and strategic instruments like the Draghi and Letta reports or the Warsaw Declaration. Afternoon sessions focus on strengthening Research Management and Administration (RMA) as a cornerstone of the new ERA. The final debate explores how investing in RMA skills and networks can unlock cross-border cooperation and institutional capacity.

The event closes with a forward-looking reflection on building effective national strategies for internationalisation.

The event agenda includes sessions such as:

High Level Policy Panel: Bridging Policies for a Stronger ERA – Aligning EU and National StrategiesPoland – Destination for ScientistsBrain Circulation in the World of International Science and ResearchDriving Science Internationalisation: How Grant Agencies Can Foster Global Research?A Path to Strong Innovative European Research Area (hosted by NCBR)Empowering R&I Collaboration in Europe: A New ERA in Research Management (hosted by PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels)Closing Session: Building National Strategies – Does it Really Work?

The event is co-organised by:

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA) of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Brussels

These institutions collaboratively work to promote Polish science internationally, support talent mobility, and foster policy dialogue within the European R&I landscape.

Full and final event agenda is available at the NAWA portal.

Registration for the event was launched in June and it’s disseminated via PolSCA website here!

Horizon Europe Navigators MeetUp: Project Management with focus on PM2
2025-09-02 10:00 - 11:30 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
An upcoming meeting of the network of research managers and administrators across institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, known as the Horizon Europe Navigators, will try to answer questions such as: How to effectively plan, conduct and monitor research projects in a European environment? What management approach should be chosen for projects of varying scale and complexity? In particular, we will look at the PM2 methodology – created and developed by the European Commission and widely used in projects funded by EU research programmes.

The programme includes:

Project management – from theory to practice through excellence;

PM2 – presentation of the tool and its applications in the context of HE;

Q&A and exchange of experiences with participants.

The event will be hosted by Dr Justyna Małkuch-Świtalska, an expert in project management and academic career development, author of the book ‘Scientific Projects. Management in Practice’, trainer and coordinator of national and international projects. Our guest will be Nicos Kourounakis, EU Project Management Consultant and PM2 Expert.

AGENDA

PolSCA Masterclass. Research project management using the PM2 methodology.
2025-10-07 14:00 - 2025-10-08 17:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
PolSCA Office is opening October with the Project Management Masterclass workshops, dedicated to managing research projects according to the PM² standard. The two-day workshops aim to familiarize participants with tools and techniques that facilitate effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects funded by European resources.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the project life cycle, team roles and structures, risk and change management, as well as communicating results in line with the requirements of the European Commission. The sessions will be conducted in the form of practical workshops, also including case study analysis.

The workshops will be led by Dr. Justyna Małkuch-Świtalska – researcher developer, project manager and leader, certified coach and mediator. She specializes in designing and evaluating international training programs for researchers and research managers, as well as in the analysis of researchers’ competencies.

More about Trainer: see here

The event will be an opportunity not only to gain practical skills related to managing research projects in the PM² standard, but also to exchange experiences between research managers and scientists.

The workshops are organized within the framework of the Horizon Europe Navigators network – an initiative of the PolSCA Office, launched in 2021 in synergy with the PASIFIC program. The network brings together research managers from 62 institutes and several auxiliary units of the Polish Academy of Sciences, supporting the exchange of good practices and the development of competencies related to the Horizon Europe program. Regular meetings and trainings within HE Navigators foster the increased participation of PAS institutes in European projects.

The event is organized in cooperation with the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

Agenda of the workshop

Here you can find the summary of event

Horizon Europe Navigators MeetUp: Granty na Eurogranty w PARP – part II
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:30 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Continuing the June meeting within the Horizon Europe Navigators network, we invite you to the second edition of the webinar dedicated to national support mechanisms for participation in European programmes.

This time we will focus on the practical use of the instrument “Grants for Eurogrants”, offered by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development under action FENG.02.12. Participants will learn, among other things, what the eligibility conditions are, how to effectively prepare an application, and will receive practical tips for the institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences preparing to participate in Horizon Europe calls.

The workshops are organized within the Horizon Europe Navigators network – an initiative of the PolSCA Office, launched in 2021 in synergy with the PASIFIC programme. The network brings together research managers from 62 institutes and several auxiliary units of the Polish Academy of Sciences, supporting the exchange of good practices and the development of competencies related to the Horizon Europe programme. Regular meetings and trainings within HE Navigators foster stronger participation of PAS institutes in European projects.

The programme will also include an interactive Q&A session and an exchange of experiences among PAS institutes.

AGENDA

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Polish Scientists and Scholars in Europe – Legacy and the Present
2025-10-17 09:30 - 17:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Polish Academy of Sciences – Scientific Station in Paris, together with the foreign stations of the PAS in Brussels, Rome, Berlin, Vienna and Kyiv, invites to a unique event dedicated to Polish scholars whose achievements shaped and still influence the development of European science.

The meeting will combine reflection on inspiring figures of the past with a conversation about the challenges of contemporary researchers. The exhibition accompanying the event – prepared on the occasion of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the EU – will present the profiles of outstanding scholars and their successors, emphasizing the links of Polish science with the priorities of European research and development policies, including the Horizon Europe program.

The premiere of the exhibition took place during the conference “Transnational Science Cooperation: Fostering Collaborative Research in Europe and Poland,” organized by NAWA on 23–24 June 2025 in Brussels. See the coverage of the exhibition’s inauguration in Brussels here.

The event will be attended by distinguished representatives of the institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, whose profiles were presented in the exhibition, including:

Prof. Maciej Górny, Tadeusz Manteuffel Institute of History, PASProf. Monika Kusiak, Institute of Geophysics, PASProf. Janusz Lewiński, Institute of Physical Chemistry, PASProf. Paweł Olko, Institute of Nuclear Physics, PAS

More details about the event are available on the website of the PAS Scientific Station in Paris here.

REGISTRATION

AGENDA

INSPIRING ERA Exchange: Overcoming Barriers in Open Access Publishing – Towards a More Inclusive and Sustainable ERA
2025-10-28 10:30 - 15:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
A workshop within the INSPIRING ERA project, organized jointly by the National Centre for Research and Development, the PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels and the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, will be an opportunity to discuss the barriers and future of open access to scientific publications in Europe.

The goal of the INSPIRING ERA Exchange on Open Access Publications is to jointly develop practical solutions that foster a more inclusive and sustainable Open Access (OA) publishing system across Europe. The event aims to assess the current state of OA policies, identify barriers and challenges faced by different stakeholders — including researchers, publishers, and funding institutions — and co-create recommendations to improve OA policies, funding mechanisms, and infrastructures within the European Research Area (ERA). It also seeks to amplify the voices of smaller publishers and representatives of the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), ensuring their active participation in the European dialogue on Open Science.

More info about INSPIRING ERA EXCHANGE here.

Participants of the meeting will have the opportunity to:

learn about the perspectives of the European Commission, research funding organizations, and OA initiatives;discuss issues of funding, infrastructure, accessibility, and research assessment;exchange experiences in interactive working groups;co-create recommendations for national and European policies.

AGENDA

REGISTRATION

1st Central and Eastern European Congress for Research Managers - a new regional forum for the RMA community
2025-11-04 00:00 - 2025-11-05 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
4 &5 November 2025, Brussels –The first CEE Congress for Research Managers and Administrators will gather the region’s RMA community for two days of keynotes, panels, parallel workshops, focused sessions and networking. The programme walks through the full project lifecycle, i.e. from developing RMA talent, shaping proposals and budgets to implementation, impact and reporting.

How did the Congress come about?

The Congress grows out of a decade of V4 Trainings for Research Project Managers, organised by the Brussels liaison offices of the Czech Republic (CZELO), Hungary (NRDIO), Poland (PolSCA) and Slovakia (SLORD). This long-standing practical cooperation has naturally evolved into a pan-European platform for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) aimed at strengthening the visibility of the RMA profession, exchanging good practices and co-creating standards. It marks a shift from a training series to a flagship event that builds durable networks, policy dialogue and institutional partnerships.

Why now? Because the RMA community in CEE needs a dedicated space to join forces across institutions and countries, accelerate skills development across the whole project cycle, and do so in a way aligned with ERA priorities and open to partners from all over Europe.

What’s in the programme?

Day 1. Setting the Stage for Research Management Excellence

Opening & Keynote: Advancing research excellence in CEE through professional research management.Plenary: Building a stronger ERA; panel on “Unlocking CEE’s Research Potential” with a spotlight on institutional cooperation and national support systems for RMAs.Parallel sessions:Pre-pre-award — talent development and RMA career pathwaysPre-award — from idea to proposal, alignment with EU prioritiesPost-award — compliant, efficient project deliveryFocused Session 1: Digital collaboration and management tools — demos and user-to-user exchange.Evening reception for informal networking.

Day 2. Deep Dives into Research Management Phases

Parallel sessions:Pre-pre-award — soft skills (communication, leadership, negotiation)Pre-award — budgeting and financial planningPost-award — impact and reportingPlenary: Best practices in research management — translating proven models into the CEE context; roundtable on cross-border collaboration, regional support and joint solutions.Focused Session 2: AI in research management — practical tools, institutional readiness, ethics and governance.Closing: A shared vision for RMA development in CEE and next steps for professionalisation.

See the full PROGRAMME

Media contact: Łukasz Pieczonka (PolSCA): lukasz.pieczonka@polsca.pan.pl

The event is aimed at research managers and administrators from universities, research institutions and innovation centres in Central and Eastern Europe who have participated in previous editions of the V4 Training for Research Managers, organised periodically in Brussels by the PolSCA Office and partners from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

For the summary of event, please click: HERE

MEDIA, MIGRATION and EDUCATION - Cluster 2 Matchmaking event
2025-11-20 00:00 - 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
The PolSCA office, in cooperation with the IGLO liaison offices in Brussels representing a total of 12 Member States: Austria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Spain, with the possible participation of representatives from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, is organising a matchmaking event for those interested in the upcoming calls for proposals to be published under the 2026-2027 Work Programme – Cluster 2. The event will take place in person in Brussels on 20 November 2025 and will focus on topics related to media, migration and education.

The organisers selected 12 topics based on the draft Work Programme 2026-2027 officially published by the European Commission in the Comitology Register (see document).

For whom?

The event is aimed at researchers and other individuals involved or planning to become involved in the Horizon Europe framework programme. So, if you are planning to submit an application in the 2026 call for proposals in the thematic area of media, migration and education, don’t wait and register for the event! Participants in the match-making meeting should be able to engage in technical discussions about the project ideas presented or the expertise they can bring to the consortium.

Registration – CLOSED

Registration for the event is required and will remain open until 7 September 2025. As the number of places available is limited to 5-7 people per country, we will select participants based on the information provided in the registration form.

Find out what we are planning for you – AGENDA

The match-making event offers you the opportunity to:• Present your institution,• Establish new contacts with representatives from foreign universities and research institutions,• Discuss potential cooperation opportunities on projects with partners from Spain, France, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

Financial support

The NCP_WIDERA.NET project offers travel grants of up to 1,000 EUR to support applicants from Widening countries in attending on-site Pillar II clusters, European Partnerships, and Missions brokerage events. The grant covers travel and accommodation costs.

More information and how to apply: https://www.ncpwideranet.eu/travel-grants/

Looking for Proposal Feedback? Join wideraexperts.eu!

wideraexperts.eu is a free-of-charge portal that connects experts with applicants from Widening countries preparing proposals under Widening, ERA, Pillar II clusters, Institutionalised European Partnerships, EIC Pathfinder, and Missions schemes of Horizon Europe. The platform helps improve proposal quality through expert feedback.

Check the list of eligible countries and read more here: https://www.ncpwideranet.eu/wideraexperts/

Keep track the event HERE

Horizon Europe Navigators Meetup - next framework porgramme FP10
2025-11-28 09:30 - 11:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Horizon Europe Navigators Meetup: the next framework programme – Horizon Europe 2028-2034

The 2025 brings a pivotal moment for the European research and innovation landscape – the publication of the European Commission’s proposal for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), covering the years 2028–2034.

During the webinar, we will explore the main elements of the FP10 proposal, learn about its key novelties and continuity aspects, and discuss how the R&I community – including universities and research-performing organisations – perceives this new framework. Beyond usual members of the HE Navigators network, the meeting will be open to management of the Academy, incl. scientific leadership across 67 PAS institutes and PolSCA Advisory Council.

Agenda

Diamond ERA: Fostering Openness in the European Research Area - open event!
2025-12-04 00:00 - 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Join leading Polish & European research institutions for a live, in-person conference in Brussels on Diamond Open Access, shaping the future of fair and innovative publishing in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Registration is required.

The “Diamond ERA: Fostering Openness in the European Research Area” conference is a one-day policy-focused event that brings together key stakeholders to advance the conversation on Diamond Open Access (OA) in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) across the European Research Area (ERA). Taking place on 4 December 2025 in Brussels at the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union, this open event aims to highlight and promote Diamond OA as a sustainable, equitable, andmission-driven model of scholarly publishing. It provides a platform for engagement between policymakers, researchers, publishers, research funders, and infrastructure providers to collaboratively identify pathways toward stronger support and integration of Diamond OA practices in the European science policy landscape.

Why now?

The timing of the conference is particularly relevant. With the ongoing negotiations of the next framework programme Horizon Europe 2028-2034 as well as preparations for the new ERA Act, there is a unique opportunity to ensure that Diamond OA is reflected within the next phase of European research policy. At the same time, the Diamond model is gaining the recognition it deserves as a credible, community-led alternative to commercial publishing platforms. This growing momentum underscores the need for coordinated action to strengthen Europe’s capacity for open, independent, and sustainable scholarly communication. The conference seeks to contribute to this effort by positioning the Diamond model as a cornerstone of a more open and resilient European research ecosystem.

What you can expect?

Opening Session: The Policy Horizon for Diamond OA in Europe

Showcase Session: Institutional and community-driven Diamond OA initiatives

Keynote presentation: The European Diamond Capacity Hub

Panel Discussion: How to support Diamond OA in ERA – discussion with the community

Panel Discussion: Indexing Diamond OA Content

Networking and refreshments

Event summary HERE

The conference is co-organised by the Digital Humanities Centre at the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBL PAN, Warsaw), a leading centre for digital humanities and a key facilitator of open scholarly communication in Poland and the Polish Science Contact Agency of the Polish Academy of Science (PolSCA PAS, Brussels) with the support of OPERAS Research Infrastructure.The event is sponsored by the Polish Academy of Sciences.

See more about event in NEWS

EMERGE-EU – PolSCA Office study visit to Brussels focusing on advanced materials
2026-01-21 00:00 - 2026-01-23 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
PolSCA Office of the Polish Academy of Sciences is organising a study visit to Brussels focusing on Advanced Materials. This pilot project is an extension of the PolSCA Office’s activities for scientists, building on the success of a similar format implemented for research managers.

The study visit is being carried out in cooperation with international partners from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. This ensures an international composition of the group, promoting networking and cooperation in the field of new and advanced materials.

The EMERGE-EU study visit will take place on 21–23 January 2026 in Brussels. The participants of the visit are researchers working in the field of Advanced Materials who are at an early stage of their academic careers, i.e. postdoctoral researchers transitioning from R2 to R3. The study visit is an excellent opportunity for future scientific leaders interested in further strengthening their research careers and engaging in international cooperation.

The programme includes the following:

sessions devoted to the perspective of the Directorate-General for Research & Innovation on advanced materials,sessions focused on opportunities offered by the European Research Council (ERC), the COST programme, and EIC instruments,sessions addressing issues related to research careers in the context of the European Research Area (ERA),matchmaking in a small, international group, including short participant presentations and one-to-one meetings,a study visit (site visit) to Ghent University.

This EMERGE-EU study visit is one of the activities organised by the PolSCA PAN Office to strengthen the presence of Polish scientists in the European research and innovation ecosystem, particularly in the field of new and advanced materials. The aim is to support researchers in developing their skills at the transition stage to scientific independence, help them to find their way around the European institutional environment, and build lasting international cooperation networks that can form the basis for future research projects and initiatives at a European level.

Detailed programme of the EMERGE-EU study visit is available here

Public consultations on the Advanced Materials Act (AMA)

The European Commission conducted public consultations on the Advanced Materials Act (AMA) until 13 January 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen the EU’s technological competitiveness and accelerate the deployment of innovations in the field of advanced materials. The AMA is intended to create a coherent and innovation-friendly regulatory framework and to support technology scale-up as well as the transfer of research results to industry. More information about this process is available on the PolSCA Office website.

Summary of the EMERGE-EU study visit is available here

PolSCA Connects Brussels! New Year's lunch for the Polish community active in Brussels in the field of science policy
2026-02-06 13:00 - 15:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
These meetings will be dedicated to Poles working in Brussels in the field of science policy – in EU institutions and organisations and entities related to the European research and innovation ecosystem. As part of this series, we want to encourage professional networking, support the exchange of contacts and strengthen cooperation among Polish experts and practitioners involved in shaping European science policy in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.

At the same time, we would like to invite selected guests – including scientists from Poland – to participate in these informal meetings, who will tell us about their research and current challenges facing Europe in the form of lightning talks. This time, we will look at how new technologies are changing the approach to cultural heritage. Our special guest will be dr Żaneta Żegleń (Jagiellonian University in Krakow), coordinator of the IMPULSE project.

Due to the closed nature of the event, participation is only possible for invited guests.

PolSCA Masterclass. Research project management using the PM2 methodology - 2nd edition.
2026-02-09 14:00 - 2026-02-10 17:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
PolSCA Office is opening February with the 2nd edition of Project Management Masterclass workshops, dedicated to managing research projects according to the PM² standard. The two-day workshops aim to familiarize participants with tools and techniques that facilitate effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects funded by European resources.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the project life cycle, team roles and structures, risk and change management, as well as communicating results in line with the requirements of the European Commission. The sessions will be conducted in the form of practical workshops, also including case study analysis.

The workshops will be led by Dr. Justyna Małkuch-Świtalska – researcher developer, project manager and leader, certified coach and mediator. She specializes in designing and evaluating international training programs for researchers and research managers, as well as in the analysis of researchers’ competencies.

More about Trainer: see here

The event will be an opportunity not only to gain practical skills related to managing research projects in the PM² standard, but also to exchange experiences between research managers and scientists.

The workshops are organized within the framework of the Horizon Europe Navigators network – an initiative of the PolSCA Office, launched in 2021 in synergy with the PASIFIC program. The network brings together research managers from 62 institutes and several auxiliary units of the Polish Academy of Sciences, supporting the exchange of good practices and the development of competencies related to the Horizon Europe program. Regular meetings and trainings within HE Navigators foster the increased participation of PAS institutes in European projects.

The event is organized in cooperation with the Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

Programme of the workshop (PL version 1.0)

V4 Training for Research Project Managers - 18th edition!
2026-03-09 00:00 - 2026-03-11 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
We invite you to participate in the next edition of our flagship training course, ‘V4 Training for Research Project Managers’, which will take place in Brussels on 9, 10 and 11 March 2026. As in previous years, we are co-organising it in cooperation with the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Science (CZELO), the National Research, Development and Innovation Office in Hungary (NRDIO) and the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD).

The V4 Training programme includes presentations by representatives of the European Commission, experts from liaison offices and Belgian academic centres. In addition, we encourage participants to actively participate in group discussions and networking meetings, during which they can exchange experiences.

Further details and application form: HERE

Summary of the event: HERE

CROSSPATHS Matchmaking Event on Horizon Europe Cluster 6
2026-03-25 00:00 - 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
The CROSSPATHS Matchmaking Event is a one-day networking and brokerage meeting dedicated to research and innovation actors interested in building project consortia for upcoming Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls. The event is organised by the CROSSPATHS project consortium, in cooperation with the Brussels-based liaison offices ETAG and PolSCA PAN, together with a wider group of partner institutions from across Europe.

The event will take place on 25 March 2026 in Brussels, combining EU policy perspectives with a highly practical approach to project cooperation

The programme focuses on hands-on matchmaking, including short pitching sessions and pre-arranged one-to-one bilateral meetings. The agenda is structured around three Horizon Europe Cluster 6 destinations:

Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors

Fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption

Biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Matchmaking activities will be complemented by sessions addressing the policy context of the 2026–2027 calls, lessons learned from Horizon Europe projects, and forward-looking reflections on future framework programme priorities.

List of selected topics under CL6 HE

Agenda of the event

Participation requires prior registration (expression of interest) via the relevant Brussels-based research and innovation liaison office (including PolSCA PAN for participants from Poland). Invited participants will subsequently be asked to create a profile in the b2match online matchmaking system, enabling the presentation of expertise and the scheduling of bilateral meetings during the on-site event in Brussels.

For more details follow the event announcement HERE

Summary of the event can be found HERE.

MSCA at 30: Research mobility & bridging gaps across Europe.
2026-05-21 00:00 - 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Thirty years of MSCA Programme is more than an anniversary. It’s a chance to look honestly at what mobility has enabled across Europe, what still blocks talent circulation, and how MSCA can better help close gaps between research and innovation ecosystems as the FP10 debate approaches. This event is designed as a working conversation participatory, practical, and built around real experience rather than ceremony. REGISTER NOW nad join us on 21 May in Brussels!

The event is designed for researchers at all career stages, research managers, institutional representatives and policy stakeholders who are actively engaged in shaping or supporting research careers and international collaboration.

It will be relevant for those working on research policy, shaping the current implementation as well as future of the MSCA programme, as well for all those interested to apply for MSCA, hosting fellows, building consortia, etc. By combining high-level policy perspectives with practical, experience-based discussions and structured networking formats, the event offers a rare opportunity to move beyond general narratives and engage directly with peers, decision-makers and potential partners. Participants will gain concrete insights, identify collaboration opportunities and contribute to a forward-looking discussion on how MSCA can more effectively support talent circulation, institutional development and stronger research ecosystems across Europe.

By its design, the event is for people who want to move beyond talking about “success stories” and get into the practicalities: mobility, institutional barriers, pathways for returning home, building capacity in Central European countries, and how MSCA instruments can do even more to help shape a more coherent European Research Area.

Thematic sessions and more!

Wall of Opportunities: Interactive networking space. An opening networking format designed to help participants quickly identify potential partners, host institutions, secondment opportunities and contacts for further cooperation.

30 Years of MSCA: What Built Europe’s Talent Programme and what’s next for FP10. An opening session devoted to the achievements of MSCA and the future of the programme in the context of the next European framework.Special Guest: Mr Manuel ALEXIO, Member of the Cabinet, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission

Making MSCA works: career paths, institutions, and cross-border reality. A panel on how MSCA shapes careers, mobility, working conditions and the development of cooperation across different research ecosystems in Europe in practice.ędzy różnymi ekosystemami badawczymi w Europie.Moderator: Dr Tomasz POPRAWKA, Director of PolSCA PAS Office BrusselsGuests: Claire MOREL – Head of Unit, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission; Serena GARGIULO, PhD – Vice Chair of the MCAA Benelux Chapter, Belgium; Béla FISER, PhD – Chair of the MCAA Hungary Chapter, University of Miskolc, Hungary; Michael NONES, PHD – Board Member of the MCAA Poland Chapter, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

Talent circulation, capacity building, research bridges: closing gaps with MSCA portfolio. An interactive fishbowl discussion on how mobility and MSCA instruments can strengthen institutional capacity and reduce inequalities within the European Research Area.Moderator: Dr Shaghayegh KESHANIDOKHT, Board Member of the MCAA Chapter BeneluxGuests: Maria GÓRNA, PhD – University of Warsaw, Poland; Valentina VIGNALI, PhD – University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands; dr Tamas BEKE-SOMFAI – Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, HUN-REN TTK & Hungarian Young Academy, Hungary

NAWA–MSCA Network: A practical model for return, reintegration and career support. A short session presenting a practical model of support for researchers at the stages of application, mobility, return and reintegration.Guest: Ms Bogna HRYNISZYN, Excellence in Science Department PAS, NAWA-MSCA Network Central PolandMSCA Deep Dives: Focused Roundtables. Blok A block of parallel, moderated discussions devoted to the most important challenges related to careers, mobility and institutional capacity for implementing MSCA:

PhD/ Postdoc careers & brain circulation: MSCA as a talent-attracting platform, a discussion on how MSCA supports career development, mobility decisions, and pathways for return and talent retention.

Moderator: Isabel HERZHOFF KOWI Office, Brussels

Intersectoral Mobility & Non-Academic Pathways: From Secondments to Sustainable Careers a session on cooperation with the non-academic sector, intersectoral mobility and long-term career pathways beyond the traditional academic model.

Moderator: Dunja HOFMANN KOWI Office, Brussels

Research Management, HR & Institutional Capacity: Enabling MSCA Across Diverse Systems, a discussion on how administrative structures, HR and institutional support shape the effective implementation and long-term sustainability of MSCA actions.

Moderator: Łukasz PIECZONKA, PolSCA PAS, Brussels

MSCA Matchmaking Zones. Find Your Partner! A networking block designed around concrete partnership, hosting and implementation support needs for future MSCA actions:

PhD & Postdocs marketplace (researchers seeking hosts, institutions offering positions). A session for those looking for hosts, candidates and cooperation opportunities around individual projects and postdoctoral pathways.

Moderator: Nanditha K. NARAYANAN, KU Leuven & MCAA Chapter Benelux

Institutional partnerships (researchers & institutions seeking partners to build consortia). A session focused on building partnerships for Doctoral Networks, Staff Exchanges and other joint institutional actions.

Moderator: Linda VALKO NethER Office in Brussels

Implementation Support (connecting researchers with RMAs, EURAXESS advisors). A session devoted to practical support regarding MSCA rules, proposal preparation and project management.

Moderator: Beatrix BORZA MSCA NCP, Hungary

MSCA stories that teach: Practical lessons from the field is a series of short presentations highlighting practical lessons drawn from participation in MSCA and their broader significance for institutions and the system. Session host: Vanessa DEBIAIS-SAINTON – Head of MSCA Department at Research Executive Agency, European CommissionSpeakers: Margo BAELE – Ghent University, Belgium; dr Tamas BEKE-SOMFAI – Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, HUN-REN TTK & Hungarian Young Academy, Hungary; Agnieszka TADRZAK – Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

From Practice to Policy. From Today’s Insights to Tomorrow’s MSCA. A special closing session that interactively gathers conclusions from the whole day and connects participants’ experience with the debate on the future of MSCA and FP10.Specisl Guests: Ms Eszter LAKOS, Member of the European Parliament, EPP/ITRE; Ms Magdalena KULA, Research Attaché, Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU; Ms Claire MOREL – Head of Unit, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission

Networking receptionas the final part of the event, intended for more informal conversations and for continuing the contacts established throughout the day!

Event agenda HERE

REGISTRATION

Registration is now closed. Thank you for all submissions!

Organisers

Event organised in collaboration with the Polish Academy of Sciences (PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels and Excellence in Science Department of the PAS in Warsaw – NAWA-MSCA Contact Point for Central Poland) and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Chapters Benelux, Hungary and Poland. Local partners of the event in Brussels include the liaison offices: KOWI (Germany), Neth-ER (Netherlands) and NRDIO (Hungary).

Alongside our special guests, representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as the experts already mentioned, the event will also bring together distinguished members of the European research and institutional community and others who are actively contributing to the organisation of this special event.

Such a broad and international group of guests gives the event a distinctive profile and confirms that it will be one of the more important meetings devoted to the future of MSCA actions, research mobility and research cooperation in Europe!

Read our full summary of the event HERE

See the coverage on the Polish Academy of Sciences website HERE

Research Data in Europe: Security, Sovereignty and Resilience
2026-06-02 15:30 - 18:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
How can Europe build a secure, resilient and sovereign research data ecosystem? Representatives of the European Commission, European research organisations and institutions of the Polish Academy of Sciences will discuss the challenges related to data protection, interoperability of research infrastructures, and the strategic importance of research data for science and trustworthy artificial intelligence during the event “Research Data in Europe: Security, Sovereignty and Resilience”, organised on 2 June 2026 in Brussels by the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) and the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA of the Polish Academy of Sciences, in partnership with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union.

Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Brussels, together with the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, invite participants to the event “Research Data in Europe: Security, Sovereignty and Resilience”, dedicated to the future of the European research data ecosystem. The meeting will take place on 2 June 2026 at 15:30 in Brussels, at the premises of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union.

The debate will focus on the challenges related to the security, resilience and sovereignty of research data in Europe. Participants will discuss the importance of research data for scientific progress, the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in the face of global challenges. The discussion will also address research infrastructures, interoperability, data protection and international cooperation.

The event will bring together representatives of the European Commission, Science Europe, the EOSC Association, as well as European research institutions and organisations. Speakers and panellists will also include representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences, among them Prof. Daniel Wójcik from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS (representing the European Brain Council) and Prof. Sławomir Sagan, Director of the Institute of Oceanology PAS. The event will be opened, among others, by Dr Tomasz Poprawka, Director of the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA PAS in Brussels. A networking reception will follow the official programme.

Participation in the event requires prior registration. Registered participants will receive an individual confirmation of participation from the main organiser of the event – the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) – together with instructions regarding access to the building of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union.

Agenda of the event HERE

Summary of the event HERE

EMERGE-EU: AI and Health – another PolSCA study visit to Brussels
2026-06-15 00:00 - 2026-06-17 23:59
Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA in Brussels is organising another EMERGE-EU study visit, this time focusing on topics related to artificial intelligence and health. As with the first edition, the programme will include expert sessions, networking activities in Brussels, and an institutional visit. Participants will represent countries such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

The June edition builds on the initiative launched in January 2026, when the first EMERGE-EU study visit took place in Brussels and focused on advanced materials. That event introduced a new support format for researchers at an early stage of their careers who are looking to become more active in the European research and innovation ecosystem.

Focus of the visit

The visit will focus on AI and Health, with particular attention to funding opportunities, consortium building, and project development at the intersection of science, technology and healthcare. The preliminary programme includes thematic sessions with representatives of the European Commission, meetings devoted to opportunities offered by the ERC, EIC and COST, as well as an overview of upcoming opportunities under Horizon Europe. The agenda also features a matchmaking session bringing together participants from different countries, along with a study visit to one of Belgium’s research institutions.

Candidates

The event is addressed to young, outstanding leaders entering or strengthening their independence in the world of science, holding a doctoral or postdoctoral degree, or equivalent qualifications and research experience (R2/early R3 level).

Ideal candidates to participate in the study visit are scientists in the field of health and life sciences who base their research on AI tools, and scientists in ICT who develop AI tools for researchers in the field of health and life sciences.

Purpose of the visit

The EMERGE-EU study visit is part of PolSCA’s broader efforts to strengthen the presence of Polish researchers in the European Research Area. Its aim is not only to support the development of participants’ individual research paths, but also to create opportunities for long-term connections and future project collaboration in fields of growing importance to EU research policy.

Visit programme

Day 1:

Introduction and presentation of the programmeThematic policy session: EU policies for AI in HealthStrategy for Life Sciences

Day 2:

Opportunities of ERC and an exchange of good practice with ERCEA Agency officialsUnlocking EIC Pathfinder for Emerging Researchers in deep techCOST opportunitiesUpcoming opportunities under Horizon Europe Work Programme 2027 (tbc)Free Matchmaking session among participants

Day 3:

Site visit at the one of the research – scientific institutions in Belgium

Registration

Registration for this event is open. We encourage research institutions to internally select candidates who best fit the event’s profile and can fully use its potential. The PolSCA Office can select a maximum of four participants from Poland for this visit. The organizers do not cover travel and accommodation costs for participants.

Please click on the link below to register. The form is open till 13 May 2026,12:00.

REGISTRATION FORM

PolSCA Masterclass: Advanced training on research project management using the PM2 methodology
2026-06-18 12:00 - 2026-06-19 17:00, 2026-06-24 12:00 - 2026-06-25 17:00 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
PolSCA PAS is organising an advanced training course as part of the PolSCA Masterclass – Research Project Management using the PM2 Methodology series. This time, both editions of the workshop, on 18–19 June and 24–25 June, will take place in Kraków!

The training is a continuation of previous workshops dedicated to the practical use of the PM2 methodology in research project management, in particular projects funded by European programmes. This edition will have a more advanced, workshop-based format. Its aim is to further develop selected topics that are especially important at the stage of project preparation, planning and organisation.

What is on the agenda?

The training programme will cover two thematic blocks:

A. Project initiation and planningParticipants will discuss the main elements involved in project preparation, including defining project objectives, scope, results, stakeholders and basic organisational assumptions. Particular attention will be paid to the practical application of PM2 tools in the context of research projects.

B. WBS / work packages, roles and team structuresThe second part of the training will focus on creating a work breakdown structure, defining work packages and assigning responsibilities within the project team. Participants will work on ways to translate project assumptions into a clear structure of activities, tasks and roles.

Who is it for and where will it take place?

The training will be delivered as a two-day, on-site workshop in Kraków, at the Institute of Nature Conservation PAS. The meeting will have a practical character, with emphasis on working with examples, discussion and exchange of experience among participants.

Participants invited to take part are those involved in the preparation, coordination and administration of research projects at PAS Institutes, who have already completed the general training course within the series: » PolSCA Masterclass. Research project management using the PM2 methodology and » PolSCA Masterclass. Research project management using the PM2 methodology – 2nd edition.

The advanced PM2 training is another step in PolSCA PAS activities aimed at strengthening competences in professional research project management and building a community of people involved in project support in Polish scientific institutions.

All details shall be send to the Participants in the beginnig of June.

SAVE-THE-DATE - From Soil to Systems: Living Labs and Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future of Agriculture
2026-10-13 00:00 - 23:59 | NAŁĘCZ INSTITUTE OF BIOCYBERNETICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING PAS, UL. KSIĘCIA TROJDENA 4, WARSAW, 02-109, Poland
Soil is rarely at the centre of conversations about the future of agriculture. We tend to focus on food production, resilience, new technologies, competitiveness and security. Yet all of these questions begin with the same basic resource: healthy soil. Its condition shapes biodiversity, water retention, crop quality and the long-term viability of farming systems.

On 13 October 2026, PolSCA PAS Office, the Committee of Agronomic Sciences of PAS and University of Florence will host a conference in Brussels on soil and plant health, and their role in the future of European agriculture.

Bridging the Gap: Policy, Research and Living Labs

The event will take the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” as its starting point. As one of the five Horizon Europe Missions, it has helped bring soil health into a broader policy and research debate. Just as importantly, it has moved that debate closer to practice: to farms, regions, field trials and collaborative projects involving farmers, researchers, businesses, public authorities and civil society organisations.

A central theme of the conference will be Living Labs. Rather than treating them as another Brussels policy term, the event will look at what they mean in practice: testing ideas in the places where they are expected to work. In fields, on farms and within local innovation ecosystems, it becomes much easier to see which solutions can make a real difference, and which remain convincing mainly on paper.

Technology and Data in Sustainable Agriculture

The conference will also look at artificial intelligence and the growing role of data in agriculture. Digital tools can help monitor soils, crops and agroecosystems, support precision farming and improve decision-making. At the same time, they raise practical and political questions: who controls agricultural data, who benefits from it, how can digital tools respond to the needs of users, and how can technology support sustainability rather than simply add another layer of complexity?

The event will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, businesses and civil society organisations. It will also refer to ongoing work under European partnerships.

The conference follows on from “Advancing Food Systems in Europe”, organised by PolSCA Office in March 2025.

Draft agenda

09:30-10:00 | Registration and welcome coffee

10:00-10:15| Opening of the conference

10:15-10:30 | Keynote address

10:30–12:00 | Session I

From the Mission Soil to Lasting Innovation Ecosystems: The Future of Living Labs in European Agriculture

This opening plenary session will explore the evolution of the EU Soil Mission from a research and innovation initiative into a catalyst for long-term systemic transformation in agriculture. The discussion will examine how Living Labs have emerged as key instruments for co-creating, testing and scaling sustainable agricultural solutions, while fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, businesses and public authorities. Looking beyond Horizon Europe, the session will address how Living Labs can be embedded within agricultural innovation ecosystems and what role they may play in shaping priorities and implementation mechanisms under FP10. Particular attention will be given to governance models, sustainability of funding, and pathways for maintaining impact beyond the lifetime of Mission-funded projects.

The session will contain keynote opening, strategic introduction to the agroecology living labs ecosystem, panel discussion and showcase session.

13:00–14:30 | Session II

Smart Agroecosystems: Harnessing AI Tools and Crop Diversification for Soil Health

This session explores the synergy between digital innovation and agroecological practices, focusing on the combined potential of AI tools and crop diversification strategies, such as inter-cropping and the integration of legumes, to evaluate and enhance soil health. The discussion addresses key policy directives, environmental impacts, and practical on-farm challenges associated with digital agriculture. By examining both the opportunities and risks of intelligent agroecosystem monitoring, this session aims to bridge policy, scientific innovation, and practical implementation. Attendees will gain insights into the European Strategy for AI in Science, followed by an extended, interactive panel discussion featuring agricultural practitioners.

The session will consist of keynote strategic opening, panel discussion and showcase session.

14.30 -15.00 | Closing session

15:00-16:30 | Networking

Satellite Brokerage Event: Partnering for Nature, Agriculture and Resilience

On 12 October 2026, the day before the conference, the NCBR Office in Brussels will host the international brokerage event “Partnering for Nature, Agriculture and Resilience”.

The event is aimed at researchers, project managers and organisations interested in building consortia for selected 2027 calls under Horizon Europe Cluster 6. The programme will include project idea pitches, a consortium-building workshop and networking opportunities.

Participants are welcome to attend both events. Separate registration is required.

More information and registration to Brokerage Event

Further information on the final programme and registration will be published soon.
