AI in research is moving beyond experimentation. Registration is open for the V4 conference “Exploring the Role of AI in Research”

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly visible part of the everyday work of researchers, evaluators and research support professionals. It helps structure ideas, analyse information, draft texts and work with large volumes of data. At the same time, it raises questions that the research community is still learning how to answer. These questions will be at the heart of “Exploring the Role of AI in Research”, taking place in Brussels on 20 October 2026. Registration is open.

Recruitment opens for “Horizon Europe 2027: Matchmaking Event for AI, Data and Digital Infrastructure”

PolSCA has opened recruitment for participants from Poland for the international “Horizon Europe 2027: Matchmaking Event for AI, Data and Digital Infrastructure”, which will take place in Brussels on 12 November 2026. Ten places are available within the Polish allocation. The event is aimed at organisations preparing for the 2027 Horizon Europe calls in the field of AI, data and digital infrastructure under Cluster 4.

European Excellence Initiative: how can FP10 support scientific excellence at scale?

Europe has strong instruments supporting both outstanding individual researchers and collaborative projects. What is still less developed is the space in between: long-term, cross-border research communities built around a shared scientific agenda and able to grow beyond the lifetime and scale of individual projects. This will be at the centre of the workshop “European Excellence Initiative: How FP10 can support long-term large-scale bottom-up and researcher-driven R&I collaborations to boost the EU leadership in science?”, taking place in Brussels on 22 September 2026.

The discussion starts from what could be described as a “missing middle” in the European research funding landscape. Existing EU instruments successfully support individual excellence, collaborative projects and partnerships, but there is still room for long-term, bottom-up and researcher-driven initiatives connecting leading research centres across borders around a common scientific agenda.

One proposal to be explored during the workshop is a European Excellence Initiative within FP10. Such an instrument could support transnational research networks with sufficient scale, scientific autonomy and a long-term funding perspective. The discussion will look at its possible scope, beneficiaries, place within the future Framework Programme and complementarity with existing EU instruments.

The programme will bring together researchers and policy voices to discuss how FP10 could help Europe scale up scientific excellence. The round table will include René Repasi, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur on the FP10 specific programme, Krzysztof Pyrć, President of the Foundation for Polish Science, Nils Wörner from the German Rectors’ Conference and Fabrice Lemoine from the University of Lorraine. Aleksandra Pękowska from the Dioscuri Centre at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences will also share a researcher’s perspective.

The event is co-organised by the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, in collaboration with the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Brussels.

Agenda of the event HERE.

V4 Training for Research Project Managers – applications now open for the 19th edition!

The 19th edition of the V4 Training for Research Project Managers will take place in Brussels on 23-25 November 2026. The training is jointly organised by the four Visegrad Group liaison offices for research and innovation: the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO), National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO), Polish Contact Science Agency (PolSCA) of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD). PolSCA is now inviting applications for 9 places available to participants representing Polish institutions.

Wrap-up: PolSCA Masterclass – Research Project Management with PM2 Methodology

June 2026 brought two editions of one of the most hands-on workshops in PolSCA PAN’s training offer. The in-depth workshop on research project management using the PM2 methodology took place on 18-19 and 24-25 June at the Institute of Nature Conservation PAN in Kraków. Across four days – spread over two groups – 45 researchers and research managers from PAN institutes and units got to work on what is often the hardest part of research work: turning a good idea into a well-managed project.

PolSCA and SLORD to co-chair IGLO in 2026–2027

During this year’s IGLO Summer Reception, the Brussels-based R&I liaison community gathered for an afternoon of discussion, exchange and networking. The event was also a special moment for PolSCA and SLORD, as Tomasz Poprawka, Director of the Polish Science Contact Agency, and Monika Bideau Repčíková, Head of the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development, were officially presented as the incoming IGLO Co-Chairs for 2026–2027.

EMERGE-EU: AI & Health – Connecting Emerging Researchers Across Europe

More than 20 researchers from Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom came together in Brussels for the EMERGE-EU AI & Health – Networking Study Visit for Emerging Researchers. Over three intensive days, participants explored the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and health, exchanged ideas, and laid the foundations for future international collaborations. The programme was designed for researchers at the R2/R3 career stage who are building or strengthening their scientific independence and conducting research at the intersection of AI and life sciences. Through expert-led sessions, networking activities, and direct engagement with European stakeholders, participants gained valuable insights into both the scientific and policy dimensions of AI for health.

PolSCA Masterclass: Advanced training on research project management using the PM2 methodology

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 planning
Participants 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 structures
The 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.

PolSCA Masterclass: Advanced training on research project management using the PM2 methodology

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 planning
Participants 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 structures
The 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.

EMERGE-EU: AI and Health – another PolSCA study visit to Brussels

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.