EMERGE-EU: Study visit for emerging researchers in advanced materials to Brussels and Ghent

The study visit, entitled EMERGE-EU, was designed as a targeted initiative to strengthen the ability of emerging researchers in the field of advanced materials to navigate the European research and innovation landscape, while promoting direct collaboration with key institutions at the EU level, funding bodies, and professional networks. The visit brought together early-stage and mid-career researchers (R2-R3) representing Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the diversity and scientific breadth of the European advanced materials community.

Participants were affiliated with a wide range of institutions, including:

Ghent University (Belgium)
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Institute of Physical Chemistry and Institute of Optical Materials) and Sofia University
IFW Dresden and RWTH Aachen institutes associated with Leibnitz (Germany)
three institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Institute of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry)
The FunGlass Center at Alexander Dubček University in Trenčín and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Institute of Polymers)
and two universities based in the United Kingdom: the University of Bath and Aston University.

This institutional diversity ensured a truly interdisciplinary exchange covering chemistry, physics, materials engineering, biomaterials, and applied technologies.

Day 1: Policy perspectives and advocacy

The first day of the study visit, which took place in Brussels, placed a strong emphasis on the policy dimension of advanced materials research and its position within the European Research Area. Participants were briefed on the current priorities of the European Commission, with a particular focus on how scientific knowledge in the field of advanced materials contributes to EU policy-making.

Meetings with representatives of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) highlighted the growing importance of science-to-policy mechanisms and the role of evidence-based research in shaping industrial leadership, sustainability, and strategic autonomy. These exchanges provided participants with a clearer understanding of how research programs and policy frameworks interact at the EU level and how researchers can become more actively involved beyond project funding.

An equally important element of the first day was the interaction with the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS). Discussions with FEMS leadership highlighted the role of professional societies in advocacy, representation, and community building across Europe. The exchange of views illustrated how disciplinary networks contribute to shaping strategic debates, supporting early-career researchers, and strengthening the collective voice of the materials science community.

Day 2: Funding opportunities and partner matching in practice

The second day focused on European funding instruments and offered participants a structured overview of opportunities in the areas of individual excellence, research collaboration, and breakthrough innovation. Presentations covered key programs such as ERC grants, COST actions, and EIC Pathfinder, and also provided information on upcoming opportunities under the Horizon Europe 2026-2027 work programme for advanced materials, as well as the IAM-I partnership.

Rather than dealing with funding in abstract terms, the sessions focused on practical aspects: how calls influence policy priorities, how different instruments complement each other, and how early-stage researchers can leverage their scientific networks and strategically position themselves in consortia or as future coordinators.

The highlight of the day was the matchmaking session, designed as a structured but informal space for exchange between colleagues. Through a series of rotating discussion rounds, participants presented their research profiles, explored complementarities, and identified concrete opportunities for future collaboration. The session demonstrated the value of facilitated networking, translating policy and funding information into concrete project ideas and potential partnerships across countries and disciplines.

Day 3: Institutional visit to Ghent University

The last day of the study visit was devoted to an institutional visit to Ghent University, which offered participants a detailed insight into how a leading European research university organizes and supports research (including advanced materials research). The program included meetings with central research support services, which highlighted models of research coordination, proposal support, and project management within the Horizon Europe program.

Participants also visited advanced materials laboratories at the Department of Chemistry, where they met directly with host researchers and gained an overview of ongoing work in catalysis, functional materials, and structural characterization. These visits complemented the discussions on policy and funding in Brussels by anchoring them in specific research environments and infrastructures.

Looking ahead

The EMERGE-EU study visit confirmed the strong interest of early-career researchers in combining scientific excellence with strategic engagement at the European level. By linking political dialogue, funding opportunities, professional advocacy, and institutional practice, the visit provided a comprehensive view of how advanced materials research can thrive within the European ecosystem. Equally important, it laid the foundations for new professional contacts and future collaborations that will last much longer than the three days in Brussels and Ghent.

This was the first time that the SLORD office had organized such an international study visit aimed directly at young researchers. It was a completely new experience—both in terms of the target group and the international format—which complemented our previous activities aimed mainly at research managers.

The study visit highlighted the important role played by liaison offices based in Brussels, whose proximity to EU institutions and transnational networks enables them to effectively strengthen the capacities of researchers while offering internationally oriented, policy-oriented networking opportunities, as demonstrated by the cooperation between the SLORD office and liaison offices (BLOR – Bulgarian Liaison Office for Research and Innovation; Leibniz Association – Europe Office, PolSCA – Polish Science Contact Agency of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and UKRI – UK Research and Innovation) and local partner organizations (e.g., Ghent University, Belgium).