This is a hybrid event taking place in Brussels (Belgium) and online
Talent ecosystems are integrated networks of training providers and employers of researchers (academia, non-academic sectors, and businesses) from across the European Research Area (ERA).
The cluster event will showcase 10 Talent Ecosystem projects funded under Horizon Europe’s ‘Reforming and enhancing the research & innovation system’ 2024 call. At the time of the event, the projects will have completed about one year of activities.
What to expect from the event?
The event will collect first inputs and recommendations from the projects for policy purposes and enable sharing experiences and practices regarding research careers development paths, training, management of R&I career profiles, to address European labour market needs.
The discussions will be useful to inform future steps for the ERA Structural policy on strengthening research careers, as well as provide information to future applicants in view of the 2027 ERA call for proposals (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-02).
Who should attend?
We invite stakeholders of the ERA Structural Policy on strengthening research careers, i.e. researchers, research organisations from private and public sector, and policy makers, such as the ERA Forum to join the discussions.
The event is organised by the European Research Executive Agency (REA), in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), and the 10 Talent Ecosystems projects.
- research policy | knowledge economy | scientific cooperation
- Tuesday 29 September 2026, 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
Practical information
- When
- Tuesday 29 September 2026, 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
- Where
- Albert Borschette conference centreRue Froissart 36, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English
Description
AGENDA
OPENING SESSION
09:00–09:15 I Opening and welcome
Introduction to the event’s objectives
- Minna Wilkki, Head of Department, Future Society, REA
- Magda de Carli, Head of Unit, ERA, Spreading Excellence & Research Careers, DG RTD
09:15–09:20 I Icebreaker
The ‘Talent Ecosystem’ concept and its anticipated transformational impact
- By the projects, directed by Damir Haskovic, NextTechTalents
09:20–09:50 I From policy intention to portfolio expectations
Strategic orientation and future outlook of the ERA Structural Policy on Research Careers, and perspectives from an established ‘talent ecosystem’
- Dario Capezzuto, Policy Officer, ERA, Spreading Excellence & Research Careers, DG RTD
- Luisa Henriques, R&I Policy Analyst, co-chair of the ERA Structural Policy on Research Careers
- Bert Pluymers, Business Developer Flanders Make, KU Leuven Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics
SESSION 1 – Showcasing Project Progress and Synergies
09:50–11:10 I Talent Ecosystem activation – state of play (by the projects)
Sharing first results and insights after one year of implementation
- Danijela Ciric Lalic, SmartResearchers
- Monse Daban, BREATH
- Camelia Lemnaru, ECROS
- Cornelia van Scherpenberg, SECURE2
11:10–11:30 I Coffee break
SESSION 2 – Collecting & Providing Policy Inputs
11:30–13:00 I First feedback to policy (by the projects)
Structured feedback to policy makers on strengthening research careers
- Harilaos Koumaras, DeepTechSeeds
- Elisa Boer, ARCOE
- Matteo Falsetta, INSIGHT
- Danijela Ciric Lalic, SmartResearchers
Responses by:
- Stefanos Plastras, Early Career Researcher in SNS-JU UNITY-6G Project
- Christina Skoubridou, Director of the EU Innovation Department, ENVOLVE
- Emmanuelle Gardan, Coimbra Group Office Director, co-chair of the ERA Structural Policy on Research Careers
13:00–14:30 I Lunch break
SESSION 3 – Increasing Impact of Future Grants
14:30–15:30 I Informing the next generation of Talent Ecosystems (by the projects)
Inspiring future Talent Ecosystems and increasing the portfolio impact
- Pavel Matjeka, CROSS
- Tamer Bego, AttractAdria
With intermezzos from other research careers policy supporting projects:
- Jose Villagran, RESKILLSPAN
- Danijela Ciric Lalic, ERA-CAREERS
- Mili Markvartova, CareerEnhance
CONCLUSION SESSION
15:30–15:50 I Portfolio Policy Synthesis (by external experts)
Structured observations from the event and recommendations
- The event’s moderator: Gareth O’Neill, Principal Consultant, Technopolis Group
- The event’s rapporteur: Jürgen Janger, Senior Economist, Austrian Institute of Economic Research
15:50–16:00 I Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
- Sari Vartiainen-Mathieu, Head of Unit, Reforming European R&I and Research Infrastructures, REA
CLOSING RECEPTION
16:00–17:30 I Networking cocktail (for participants attending on-site)
