The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2025 will convene in Porto on March 6, 2025, at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP).

This year’s meeting will focus on aligning EU and national strategies for the sustainability, governance, and funding of Research and Technology Infrastructures (RTIs). This is a particularly special meeting because we are simultaneously contributing to important national and EU R&I policy and celebrating the 40th anniversary of INESC TEC.

The organization welcomes the participation and partnership of the national research and innovation funding agencies (FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia & ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação). The event will bring together key European and national policymakers, research and technology infrastructure managers, and funding agencies to discuss the evolving policy landscape and identify strategic investment models for RTIs.

A dedicated Needs Assessment Workshop in the afternoon will allow participants to validate key gaps and opportunities in the RTI landscape, ensuring that findings contribute directly to ongoing European policy discussions. The results of this workshop will be submitted to the European Commission to support future policy and funding decisions.

Agenda Overview (March 6, 2025, FEUP, Porto)

• 9:30 AM to 1 PM: A High-Level Open Session on Policy, Governance, and Funding for Research and Technology Infrastructures.
• 1 PM – 2:15 PM: Networking Lunch.
• 2:15 PM – 5:30 PM: Hands-On Needs Assessment Workshop where European RTIs and policymakers will analyze and validate critical gaps in the RTI ecosystem.

This high-level event provides a forum for European infrastructures to align on common challenges and opportunities, contribute to shaping future EU funding and policy directions, and strengthen the coordination between national and European strategies for infrastructure development.

Registration is OPEN until March 1, 2025. Secure your spot at the meeting by registering here before March 1.

This unique event will feature insights from special invitees, including:

• Ana Paiva, Secretary of State for Science;
• Madalena Alves, President of FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology;
• Ana Portugal Melo, Executive Director of MIRRI – Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure;
• Dominik Sobczak, Deputy Head of Unit at RTD., European Commission;
• Elena Hoffert, Vice-Chair of ESFRI – European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures;
• Sophie Viscido, Partner, Group lead EU R&I Policy at Technopolis;
• Bertrand Bouchet, Director of CEA EU Representation;
• Ricardo Simões, Director of the Innovation Unit at CCDRN – Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission.

Please visit the INESC Brussels HUB webpage for updates on the agenda, registration link, and other relevant information.

Date: March 6

Where:  Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Porto

Registration: here (deadline: March 1)