Day 3: Research & Innovation
Opening Vice-Rector Prof Ken Haenen (9:00-09:15)
Welcome by the Vice-rector of Research, Hasselt University, prof. dr. Ken Haenen.
Exploring the Flagship Initiatives (9:15-10:45)
Begin the day with an in-depth introduction to the EURECA-PRO’s flagships - multidisciplinary communities that bring together partners to address the alliance’s key strategic challenges.
Flagship leads will present a comprehensive overview of each initiative, outlining its thematic research pillars, integration within education, and contributions to innovation. The session will also highlight the teams and collaborations currently involved, the infrastructures and joint projects that support their work, and the forthcoming EU funding opportunities being targeted.
Flagship initiatives that will be presented:
- Circular Energy Production and Consumption - by Prof. dr. Wouter Schroeyers (Hasselt University)
- Hydrogen and Carbon - by Prof. dr. Bouchra Belaissaoui (Université de Lorraine)
- Sustainable Resources for a Just Transition - by Dorian Maillard (Université de Lorraine)
- Social Sciences and Humanities for Transitions by Dr. Emmanuelle Gurtner, Prof. Stéphane Guy (Université de Lorraine) and Dr. Karoline Gritzner (Technical University of Leoben)
- Sustainable Materials for Building - by Prof. dr. Marcin Górski (Silesian University of Technology)
Poster experience (11:15-12:15)
This is not an ordinary poster session. The EURECA-PRO poster experience offers a valuable opportunity to present your research or educational programmes, share your expertise and methods, and explore potential collaborations. Posters will be displayed according to EURECA-PRO flagship themes, allowing participants to easily connect with researchers and educators working on related topics.
Participants are invited to follow poster trajectories - curated sequences of posters - that guide them through the alliance’s key research areas, innovations in education, and collaborative projects. Presenters will remain at their posters to engage in dialogue, while visitors move along the trajectories to exchange ideas and identify new synergies. Among the highlights is a poster presentation on UHasselt’s international Master in Energy Engineering Technology (iMEET), showcasing how education and research are intertwined.
When registering, please indicate whether you plan to bring a poster so that sufficient display space can be reserved. Posters are recommended in A0 portrait format or any other size compatible with standard poster boards. Please note that printing will not be available on-site.
Flagship synergy session: from connections to collaboration (13:30-15:30)
In the afternoon, parallel Flagship synergy sessions will take place. These hands-on sessions aim to turn connections within (and beyond) the alliance into concrete steps for collaboration.
Each session will be led and facilitated by members of the Flagship core groups, who will guide discussions and ensure an outcome-oriented approach. The sessions will follow a practical, four-part structure:
- Connecting Research – Researchers will share their expertise and ongoing projects, identifying complementarities and exploring opportunities for joint initiatives, such as EU funding proposals, shared infrastructures, or co-supervised PhDs.
- Connecting Education – Participants are invited to present their educational programmes and discuss how curricula and teaching activities from different partners can be aligned or jointly developed.
- Third mission and Innovation – Participants will explore ways to collaborate with external partners, foster knowledge transfer, and develop impactful innovation initiatives.
- Roadmap and Next Steps – Each group will collaboratively develop a short action plan outlining concrete next steps and future directions for their flagship.
Participants from all EURECA-PRO partner universities, as well as external collaborators, are welcome to join. To make the discussions as productive as possible, partners are encouraged to prepare a brief presentation on their research groups, educational programmes, and collaboration interests.
These sessions offer a focused environment to get to know one another, connect research and educational efforts across institutions, and shape the future of each flagship.
Introduction to European research funding through Horizon Europe (13:30-15:30)
Focusing on the flagship initiatives Circular Energy Production and Consumption and Sustainable Materials for Building, this course equips researchers and research-support professionals with the essential foundations needed to navigate the European funding landscape.
Designed for principal investigators, early- and senior-career researchers, postdocs, PhD candidates, and staff involved in EU funding support, the session offers a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of EU funding. You’ll learn where to find relevant calls, how to access and interpret key information, and how to take your first strategic steps in developing a competitive proposal.
The course begins with the basics: identifying suitable funding opportunities, understanding the required documentation, and approaching proposal writing effectively. It also covers best practices for building strong consortia, with a special focus on locating complementary partners beyond the EURECA-PRO network.
By the end of the session, you will have a solid understanding of EU funding mechanisms and a clear sense of the ideal timeline for preparing successful applications.