Events

Conference on Research Careers 2025 and Conference on Freedom of Scientific Research
DEC
Wed
10
DEC
Thu
11
DEC
Fri
12

Starts in 2 days ago

Location

Onsite in Brussels and online

The Hotel Brussels
Waterloolaan/Bd de Waterloo 38
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Programmes
MSCA Enhancing EU R&I

As part of the wider aims of Choose Europe for Science, which focuses on attracting and retaining research talent, research is at the centre of Europe’s ability to innovate, compete, and respond to global challenges. As the European Research Area (ERA) continues to evolve, strengthening research careers has never been more critical.

The Conference on Research Careers 2025 will explore how Europe can build a more sustainable, excellent and free environment for all researchers. This year’s conference will bring together policymakers, research professionals and stakeholder networks to discuss how policies and initiatives can shape the future of research careers in Europe and beyond.

Closely linked to this event, the Conference on Freedom of Scientific Research, co-organised with UNESCO, will look at how research is carried out under growing undue pressures. The day moves from personal accounts of scientists who have faced threats, through fresh evidence on current trends, to a look at how misinformation, surveillance and AI shape everyday work in labs and universities. Speakers will present new findings and discuss ideas for forthcoming EU law, followed by a practical exchange on approaches that already work across Europe.

Together, the two conferences provide the forum for a conversation aimed to strengthen Europe’s research landscape and reinforce Europe’s ability to attract and keep talent through strong careers and protected scientific freedom.

Registration and attendance

Both conferences will be open to participants attending in person or joining online. The only exception will be the closed-door sessions on the final day of the Research Careers Conference, reserved for focused discussions among invited stakeholders. Please note that onsite participation is guaranteed until maximum capacity of the venue.

  • 10 December 2025 Conference on the Freedom of Scientific Research - WAITING LIST for onsite participation
  • 11 December 2025 Conference on Research Careers 2025 - WAITING LIST for onsite participation
  • 12 December 2025 HR Excellence in Research Info Day and closed parallel sessions - WAITING LIST for onsite participation

Registration for onsite and online participation is required. Registration deadlines:

  • onsite participation: 16 November 2025 at 23:59 CET
  • online participation: 7 December 2025 at 23:59 CET

All information related to the two conferences (including a programme) can be found in the announcement on the European Commission research and innovation community platform.

Conference on Research Careers background

Since its launch in 2023, the Conference on Research Careers has become an established platform to address career stability, mobility, working and employment conditions, and research management within the European Research Area. The 2024 conference reinforced these themes with a stronger focus on employability and cross-sector mobility. This year’s conference builds on these strong foundations and will also cover closely interlinked topics such as freedom of scientific research.

myOverview - sign up for personalised information

We offer news and event updates, covering all domains and topics of Horizon Europe, Digital Europe & EDF (and occasionally, for ongoing projects, Horizon 2020).

Stay informed about what matters to you. By signing up, you can opt in for e-mail notifications and get access to a personalised dashboard that groups all news updates and event announcements in your domain(s).

Only for stakeholders located in Flanders

Event calendar

 

Testimonial

image of Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship is, as the name suggests, an acronym for autonomous ship. Just like with self-driving cars, the possibilities of an unmanned boat seem endless. It can create more efficient freight transport, around the clock deliveries and these are just a few of the examples. The project has two societal challenges.

At first, De Vlaamse Waterweg was a bit hesitant as their experience with FP7 or Horizon 2020 projects was limited and they had not been very successful up until then. The fact that they were already doing basic research on the topic of autonomous boats, and the administrative help of NCP FLanders helped De Vlaamse waterweg to cross the line and get involved.