EU-LIFE Community Meeting 2026 is held in Amsterdam
From 27 to 29 May 2026, the EU-LIFE Community Meeting brought together directors, main representatives and working group members from across the alliance at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam. Every year, this gathering offers the opportunity to connect across institutes, roles and areas of expertise. Throughout the meeting, participants engage in open and constructive discussions in a setting that fosters trust and collaboration.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Thijn Brummelkamp, Scientific Director of NKI, followed by contributions from Marta Miączyńska, Chair of EU-LIFE, and Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE, who highlighted recent developments across the alliance and set the scene for the discussions ahead.
“Hosting the EU-LIFE Community Meeting at the Netherlands Cancer Institute was a great pleasure. EU-LIFE brings together institutes that share a deep commitment to excellent science, open exchange and responsible research environments. Meetings like these are invaluable: they allow us to learn from each other, strengthen our collective voice in Europe and create the conditions in which outstanding researchers can do their best work,” said Thijn Brummelkamp, Scientific Director of NKI and host of the EU-LIFE Community Meeting 2026.
All EU-LIFE working groups had the opportunity to share experiences and perspectives, compare approaches across institutes, and identify opportunities for further collaboration. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including fostering inclusive research environments, strengthening the virtuous cycle between excellent research, innovation and societal impact, and exploring how artificial intelligence can support activities across institutes, from technology transfer and human resources to scientific training and research support. Participants also explored funding opportunities for collaboration in Horizon Europe. These exchanges will inform EU-LIFE’s activities and contribute to coordinated action at both institutional and European level in the coming months.
"The EU-LIFE Community Meeting is the highlight of our work throughout the year — the moment when months of online exchange finally translate into real, in-person connections and shared decisions. This year, we made important progress on the future development of our alliance, including its expansion, while also aligning our perspectives on major policy discussions that will shape European research in the coming years. These conversations strengthen both our member institutes and our ability to contribute constructively to Europe's research and innovation agenda. Meeting face to face reminds us why our community matters," said Marta Miączyńska, Chair of EU-LIFE and Director of IIMCB.
EU-LIFE warmly thanks NKI for hosting this Community Meeting and for their excellent organisation and hospitality. We leave Amsterdam with renewed energy, strengthened connections and a shared commitment to advancing excellent research together.
Looking forward to the EU-LIFE Community Meeting 2027 in Berlin!
