-
22
Dec2025Universities at the Heart of Europe’s Future: Reflections from the Danish EU Presidency
Professor Brian Bech Nielsen, Rector, Aarhus University It was a proud day for Aarhus University when, at the beginning of July, we hosted the official opening of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Led by Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission convened at Aarhus University for its first meeting under the […]
-
22
Dec2025Coimbra Group plays active role in the third EU Conference on Research Careers
The third EU Conference on Research Careers took place in Brussels on 18-19 December, marking an important milestone: 20 years of the European Charter for Researchers. Over two days, hundreds of research and innovation policy-makers and stakeholders gathered to exchange ideas, network and shape the future of research careers across the European Research Area (ERA). […]
-
16
Dec2025Coimbra Group and the Durham Declaration at COP30: Advancing University-Led Climate Action and Collaborative Research
The Coimbra Group strengthened its international engagement on climate action at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, through the launch of the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability and through Durham University’s convening of high-level discussions on ocean governance, climate law, and climate science. These activities underscored the growing role of universities as key actors in […]
-
15
Dec2025Join the European Doctoral Day initiative on 13 May 2026
We are pleased to announce the launch of the first European Doctoral Day and its official website. The inaugural edition will take place on 13 May 2026. The European Doctoral Day is a pan-European celebration of doctoral education and the impact of doctoral graduates. The initiative aims to inspire future researchers, raise awareness among employers, […]
-
12
Dec2025Coimbra Group calls the EU to address barriers to global talent
The Coimbra Group actively contributed to the European Commission’s Implementation Dialogue on Talent Attraction and Retention, hosted by Commissioner Magnus Brunner in Brussels on 11 December. Represented by its Brussels Office Director, Emmanuelle Gardan, the network called for a holistic approach to make Europe a more attractive destination for global talent. During the dialogue, the […]
-
01
Dec2025Shared vision, unified voice: universities and research institutes in Europe propose joint FP10 amendments
More than 900 universities and research institutes across Europe, organised under the Coimbra Group and six other leading European R&I networks, have submitted a joint package of amendments to the European Commission’s proposals for the upcoming EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) ahead of the EU27 Research Ministers’ meeting on 9 December. Our […]
-
28
Nov2025Reinventing campus democracy – about democracy, openness and trust
Professor Wilco Hazeleger, Rector, Utrecht University Only days ago, I contributed to Reinventing Campus Democracy, the seminar celebrating 40 years of partnership within the Coimbra Group. More than a milestone, it was a moment to reflect on the role of universities in today’s world full of internal and external pressures. As academic educators and researchers, […]
-
27
Nov2025Coimbra Group 40th Anniversary
A Week of Celebration, Recognition and Forward Vision Last week, the Coimbra Group community and its partners gathered in Brussels for a remarkable series of events marking 40 years of collaboration, innovation, academic excellence and shared European values. The anniversary programme honoured the individuals who created and shaped this network, celebrated meaningful partnerships, and sparked […]
-
26
Nov2025High-Level Seminar: Reinventing Campus Democracy
One of the highlights of the Coimbra Group’s 40th birthday celebrations was the High-Level Seminar, “Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions”, co-organised with Utrecht University and supported by ESU. With more than 100 participants, the seminar served as the final landmark event of the CG’s 40th anniversary year. It addressed one of the […]
-
25
Nov2025Coimbra Group and ESU: Strengthening a shared commitment to students
On 21 November 2025, during the Coimbra Group’s High-Level Seminar “Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions” in Brussels, the Coimbra Group (CG) and the European Students’ Union (ESU) formalised a new chapter in their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement was signed by Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group […]
-
12
Nov2025Reaffirming and strengthening Europe’s Universities as pillars of democratic resilience
The Coimbra Group welcomes today’s adoption by the European Commission of the European Democracy Shield, setting out a series of concrete measures to empower, protect, and promote strong and resilient democracies across the EU. First announced by President Ursula von der Leyen at the 2024 Copenhagen Democracy Summit, the Democracy Package aims to protect the EU from […]
-
11
Nov2025Conference on Research Careers 2025 and Conference on Freedom of Scientific Research
The third edition of the EU Conference on Research Careers will take place on 11-12 December 2025 in Brussels and online. Day one will focus on policy updates and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the European Charter (and Code) for Researchers. The full programme is available on the event page. Through plenary sessions and interactive […]
-
03
Nov2025Advancing sustainable research practices: Coimbra Group contributes to MSCA Green Charter revision
Over the past year, the Coimbra Group has actively contributed to updating the MSCA Green Charter and its guidance materials, collaborating with other stakeholders under the leadership of the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Unit. We are grateful to our two experts, Mario Müller (University of Graz) and Louise Hannon (University of Galway), members […]
-
31
Oct2025HR Excellence in research: A commitment to Europe’s scientific attractiveness
Professor Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier When the University of Montpellier became, in 2015, the first French institution to receive the HR Excellence in Research label, it marked more than a symbolic recognition. It was a pioneering step in aligning French academic practices with a European vision of research built on fairness, openness, and […]
-
30
Oct2025Programme now online: High-Level Seminar on “Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions”
The Coimbra Group and Utrecht are pleased to announce the draft programme for their joint High-Level Seminar, “Reinventing Campus Democracy: Bridging Divides and Advancing Solutions”, taking place on 21 November 2025 in Brussels, with the support of the European Students’ Union (ESU). This flagship event marks the conclusion of a year of celebrations for the […]
-
27
Oct2025Coimbra Group participates in launch of Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education in Hannover
The Coimbra Group joined 20 key higher education networks in Hannover for the launch of GICHE, a new global initiative promoting innovation and collaboration Executive Board Chair Ludovic Thilly represented the Coimbra Group at the inaugural Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education (GICHE) event in Hannover on 23-24 October 2025. GICHE is a recently established […]
-
24
Oct2025Contributing to the global dialogue on sustainable research for sustainable communities
From 21-23 October, the Coimbra Group actively contributed to the European Regional Meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC), held in Belgrade and co-hosted by Serbia and Hungary, with the support of Science Europe. Representing our network, Danny Donoghue, member of the Executive Board, joined a high-level panel alongside leaders from the Foundation for Polish […]
-
08
Oct2025Coimbra Group Statement on the European Commission’s Strategy for AI in Science
The Coimbra Group (CG) welcomes today’s launch by the European Commission of its Strategy for AI in Science, alongside the Apply AI Strategy. As highlighted in our June response to the call for evidence “European Strategy for AI in Science – paving the way for a European AI Research Council”, we are pleased to see […]
-
08
Oct2025Coimbra Group reaffirms strong support for the ERC at Copenhagen high-level event on frontier research
On 7 October Coimbra Group renewed its call to strengthen and protect the European Research Council (ERC) at the high-level event “Competitiveness through Frontier Research”, held in Copenhagen under Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, met with ERC President Maria Leptin, Vice-President Jesper Svejstrup, […]
-
07
Oct2025Countdown to Granada: Preparations underway for the 2026 Coimbra Group Annual Conference
The University of Granada (UGR) will welcome the 2026 Coimbra Group Annual Conference from 16 to 19 June 2026, as officially announced by Rector Pedro Mercado at the closing of this year’s Annual Conference at the University of Bologna. Preparations are already well underway. Earlier this week, key preparatory meetings were held in Granada between […]
©University of Bergen
