On 23 September at 13.00, the international conference “5th Teaming Club Conference 2026” will open at the Riga Technical University (RTU) auditorium centre “Domus Auditorialis”, 8 Zunda krastmala, bringing together leaders of European Centres of Excellence in science, universities and research organisations, entrepreneurs and other participants in the innovation ecosystem to discuss the future of European research and innovation.
This is the first time such an event is being organised in Latvia, demonstrating the development of the country’s research and innovation ecosystem and its growing international role. The conference will take place until 25 September, serving as a platform for cooperation between European Centres of Excellence, the exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as the development of new partnerships. It will bring together representatives from nearly 50 Centres of Excellence whose activities have been developed within the “Teaming for Excellence” initiatives of the European Union (EU) research and innovation programmes “Horizon 2020” and “Horizon Europe”.
“‘Teaming Club Conference’ is an important platform that promotes the strengthening and expansion of research and innovation excellence by bringing together representatives of all five ‘Teaming’ generations – from first-generation centres whose ‘Horizon Europe’ funding has already ended to fifth-generation projects that will begin in early 2027. It provides an invaluable opportunity for the exchange of experience, practical advice and mutual support – each project has faced its own challenges, and others can also learn from proven approaches to addressing them. Over the past five years, ‘Teaming’ projects have built a closely connected community that cooperates and supports one another beyond the annual conferences as well. I am especially pleased that this year we can host this community in Latvia,” says Jānis Ločs, Professor at the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology of Riga Technical University and Project Manager of the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence (BBCE).
BBCE is a Centre of Excellence unique in the Baltic region for the research and development of new biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedics and other fields. It was established with funding from the EU programme “Horizon 2020”, the state, the ERDF and partners. The conference will also be attended by a number of other Centres of Excellence in the fields of medical innovations and technologies, innovative materials, quantum and digital technologies, space, smart energy, geospatial data and technologies, wood, smart cities and other areas.
“Today, we are highlighting the outstanding achievements made by the Centres of Excellence supported under the EU programme ‘Horizon Europe’ initiative ‘Teaming for Excellence’ in the European widening countries. The aim is to uncover excellence wherever it exists in Europe. This means ensuring that talent is developed across all EU Member States and associated countries and that no region is left behind. Through the ‘Teaming for Excellence’ programme, the EU helps establish and expand Centres of Excellence that combine top-level research with local ambitions, talent and potential. The results speak for themselves: stronger institutions, enhanced international cooperation and growing innovation ecosystems in regions where this support can make a real difference. Moreover, these centres are much more than simply research centres. They are powerful examples of how strategic investments in excellence can transform the regional innovation environment, strengthen scientific capacity and create lasting impact across Europe,” emphasises Minna Wilkki, Head of the Future Society Unit at the European Research Executive Agency.
At the conference, she, European Commission research and technological development policy officer Francesca Cervelli, Member of the European Parliament Ivars Ījabs and other experts will share their views on the future of European research and innovation, including the opportunities and challenges of “Horizon Europe” for the 2028–2034 period, while RTU Development Fund Executive Director Anita Straujuma and Vice-Rector for Innovation Liene Briede will share Latvia’s experience of industry partnerships and the role of the innovation ecosystem in growth. There will also be expert presentations and discussions on research excellence, innovation, industry partnerships, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, biotechnology, digital technologies and other current fields. The conference will also place a strong emphasis on international networking activities and the development of new cooperation opportunities; therefore, meetings will take place both among representatives of Centres of Excellence and between entrepreneurs and research organisations and potential European cooperation partners in order to develop joint research and development projects and “Horizon Europe” project applications, develop new technologies and expand the international cooperation network.
The conference is organised by RTU and BBCE, with support from the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the Ministry of Education and Science. It is supported by the European Union’s research and innovation programme “Horizon 2020” under Grant Agreement No. 857287.
