Following the success of EMERGE-EU Study Visit: Building European Connections in Advanced Materials in January 2025, UK Research and Innovation, the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD), Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA), the Leibniz Association, Bulgarian Liaison Office for Research and Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO) would like to invite you to express your interest to participate in EMERGE-EU: AI in Health Networking visit for emerging researchers on 15-17 June 2026 in Brussels.
The main aim of the visit is to enhance the ability of emerging researchers in AI and health domains to navigate the European research and innovation landscape, widen their professional network and to strengthen their engagement with key EU-level stakeholders. The target group consists of early-career scientists (R2–early R3) from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.
Over the course of a three-day study visit, participants will learn about major EU funding instruments and opportunities for researchers, as well as effective ways to build networks and collaborative projects. The programme includes presentations from the European Commission, COST Association, ERC Executive Agency, and national contact points, offering practical insights into advancing scientific careers and developing successful research proposals. A dedicated institutional visit to one of the Brussels universities´ laboratories will be part of the programme as well as an opportunity to attend one of the flagship events of the European research support community.
Who are we looking for?
- Emerging researchers at R2 or early R3 level
- Focusing their research on applied AI or health-related topics
- With interest in international research collaboration
Cluster 1 calls with AI Dimension
- HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-DISEASE-01-two-stage: Innovative healthcare interventions for non-communicable diseases
- HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-CARE-02: Personalised approaches to reduce risks from Adverse Drug Reactions due to administration of multiple medications
- HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-08: Towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for healthcare
To express your interest complete this form by 1 May 2026.
Please note that the link to registration has now been fixed. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Draft programme (subject to change)
| Friday 12 June | Online Session |
| 11:00-12:00 | Making the most of brokering events by Perry Guess – Horizon Europe UK National Contact Point (Cross-Cutting), Innovate UK |
| Monday 15 June | Venue: Bulgarian Permanent Representation to the EU, Sq. Marie-Louise 49 |
| 12:00-12:15 | Introduction and presentation of the programme |
| 12:15-13:00 | Welcome Lunch |
| 13:00-14:00 | Smaller group pitch session |
| 14:30-15:00 | Coffee Break |
| 15:00-16:00 | Thematic policy session: EU policies for AI in Health
Saila RINNE, Head of Unit for AI in Health – DG CONNECT (TBC) |
| 16:00-17:00 | Strategy for Life Sciences
Tomasz DYLAG, Head of Sector for Health industry at Unit for Health Innovations & Ecosystems – DG RTD |
| 19:00 | Dinner and evening networking |
| Tuesday 16 June | Venue: NCBR, Rue Belliard 40 |
| 09:00-10:15 | Opportunities of ERC and an exchange on how to write a successful proposal with an evaluator |
| 10:15-10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45-11:45 | Unlocking EIC Pathfinder for Emerging Researchers
Federica ZANCA, EIC Programme Manager for MedTech and AI in healthcare (TBC) |
| 11:45-12:30 | COST opportunities
Bart VEYS, Head of the Policy Unit, COST (TBC) |
| 12:30-14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00-14:45 | Upcoming opportunities under Horizon Europe Work Programme 2027 |
| 14:45-15:30 | Partnership presentation (chosen based on the most common interest) |
| 15:30-16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 16:00-18:00 | Free Matchmaking session among participants |
| 18:00-18:15 | Feedback session |
| 18:00 | Brussels City tour |
| Wednesday 17 June | |
| 10:00-13:00 | Site Visit |
| 15:00-18:00 | IGLO Summer Reception (optional) |
Final selection of participants will be made by the organising office based on the overlapping common interest between researchers from all the participating countries as well as equal distribution of participants between health and AI research domains. In case of your selection, although event attendance is free, you will be liable to cover travel and accommodation costs.