Dear CG Members,
We are pleased to share, below and in attachment, an announcement from the European Commission’s DG RTD which we kindly invite you to disseminate among your students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows and young researchers from all disciplines, but also more broadly (see point 2 under “How can you engage”):
The European Commission has recently launched EU TalentOn 2026, a flagship initiative that we believe will be of interest to many universities across Europe, and the Coimbra Group is the perfect ally to help us reach a wide and diverse audience!
EU TalentOn is a five-day European scientific competition bringing together early-career researchers (aged 21-35) from across Europe. Selected finalists will collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions addressing key challenges under the five EU Missions of Horizon Europe:
- Adaptation to Climate Change
- Cancer Prevention and Care
- Restore our Ocean and Water
- Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
- A Soil Deal for Europe
The event will take place 7-11 September 2026 in Brest, France. Participants will benefit from an intensive programme including coaching, workshops and networking activities. Travel, accommodation and meals will be fully covered, and a total of €80,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a €12,000 Grand Jury Prize.
Application deadline: 30 April 2026.
For more information, please visit: https://www.eutalentonbrest2026.eu and follow EU TalentOn’s social media profiles on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Why this matters for European universities
EU TalentOn is more than a competition. It connects some of the brightest minds in Europe, providing a unique platform for exchange of best practices and knowledge creation. It also provides an often-missing bridge between Europe’s research talent and its innovation ecosystem, giving early-career researchers the opportunity to bring their ideas out of the laboratory and into the market.
How can you engage
1. Share the opportunity:
Disseminate this call and encourage eligible early-career researchers aged 21-35 to apply.
2. Contribute expertise:
Identify colleagues – researchers, professors, doctoral candidates, members of university leadership (such as rectors and vice-rectors), or academic innovation experts – who may be interested in serving as coaches, mentors or jury members.
3. Amplify visibility:
Promote EU TalentOn 2026 through your communication channels (newsletters, websites, social media, events). A press kit with PR, images and graphic elements is available here for your convenience. Your communications teams can reach out to Maria Mecenero, policy officer for research careers at DG RTD, to coordinate outreach efforts.
4. Explore deeper involvement:
Should your institution wish to take a more active role or explore sponsorship/partnership opportunities, please contact the event organisers.