The EXPER Final Conference marks the culmination of the EXPER Project (Excellent Peripheries for a Strong European Research Area), a Horizon Europe initiative dedicated to strengthening research capacity and fostering innovation in Europe’s Outermost Regions. Held on March 10, 2025, at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, this full-day hybrid event will bring together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and policymaking to explore how research excellence, knowledge transfer, and strategic collaboration can drive sustainable development in widening regions.
The conference will reflect on the progress made through EXPER and outline concrete pathways for sustaining its impact beyond the project’s conclusion. Discussions will focus on how institutions in regions like the Canary Islands and the Azores can continue developing competitive research ecosystems, attracting talent, and fostering collaborations across Europe.
Why Join?
✅ Shape the future of research and innovation in Europe’s Widening regions.
✅ Gain insights into research excellence, knowledge transfer, and talent retention strategies.
✅ Engage in high-level discussions on the European Research Area (ERA), Horizon Europe’s WIDERA program, and international university alliances.
✅ Connect with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders working at the intersection of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
✅ Discover funding opportunities and best practices for institutional transformation and research career development.
What to Expect
- Opening & Keynote Session—Setting the stage with insights into the European Commission’s vision for research and innovation in widening regions.
– Thematic Sessions Based on Four Key Pillars:
- Research Excellence—Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and responsible research practices, with a focus on gender equality and societal impact.
- Knowledge Transfer—Exploring how research results can be translated into market applications, creating successful university-industry partnerships.
- Capacity Building—Addressing brain drain and showcasing talent development programs aimed at retaining top researchers in outermost regions.
- Human Resource Excellence & University Alliances—Discussing best practices in researcher career development, institutional transformation, and collaboration within European university networks.
- Engaging Round Tables—Bringing together experts from academia, industry, and policymaking to debate key challenges and opportunities in research and innovation.
- Networking & Collaboration Opportunities—Participants will have the chance to exchange ideas, initiate collaborations, and explore potential partnerships to extend the project’s legacy.
Presentation of the WiderAdvance Facility—Introducing a new EU-funded project to optimise research outputs within the Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (WIDERA) sector.
The EXPER Final Conference is more than just a closing event; it is an opportunity to co-create the next steps for strengthening research and innovation in Europe’s peripheries. Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, or innovation leader, this event offers valuable insights and practical tools to support your work in shaping the future of the European Research Area.
Join us in person or online and be part of the conversation!
Register here and check the full agenda here.