Over two days, policymakers, research professionals, and stakeholder networks will explore how Europe can create sustainable, excellent, and open career pathways for all researchers. The Conference on Research Careers 2025 on 11-12 December 2025 is the main focus this year – because supporting the people behind that research is more important than ever.
Participants will discuss policies and initiatives that strengthen research careers, explore ways to attract and retain research talent and share best practices for supporting researchers across Europe.
This discussion builds directly on the Conference on Freedom of Scientific Research, held on 10 December in partnership with UNESCO. That event examined the pressures researchers face—from personal threats to misinformation, surveillance, and AI. By starting with the challenges to scientific freedom, the programme provides a full picture: the conditions that allow research to thrive, followed by the careers that let talent grow and remain in Europe.
The conference is primarily accessible to online visitors; there is a waiting list for onsite attendance. Registration is required. The only exception is the final day of the Research Careers Conference, which includes closed-door sessions for invited stakeholders to engage in focused discussions (see the overview).
