Representatives of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, took part in the JRC National Contact Points Annual Meeting
The 2026 edition of the JRC National Contact Points Annual Meeting took place on April 20-22. This three-day event brought together NCPs from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries for an in-person meeting dedicated to strengthening collaboration, exchanging knowledge, and aligning priorities for the year ahead. Liudmyla Lisova, a Leading Officer of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, who is also the NCP for this area, represented Ukraine at the event.
The event’s programme focused on two key strategic priorities for the EU: artificial intelligence and the energy transition. Presentations from several JRC portfolios including AI & Data, Energy Solutions, Climate Neutrality, and Small Modular Reactors, provided participants with valuable insights into the JRC’s scientific activities and their contribution to EU policy.
A highlight of the first day was the “networking coffee – meet your scientist” session, which enabled direct and informal exchanges between NCPs and JRC experts. Through a series of bilateral meetings, participants had the opportunity to connect with researchers, including those from their own countries, fostering meaningful dialogue and potential future collaboration.
The second day of the meeting was dedicated to guided visits of the Petten laboratories. Participants had an excellent opportunity to learn a hands-on perspective of the JRC’s cutting-edge research infrastructure. The tour included the Battery Testing Laboratory, the Electrolyser Testing Facility, the Smart Grid Interoperability Lab, and the European Nuclear Laboratories AMALIA and LILLA, showcasing the breadth of JRC expertise in energy and related fields.
In addition to NCPs, this year’s meeting was also attended by numerous JRC representatives: around 50 specialists participated as speakers, presenters and experts, which facilitated lively discussions and a deeper exploration of the meeting’s key topics. Overall, the 2026 NCP Annual Meeting provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing the role of NCPs as key partners in promoting and amplifying the impact of JRC science across Europe and beyond.
