From 1 July, EUROfusion will assume the presidency of EIROforum, a collective of Europe’s largest scientific research organisations. Over the coming year, EUROfusion will chair the forum and help steer discussions on key priorities shaping the future of science in Europe – from the next Multiannual Financial Framework and science in a complex geopolitical landscape, to cybersecurity, open science, AI, and inclusive research practices.
EIROforum in a nutshell
Founded in 2002, EIROforum is built on a simple idea: Europe’s leading research organisations share common challenges and achieve more when they work together. Its members include globally recognised institutions such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European Consortium on fusion (EUROfusion), European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (XFEL), the Institut Laue–Langevin (ILL) and the European Spallation Source (ESS). All of them are committed to advancing frontier research and maximising science’s positive impact on society.
“Research and innovation are central to a knowledge-based society, supporting sustainable development and addressing the major societal challenges facing European citizens,” said Gianfranco Federici, EUROfusion Programme Manager and Chair of the EIROforum DG Assembly.
Through a series of thematic working groups – spanning environmental sustainability, information technology, international relations, communication, and diversity and inclusion – EIROforum fosters collaboration on both scientific excellence and societal engagement. Some groups focus on strengthening internal practices, while others ensure that scientific advances translate into tangible benefits for European citizens.
Beyond the lab bench
A key strength of EIROforum lies in its ability to extend scientific impact beyond research environments. Its Technology Transfer Working Group plays a central role in identifying how innovations developed in large-scale research infrastructures can be applied in other sectors. Breakthroughs in areas such as magnets and laser technologies as well as advanced materials often find unexpected applications in medicine, industry and everyday life.
EIROforum also supports outreach and education through initiatives like Science in School, a non-profit journal hosted by CERN. Supported by the forum, it reaches thousands of educators across Europe, helping connect classrooms with cutting-edge science and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
Where EUROfusion fits in
The presidency rotates annually among members, and EUROfusion takes over from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).
“It is an honour for EUROfusion to take on the Presidency of EIROforum,” said Gianfranco. “We look forward to strengthening collaboration across Europe’s research infrastructures and reinforcing their essential role in driving innovation and addressing global challenges.”
During its presidency, EUROfusion will also contribute to several working groups, including taking leadership roles in selected areas such as communication and diversity and inclusion, further reinforcing its commitment to openness, collaboration and societal relevance.
A year of strategic dialogue
EUROfusion’s presidency will be marked by two flagship DG Assembly meetings. The first will take place in January at the ITER site in Cadarache, France – a major international fusion experiment currently under construction. Hosting EIROforum representatives at ITER will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the most ambitious scientific projects of our time.
A second meeting will follow in May in Brussels, offering a platform to connect discussions within EIROforum to broader European policy and funding priorities.
Among the key topics on the agenda is the growing role of artificial intelligence in science and engineering. AI is already transforming research practices across disciplines, and further breakthroughs are expected in the coming years. Under EUROfusion’s leadership, EIROforum will continue to explore how such technologies can be harnessed responsibly and effectively across its member organisations.
Looking ahead
EUROfusion also aims to strengthen the impact of EIROforum’s working groups by making their outputs more structured, visible and actionable – ensuring that collaboration translates into concrete results.
For more than two decades, EIROforum has brought together leading scientific institutions to reflect on shared challenges and shape Europe’s research landscape. As it takes on the presidency, EUROfusion will build on this legacy, fostering dialogue, promoting innovation, and ensuring that science continues to deliver tangible benefits for society.