Gothenburg Event

Universities Canada’s research collaboration event

On the margins of the 2025 European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference (September 9-12, 2025), this event will bring together Canadian and European research leaders and administrators to deepen partnerships and explore new avenues for collaboration. 

Taking place on September 8, 2025, the program will feature high-level discussions on the evolving role of higher education in a shifting geopolitical landscape, as well as Canada’s positioning within Horizon Europe and its upcoming successor framework. 

Participants will engage in timely conversations with institutional, governmental and sector leaders from across Europe and Canada, with a focus on sustaining scientific excellence and maximizing opportunities under Horizon Europe. A networking reception will follow, offering space for informal exchange and connection-building. 

This event is an opportunity to strengthen your institution’s international research networks, identify collaborative opportunities and help shape Canada’s impact as an associate partner in the Horizon Europe framework. 

Program

September 8, 2025

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Welcome

Refreshments and opening remarks by Universities Canada

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Session I – Strengthening global partnerships for scientific excellence: The value of associated countries for Horizon Europe FP10 

As Horizon Europe prepares for its next phase, this session highlights the vital role of associated countries in advancing scientific excellence and innovation. This panel discussion will explore the strategic value that associated countries bring to the EU’s research and innovation agenda — expanding scientific excellence, fostering innovation, and addressing global challenges through inclusive, cross-border cooperation.

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Coffee Break

3:15 – 4:45 p.m.
Session II – The role of Horizon Europe in an era of rapid political shifts (fireside chat with Q& A) 

As political landscapes shift rapidly; research networks face growing challenges — from polarization and censorship to funding strains and geopolitical tensions. This fireside chat brings together leading voices from across the research and policy spectrum to explore how networks of scholars, institutions, and practitioners can adapt and remain resilient and impactful in uncertain times.  

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Networking reception