Cluster Event on 29 September 2026: Talent Ecosystems: Building Sustainable Research Careers

Inside the EU Talent Ecosystem Projects

The CROSS project will participate in the upcoming European Research Executive Agency (REA) cluster event, “Talent Ecosystems: Building Sustainable Research Careers”, taking place on 29 September 2026 in Brussels and online.

The event will bring together ten EU-funded Talent Ecosystem projects that are working to strengthen research careers, skills development, and researcher mobility across the European Research Area (ERA). As a platform for collaboration and policy dialogue, it offers an opportunity to showcase progress, exchange good practices, and contribute to shaping the future of research careers in Europe.

A shared vision for sustainable research careers

The cluster event marks an important milestone in Horizon Europe’s efforts to strengthen Europe’s research and innovation systems. By connecting projects with policymakers, research organisations, universities, industry representatives, and other stakeholders, the event aims to foster a coordinated approach to creating more attractive and sustainable career pathways for researchers.

Talent ecosystems are designed as interconnected networks that link academia, industry, public institutions, and other employers. Their goal is to improve researchers’ employability, support career development, and enhance working conditions while addressing skills needs across the European labour market. Particular attention is given to supporting early-career researchers and enabling smoother transitions between sectors.

Within this collaborative framework, CROSS contributes to the development of integrated career management services for researchers. The project focuses on strengthening key aspects of career support through the development of competence self-assessment tool, structured pathways for transversal skills development, mentoring and coaching frameworks, and enhanced career guidance services. By bringing these elements together, CROSS helps researchers better understand their strengths, identify opportunities for professional growth, and navigate increasingly diverse and dynamic career pathways both within and beyond academia.

During the event, the Talent Ecosystem projects will present the achievements and lessons learned from their first year of implementation and provide structured feedback to policymakers. Their collective insights will help inform future policy initiatives and funding opportunities under Horizon Europe.

By actively contributing to this collaborative effort, CROSS reaffirms its commitment to building more structured, inclusive, and sustainable career pathways for researchers across Europe, supporting a stronger and more resilient research ecosystem for the future.