Convergence towards the EOSC Federation:
Encouraging collaborative efforts among stakeholders
The first EOSC Winter School, which took place in Thessaloniki in January 2024, was launched by the EOSC Association as an initiative to respond to the increasing need for collaboration between Horizon Europe (HE) EOSC-related projects.
This first event laid the foundation for deeper technical understanding and effective engagement in different “opportunity areas”. Out of this collaborative dynamic, seven Opportunity Area (OA) Expert Groups have emerged, each focused on advancing specific facets of the EOSC ecosystem.
The EOSC Winter School 2025, which will take place 20-23 January 2025 in Seville, Spain, builds on this foundation. Organised by the EOSC Association, with the support of the EOSC Focus project and the HE EOSC-related projects, this year’s event will focus on achieving convergence and supporting the build-up phase of the EOSC Federation. It will serve as a powerful platform for harmonising efforts and strengthening collaboration between key stakeholders from across the EOSC community.
Who?
Participants will include representatives from the EOSC-A Board, EOSC-A Secretariat, European Commission, HE EOSC-related projects, Opportunity Area Expert Groups, and the EOSC-A Task Forces. This diverse group brings unique perspectives to promote synergies across EOSC’s broad stakeholder landscape.
Where?
The meeting will be held at Meliá Lebreros in Seville, Spain.
Questions?
Please reach out to the EOSC Secretariat at secretariat@eosc.eu.
The organising principle for the 2025 EOSC Winter School will be the four Strategic Pillars that group the priorities listed in the EOSC Multi-Annual Roadmap (MAR) for the years 2026 and 2027. The MAR 2026-2027 forms Section 8.1-8.4 of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA 1.3).
The four Strategic Pillars are:
- Sustaining and enhancing the EOSC Federation
- Contributing to the web of FAIR data and the uptake of AI
- Ensuring research security and sovereignty
- Linking with other Common European Data Spaces and beyond
Priorities are assigned at three different implementation levels within each Strategic Pillar: European, national, and institutional.
The format of the Winter School is designed to ensure that the groundwork laid by the EOSC Opportunity Area Expert Groups and the EOSC-A Task Forces is aligned with the long-term vision for EOSC.
The Winter School will also revisit the medium- and long-term objectives set during the 2024 event, which aim to ensure the impact of HE EOSC-related project outcomes on EOSC and the EOSC Federation.
This year’s programme is structured around the four Strategic Pillars (SP) enumerated in the EOSC Winter School 2025 objectives.
Each of the thematic sessions will focus on how the EOSC Opportunity Area Expert Groups (OAEG) and the EOSC-A Task Forces (TF) plan to support and contribute to the objectives of each pillar.
Sessions
The OAEGs and TFs collaborate to develop the Winter School’s topical sessions presented below.
Through interactive sessions, collaborative exercises, and strategic discussions, participants will build new insights and reaffirm their shared commitment to building the EOSC Federation.
A maximum of 150 seats are available for the event. Given the high demand for attendance and the importance of ensuring balanced representation from all relevant stakeholder groups, a two-stage registration process has been implemented:
1) Pre-registration (expression of interest)
- Pre-registration is non-binding and does not guarantee a seat at the Winter School.
- Pre-registration closed on 09 December 2024 (23:59 CET).
2) Main registration
- Registration will be open exclusively to invited participants, who will be required to confirm their financial commitment to attend. A link to the registration form will be sent to them by email.
- In the case of over-subscription, the EOSC-A Board will make the final decision on invited participants, prioritising a balanced representation of stakeholders.
- Deadline for registration and payment of travel package: 07 January 2025 (23:59 CET).
- If invited participants do not complete their registration and payment by the deadline, their spot will be offered to prospective participants from the waiting list. Therefore, it is highly recommended to register as soon as possible in order to accommodate any delays in the processing or approval required by participants’ home institution.
Financial considerations
The cost of the travel package for the Winter School is EUR 859 (excluding VAT) per person.
The travel package covers:
- The 3-night stay (from Monday, 20 January, to Thursday, 23 January 2025) at the event hotel, Meliá Lebreros. It is not possible to purchase a travel package with fewer than 3 nights.
- Admission to the EOSC Winter School 2025, including access to all sessions, lunches and coffee breaks on 21-23 January 2025; all related meeting materials; the drinks reception on 20 January; and the dinner reception on 21 January.
Important information:
- The package does not cover travel expenses and extras. All prices are VAT-exclusive.
- Registration will only be considered complete once payment has been received and successfully processed. Participants can only make their payment via bank transfer. An invoice will be sent to participants within a few business days of their registration from the address, invoices@eosc.eu.
- Participants who wish to extend their stay by checking in before Monday, 20 January 2025, or checking out after Thursday, 23 January 2025, will need to arrange a separate booking directly with the hotel. To make additional reservations, please contact the hotel directly, via email, at: reservas.melia.lebreros@melia.com, or by phone at: +34 954 58 22 20. Participants will be eligible for the EOSC preferential rate from 2 days before the event through 2 days following the event, subject to the availability of the hotel.
EOSC-A is the official organiser of the EOSC Winter School, and as such, this arrangement has VAT implications for the Association. Therefore, participation in the EOSC Winter School is exclusively available through the purchase of the travel package. The EOSC Winter School 2025 is organised as a cost-neutral event, ensuring that all expenses are covered without generating any profit for the organiser.
Travel arrangements
Please note that the attendance package does not cover travel costs. Kindly refrain from making any travel arrangements until you have received written confirmation that your registration (NOT pre-registration) has been accepted or successfully completed and you have paid for the attendance package.
