This year’s BuTa, KoWi’s annual nationwide forum for the exchange of information and experiences regarding EU research and innovation funding, took place from June 16–18, 2026, at Leipzig University.
The approximately 350 participants were able to attend exciting keynote speeches, panel discussions, short presentations, and sessions on current topics related to EU research funding.
Over the past few days, discussions have focused on FP 10 – the upcoming EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation – and the expectations surrounding it; the proper handling of AI in research funding; the large increase of proposal submissions in Horizon Europe; issues of research security in a changing world; and many other current topics related to EU research and innovation funding.
On the last day of the BuTa, we were represented with a talk on regional funding support structures as well as with a topic table at the Paulinum of Leipzig University. Thank you KoWi and Leipzig University for giving us the opportunity to inform and engage in discussions with BuTa participants on opportunities for cooperation with newly associated Horizon Europe member states and third countries.
A big thank you goes out to Dr. Tae Young Han, Managing Director of K-FAST, and Dr. Avinash Chekuru, a strategic consultant for partnerships with institutions in the Global South at Dresden University of Technology, who enriched our topic table with fascinating practical insights into their collaborations.