Building on the momentum of the Think Europe event in October 2025, we are excited to announce European Research Day.

European Research Day is a hybrid event showcasing European research funding opportunities, major agencies including Horizon Europe, and supporting UQ researchers and staff to navigate and access major UK and European funding programs while strengthening international collaboration.

Register to attend


About

London and St Paul Cathedral with blurred people walking across a bridgeThis initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for Australia and Europe. President von der Leyen's recent visit to Australia and the commencement of formal negotiations between the European Commission and Australia for association with Horizon Europe (Pillar II) signals a new era of partnership. With Australia on track to apply for Horizon Europe research calls from early 2027, Australian institutions will be able to compete for funding alongside EU member states and other associated countries. This opens an unprecedented opportunity for Australian researchers to strengthen their participation and leadership in international, collaborative research addressing the world's most pressing challenges.

To support UQ researchers and professional staff in navigating and accessing Horizon Europe and other UK and Europe research funding opportunities, the UQ Research Office and UQ Global Partnerships will co‑host European Research Day. The program will feature a keynote address providing strategic insight into European research priorities and the funding agencies that support them. This will be complemented by rapid‑fire presentations in a Three Minute Thesis (3MT)–style format, highlighting successful UQ–Europe collaborations and globally important research funded by European funding agencies.


Program

Please note that sessions will be noted in the program as in-person or hybrid (in-person and online) below. 

Day 1

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Venue: ViewPoint (Building 33), UQ St Lucia campus

TimeActivity
9:30-10amRegistration
10-10:15amOpening and presentation by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Sue Harrison
10:15-11amKeynote speech (speakers to announced)
11am-12pmResearch Rapid Fire – Wellcome Trust and Novo Nordisk Foundation
12-12:55pmNetworking lunch
1-2pmDiscussion panel (speakers to be announced)
2-3pmHorizon Europe update
3pmClosing remarks

Day 2

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
Venue: Forgan Smith Building, UQ St Lucia campus

Day 2 features a series of concurrent, hands‑on workshops designed to build capability and confidence across the full lifecycle of international research funding. Overviews of each workshop are provided below to help you choose the sessions best aligned to your needs and career stage.

TimeConcurrent sessions
9:30am-12pm

From Projects to Porgrams: Prepating Coherent Research for Large-Scale Funding (in-person only)

Securing major international research funding requires more than a strong idea—it requires a clear research vision, effective collaboration, and the ability to explain how related work connects and develops over time. In this workshop, you will explore how to frame your research as a coherent program rather than a collection of projects and gain practical tools to clarify your research vision and articulate contribution, significance, and longer‑term trajectories to international funders and collaborators. This session is ideal for researchers considering or preparing for large‑scale funding opportunities that support collaborative or programmatic research, and who wish to strengthen their long‑term funding readiness.

Finding the Right Research Collaborators: Building Confidence and Capability (in-person only)

Successful research collaborations don’t just happen—they’re built through clarity, strategy, and confidence. This interactive 2.5-hour workshop helps researchers build confidence and practical skills for developing effective research collaborations. Participants will learn how to identify the expertise and capabilities needed for a funding opportunity, recognise what they already contribute to a collaboration, and articulate this clearly and authentically to potential partners. The session also covers practical approaches to finding and engaging collaborators locally and internationally, supporting the development of purposeful, reciprocal research collaborations.

12-2pmLunch break (catering not provided)
2-3:30pm

Thriving in Global Teams: Practical Tips You Can Use Today (in-person only)

Figuring out what to say, when to jump in, and how to read the room can feel a little awkward at first especially when working within global teams. The good news? It’s not as complicated as it seems. It’s really just a small shift from how we already work at UQ—plus a bit of awareness. Join us for an engaging afternoon session where you’ll pick up practical, real-time tips and tricks to confidently use while collaborating with international colleagues. The session is designed for researchers who are beginning to work in international or culturally diverse teams and want to strengthen everyday collaboration skills that underpin successful, high-quality research delivery.

Decoding International Funding Calls: How to Read, Plan, and Prepare Competitive Research Proposals (hybird)

Understanding what a funder is really asking for is the first step toward a winning application. This practical 1.5-hour workshop will guide researchers and research support staff through the essentials of interpreting application guidelines and funding rules. Participants will learn how to identify key requirements, evaluation criteria, and hidden expectations within funding documents. The session will also cover how to plan and structure project budgets—including direct and indirect costs—and how these interact with institutional policies. Finally, we’ll discuss broader considerations for developing strong, compliant, and strategically aligned applications. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear framework for reading, analysing, and responding effectively to any funding opportunity.

Thinking Beyond the Award: Integrating Post‑Award Realities into International Proposal Development (hybrid)

In this practical workshop, participants will explore the often-overlooked post-award realities that should shape strong pre-award planning for international research funding applications. Learn how to confidently construct budgets that involve multiple currencies and how to plan for international research agreements that differ from standard Australian templates, including IP expectations and financial compliance requirements. By understanding these post-award considerations up front, participants will be equipped to design more robust applications and set their projects up for smoother delivery once funding is secured. 

Venue

Room: 
ViewPoint (Building 33) and Forgan Smith Building, St Lucia Campus

Other upcoming sessions