SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre is pleased to announce the Thematic Summit on Physical Sciences & Engineering, Social Sciences & Humanities, and Energy, organized as part of the RIFF project (https://riff.muni.cz/), taking place from Thursday, 19th to Wednesday, 20th May 2026 in Kraków, Poland.
About RIFF project
The Ukrainian Research and Innovation (R&I) sector has faced significant challenges in recent years. In response, RIFF was established on the foundations of the EURIZON project to provide a forward-looking perspective on Ukrainian research infrastructures (RIs).
RIFF aims to strengthen and modernize Ukraine’s R&I system by delivering the Roadmap for Recovery and Enhancement of RIs in Ukraine through two complementary approaches:
- Bottom-up approach
An open call for proposals, combined with robust training, awareness-raising, and dissemination strategies for potential applicants, rooted in a network of eight Ukrainian partners.
- Top-down approach
A consultation process involving government officials, policymakers, and the scientific community, reflecting green and digital transition priorities. The roadmapping process will use the peer-review methodology established by ESFRI and involve panels of internationally renowned experts.
RIFF also connects Ukrainian RIs with EU/ESFRI networks via a dedicated implementation team, facilitating mobility and knowledge exchange between EU RIs and the Ukrainian scientific community. This includes a specialized training program for Ukrainian RI managers, operators, and policymakers.
Finally, an ambitious promotion program engages both national and international stakeholders, raising awareness of Ukrainian RIs and their role in European research.
About the Thematic Summit
The Thematic Summit in Krakow is an international event bringing together scientists and experts from both ERA/EU and Ukrainian research infrastructures (RIs). The summit aims to foster collaboration across key scientific domains and promote the integration of Ukrainian RIs into the European Research Area (ERA).
Structured around ESFRI scientific domains, the summit ensures targeted and meaningful discussions. This edition focuses on three ESFRI domains, bringing together domain-specific communities while also encouraging cross-domain exchange:
- Energy (ENE)
- Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)
- Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE)
The event will use a highly interactive format to maximize engagement, combining keynote speeches by RI leaders with panel discussions that explore common challenges. It will also serve as a platform to discuss the role of R&D in Ukraine’s sustainable reconstruction and how innovative solutions can contribute. This includes showcasing successful initiatives such as the LEAPS project for the Ukrainian beamline at the SOLARIS Synchrotron.
The outcomes of the Thematic Summit in Krakow will directly feed into the RIFF Roadmap for the Recovery and Enhancement of Research Infrastructures in Ukraine. By participating, the Ukrainian scientific community actively contributes to shaping national RI priorities and strengthening Ukraine’s position within the European Research Area.
About SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre
SOLARIS is a state-of-the-art facility located in Kraków, Poland, operating as part of Jagiellonian University. It provides advanced research infrastructure supporting a wide range of scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science, and the life sciences.
Specializing in synchrotron-based techniques, SOLARIS fosters high-quality, interdisciplinary research and innovation. Committed to excellence, it actively collaborates with academic institutions and industry partners across Europe, contributing to scientific advancement on a global scale.
Participation Details:
Participation in the Thematic Summit in Krakow is free of charge. Catering will be provided by the organizers.
