EU TalentOn

The Commission and Leiden – European City of Science 2022 launched a call for applications for the EU TalentON, a new event that challenges young, academic talent to find solutions contributing to the goals of the five EU Missions from Horizon Europe. The four-day event brings together early career researchers between the ages of 21 and 30 and features an extensive programme, co-created with academia, entrepreneurs and industry.

Divided in small teams, young academic talents will receive the necessary tools to create innovative and marketable solutions with societal impact, as well as workshops, company visits, lectures, creative guidance and cultural experiences. At the end of the event, each team will pitch their solution to a professional jury and the public. Winners will receive sponsored prizes from the EU, industry and mentors.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:

As part of the European Year of Youth, we invite young talented researchers from all over Europe to join us in Leiden - European City of Science 2022 for the very first EU TalentON. Events such as these are essential to promote careers in research and innovation and facilitates cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration among early-career researchers, entrepreneurs and industry.

Each team will focus on a challenge related to one of the five EU missions. These novel tools of Horizon Europe support research to find responses to some of the greatest challenges we are facing today: fighting cancer, adapting to climate change, protecting the ocean, seas and waters, living in greener cities and ensuring healthy soil and food. Missions set clear goals to be achieved by 2030. They provide the right conditions and funding to enable researchers, innovators, policy makers, businesses and citizens to act together.

The EU TalentON is supported by Horizon Europe Work Programme ‘Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area’. All costs of participants, including travel, accommodation and mails will be covered. Early career researchers can apply to join the EU TalentON until the end of June.