3rd Meeting of Greek ERA Chairs – Deliverables and Impact : Upgrading Research in Greece
FORTH, Heraklion | October 30, 2025 | Auditorium “Georgios Lianis” & Online

The University of Crete and the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) successfully co-organized the 3rd Meeting of Greek ERA Chairs, held on October 30, 2025, in Heraklion and streamed online. The event was part of the ERA Chairs Programme, an EU-funded initiative under Horizon Europe (WIDERA), which supports excellence in “widening” countries by attracting leading researchers to drive institutional transformation.

The conference gathered coordinators and ERA Chairs from Greek universities and research centres, along with representatives from the European Commission, the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI), and the Region of Crete. It showcased the achievements of ongoing ERA Chair projects, emphasizing their role in enhancing talent attraction, fostering international collaboration, and upgrading Greece’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Vassilis Charmandaris (Director, FORTH) and Prof. Maria Vamvakaki (Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, University of Crete). Insights from the European Commission were shared by Maria Isabel Farfan, while Vassiliki Kalodimou (PRAXI Network/FORTH) presented the perspective of the National Contact Point.

The day featured presentations from ERA Chairs and project coordinators, including Comp-Biodiv-GR, MICROBIOPEST, TALOS-AI4SSH, Boost4Bio, InflaCare, TITAN, MASSTRUCT, EXCELLEND, RACE, ESPERANCE, and foodigIT. Discussions focused on excellence-driven research, inter-institutional collaboration, and strategic synergies across Greek institutions.

The concluding roundtable, moderated by Prof. George A. Garinis and Prof. Melina Tamiolaki, explored the long-term sustainability and integration of ERA Chair outcomes in the national research landscape. The event reaffirmed the transformative role of ERA Chairs in positioning Greece as a competitive and collaborative research hub within Europe.

Organization & Contact:

Prof. George A. Garinis | University of Crete & FORTH | garinis@imbb.forth.gr
Prof. Melina Tamiolaki | University of Crete | tamiolaki@uoc.gr

Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe WIDERA Actions (ERA Chairs Programme).