Events

EMPHASIS and IPPS9: Advancing plant phenotyping through collaboration

The 9th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium (IPPS9) took place in Accra, Ghana, from 12 to 16 October 2026, bringing together an international community of scientists, researchers, plant breeders, technology developers and industry partners.

Organised by the International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN) and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), the symposium was held under the theme “Phenotyping for All: Bridging the Gap in Global Agriculture.” Its first edition on the African continent provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and exploring how plant phenotyping can address diverse agricultural challenges.

EMPHASIS was well represented at the conference, with delegates from member countries and from our Coordination Office in attendance. We hosted a daily series where an update was given from each global region on new developments, future plans, and how the region was playing its part in ‘bridging the gap’ in plant phenotyping, to make this an accessible approach for all.

Our EMPHASIS update included information about our upcoming legal establishment as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, about our access programmes, and our forward strategy for new scientific and technological initiatives.

EMPHASIS also co-hosted two sessions of ‘flash presentations’ from talented early career professionals, giving a window into the exciting new work being undertaken by talented young scientists from Africa and other regions.

A wonderful site visit took us to ABOCFA, a farmer co-operative based in Suhum, Ghana, where we learned about organic, ethical, efficient cacao production Home – ABOCFA Cooperative Cocoa

Learn more about IPPS9: 9th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium.

by InesPinho

EMPHASIS at the EOSC Symposium 2026: Supporting a more connected European research ecosystem

EMPHASIS joined the EOSC Symposium 2026, held in Florence, Italy, from 14 to 16 October. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, research infrastructures, data experts and organisations from across Europe to discuss the future of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

Under the theme “Connecting users, data and services,” the Symposium explored how EOSC can strengthen collaboration, improve access to research resources and support a more integrated European research and innovation ecosystem.

A milestone for the EOSC Federation

The 2026 Symposium marked an important moment for EOSC, following the EOSC Federation’s transition into production. By connecting research infrastructures and services, the Federation aims to make it easier for researchers to discover, access and reuse research data and resources across organisational and national boundaries.

These developments underline the importance of interoperability, trusted data sharing and cooperation between the many organisations contributing to Europe’s research landscape.

Collaboration is key to open science

Building a connected research ecosystem requires more than technology. It also depends on collaboration, shared practices and a common commitment to making research outputs and services more accessible and reusable.

The Symposium provided a valuable context for discussing these challenges and opportunities, including the role of EOSC in supporting emerging research needs, data-intensive science and European ambitions in artificial intelligence.

For Resgare, these topics align with the broader importance of fostering connections between research communities, infrastructures and digital services. Continued dialogue and collaboration are essential to translating the vision of open science into

practical benefits for researchers and society.

Looking ahead

The progress highlighted at the EOSC Symposium demonstrates the growing importance of a coordinated European approach to research data and digital infrastructure.

As EOSC continues to develop, collaboration across the research community will remain essential to building an open, interoperable and sustainable research environment.

EMPHASIS welcomes the continued efforts of the EOSC community to advance this shared vision and looks forward to the opportunities that further collaboration can bring.

Visit the EOSC Symposium 2026 website for further information about the event and its outcomes.

by InesPinho

CROPADAPT2026: Enhancing Multi-Stress Tolerance for Crop Resilience

The symposium CROPADAPT2026: Enhancing Multi-Stress Tolerance for Crop Resilience will take place on October 14–15, 2026 in Ghent, Belgium. Organized as a young scientist-led initiative, the event will bring together researchers, students, and professionals from across the plant sciences community.

As agriculture faces increasing environmental and climate-related challenges, improving crop resilience has become a major research priority. CROPADAPT2026 will provide a platform for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary discussion on how plants respond and adapt to multiple stress factors.

The scientific program is structured around two complementary themes:

Immediate resilience – focusing on how plants cope with environmental stress under current conditions
Future resilience – exploring innovative strategies and technologies to develop the next generation of resilient crops

The symposium aims to foster collaboration across disciplines and career stages while highlighting emerging research in plant biology, crop science, and sustainable agriculture.

📅 October 14–15, 2026
📍 Ghent, Belgium

Further information, including program updates and registration details, is available on the official event website: https://www.cropadapt2026.be/en/

CROPADAPT2026 Official Website

by InesPinho

Horizon Europe-funded MICROBES-4-CLIMATE project kicks-off

Today marks a significant milestone, MICROBES-4-CLIMATE, a project under the Horizon Europe programme, officially kicks-off its ambitious journey. Bringing together 31 dedicated partners from 13 countries, this groundbreaking project seeks to unravel the intricate interactions between soil, microorganisms, plants, and the environment.

The primary goal of MICROBES-4-CLIMATE is to elevate our understanding of this vital network. It is envisioned to provide the researchers with an unparalleled, integrated network of infrastructures, fostering collaboration and amplifying collective knowledge on this crucial subject. Each institution brings its unique expertise, contributing to the multidisciplinary approach that sets M4C apart.

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE has a duration of 5 years in which the consortium is committed to upscale the share of invaluable data, transcending borders, and accelerating progress in environmental science. Microbial biodiversity, soil health and fertility, plant microbiome, crop productivity, and climate resilience are just a few of the focus areas that will be explored. The kick-off meeting will take place on the 20th and 21th of February 2024 in Braga.

The consortium includes: MIRRI-ERIC, UVEG-CECT, UGENT, NKUA, UNITO, CRN, CABI, SPI, IPK, INRAE, FJZ, ALSIA, PHYTOBIOMES ALLIANCE, UMINHO, UNOTT, WU, UU, FEM, CREA, AIT, HMGU, LIFEWATCH ERIC, AnnaEE ERIC with the affiliated entities UNIV RENNES, CIHEAM-IAMB, CNRS, ISSAPPNP, LUKE, ULIEGE, UH and the affiliated partner SIB.

Join us on this extraordinary expedition, where innovation meets impact, and the quest for knowledge transforms the future!

For more information on, please visit: The Project Coordinator, MIRRI-ERIC or the MICROBES-4-CLIMATE project page

by DesignerTeebo

EMPHASIS training on affordable phenotyping in Matera-Metaponto, Italy

The topics cantered around

how to approach a phenotyping experiment in terms of experimental design
use of different particularly affordable tools
environmental monitoring
data management and modelling which was addressed in lectures
practical hands-on exercises and data analyses sessions, including practical solutions with data sets provided by the course participants.

Based on the large demand, EMPHASIS will further develop and provide further training on different aspects of plant phenotyping.

by DesignerTeebo

SusCrop / FoPD video contest on sustainable crop production

Please disseminate this widely asthe contest is open to EVERYBODY across the world for the following four categories:

School children & students
Education / research institutes / academia
Farmers
Open category (artists, enthusiasts …)

to reflect, communicate and inspire on ‘what sustainable crop production means to you?’

The first prize of each category is 1000 euro

Information is available at the SusCrop video contest webpage and attached here:

ERA-Net SusCrop VIDEO CONTEST 2022 announcement updated (English)
+ announcement text updated in Danish, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Polish, Spanish, Turkish
Statement of Agreement.

Video submission has to be done via WeTransfer to nikki.declercq@ilvo.vlaanderen.be AND to eline.dewispelaere@ilvo.vlaanderen.be

Questions

Nikki Declercq
Eline Dewispelaere

by DesignerTeebo

EOSC-Life: Workflowhub

The registry supports any workflow in its native repository. WorkflowHub aims to facilitate discovery and re-use of workflows in an accessible and interoperable way. This is achieved through extensive use of open standards and tools, including Common Workflow Language (CWL), RO-Crate, BioSchemas and TRS, in accordance with the FAIR principles.

Resources:

https://workflowhub.eu/

Implementing FAIR Digital Objects in the EOSC-Life Workflow Collaboratory
https://zenodo.org/record/4605654

by DesignerTeebo