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INPROCAP took part in the Research and Technology Infrastructures (RTI) Summit 2025 in Copenhagen on 22–23 October. It was an event held under the Danish EU Presidency and convened leading RTIs, Big Science Organisations, industry, and EU-funded projects. INPROCAP partner PEDAL Consulting, s.r.o. presented the project’s training pathway and capacity-building work to advance innovation-friendly procurement across the Big Science ecosystem. It engaged with RTI leaders and companies on skills needs, practical tools, and opportunities for collaboration.

The first INPROCAP webinar, held on 17 October 2025, officially launched the project’s series of trainings and capacity-building webinars. The session introduced participants to the fundamentals of innovation procurement and outlined the structure of the forthcoming INPROCAP training manuals and learning pathway.

Innovation procurement is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for driving progress in the Big Science sector. However, the needs of stakeholders differ — companies are looking for opportunities to enter new markets, Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs) are expected to provide specialist advisory support, and Big Science Organisations (BSOs) require advanced procurement expertise. To address these diverse requirements, the INPROCAP project has designed a comprehensive training programme that brings together shared objectives with tailored approaches.

On 1 October 2025, partners of the INPROCAP project met in Taastrup, Denmark, for the project’s Review Meeting with Project Officer Silvi Serregi. Hosted by the Danish Technological Institute, this key milestone provided a collaborative platform to review progress, exchange insights, and align strategies for the next phase of implementation. Focusing on innovation procurement within the Big Science sector, the meeting brought together experts from across Europe to share experiences, reflect on lessons learned, and define concrete actions to strengthen future cooperation and training initiatives.

Eight of the world’s leading research facilities joined Nordic researchers and high-tech companies in Lund, Sweden, for AIMday Big Science Technology 2025 on 30 September 2025. This year’s edition was dedicated to Green Tech Solutions. For the first time, the high-profile event was jointly organised by BigScience.dk, Big Science Sweden, and the INPROCAP project. Together, we managed to create a truly dynamic meeting place for open discussion and collaboration between research infrastructures, academia, and industry.

Procurement is one of the most powerful tools available to the public sector. Not only does it help acquire goods and services but it also has the potential to shape markets, stimulate research and development, and accelerate the uptake of innovative solutions. In many cases, however, procurement is still seen as a rigid and slow process that holds back innovation. This perception is particularly evident in sectors where new solutions are urgently needed, such as security. Yet, with the right approaches and instruments, procurement can be transformed into a true driver of innovation.

On 28 May 2025, Warsaw became the epicentre of public sector innovation with the Innovation Procurement Forum. Hosted by Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development, the event gathered public officials, researchers, European Commission representatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Together, they explored how innovative procurement mechanisms—particularly Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI)—can transform public services and accelerate Europe’s twin green and digital transitions.

On June 24–25, 2025, partners of the INPROCAP project convened in Amsterdam for their third consortium meeting. Hosted by NOW-I at the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (NIKHEF), this key event marked an important milestone in the project. It provided a collaborative space for partners to review progress, exchange knowledge, and align strategies for the next phase of implementation. With a focus on innovation procurement in the Big Science sector, the meeting brought together expertise from across Europe to strengthen joint efforts and address upcoming challenges.

From 12 to 16 May 2025, Warsaw hosted the FISA-EURADWASTE & SNETP Forum 2025. A flagship European event was dedicated to nuclear fission research, safety, and radioactive waste management. Organised under the patronage of the European Commission and within the framework of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the forum brought together over 700 participants from 38 countries — including researchers, policymakers, regulators, industry experts, and young professionals.

As part of its mission to foster innovation across Europe, the INPROCAP project is organising a series of regional events in geographical hubs. Each hub is designed to activate and engage the local ecosystem, ensuring that INPROCAP activities reach all relevant stakeholders—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Each Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) involved is familiar with their region’s innovation procurement landscape and is committed to involving the most promising start-ups and innovative SMEs in the Big Science Organisations (BSO) ecosystem. These regional initiatives aim to strengthen participation in innovation procurement processes and provide targeted support tailored to local strengths and challenges.