April 21–23, 2026
MAICh Conference Centre, Chania, Greece
Registration: January 20 – March 20, 2026
Participation: Free of charge
We are pleased to invite Early Career Researchers to the RECROP–PrimSeedPower GenNext Training School, a joint initiative of the two COST Actions. This three-day event offers advanced, interdisciplinary training in plant stress biology and seed priming strategies to enhance crop resilience under climate change.
In addition to scientific lectures, the programme will include interactive sessions, soft-skills workshops on grant preparation, and science communication, as well as stakeholder-oriented seminars linking research outcomes with innovation and policy.
Beyond scientific lectures, the Training School will offer soft-skills workshops on scientific writing, grant preparation, and science communication, as well as stakeholder-oriented sessions highlighting links between research, innovation, and policy. Interactive mentoring and informal discussion sessions will facilitate direct exchange between trainees and leading scientists.
The Training School is intended for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers seeking to strengthen both their scientific expertise and professional development while building international networks.
Confirmed Speakers:
- Dr. Sotirios Fragkostefanakis, RECROP Action Chair, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Prof. Erna Karalija, PrimSeedPower Cost Action Chair, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Prof., Dr. Andreas P.M. Weber, Institute for Plant Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Prof. Panagiotis Moschou, Department of Biology, University of Crete, Greece
- Dr. Aleksandra Radanovic, RECROP WG4 Leader, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Stella Provelengiou, Industry Engagement Coordinator, Subject matter expert, Crop Trust
TBC
Participation and Travel Grants
The Training School offers 50 participant places in total.
Travel grants are available for 30 selected Early Career Researchers.
Travel grant awardees will be selected based on:
- the quality of the submitted abstract, and
- a one-page motivation letter.
Travel reimbursement will be processed in accordance with the Annotated Rules for COST Actions.
The maximum reimbursable amounts will be specified in early January.
Eligibility for Travel Grants
Applicants must:
- be an Early Career Researcher, defined as a PhD student or postdoctoral researcher under 40 years of age;
- be affiliated with an institution in a COST Full Member, COST Cooperating Member
(https://www.cost.eu/about/members/), or a COST Near Neighbour Country
(https://www.cost.eu/cost-meets-researchers-nnc/).
All trainees will be expected to present a poster showcasing their research, fostering scientific exchange and peer learning. Additionally, selected abstracts will be invited for oral presentations, providing ECRs with enhanced visibility and a more comprehensive presentation experience.
Organizers
- Dr. Olha Lakhneko– Coordinator of the event, RECROP Action Young Researcher and Investigator Engagement Coordinator, olha.lakhneko@savba.sk
Plant Science and Biodiversity Center, Nitra, Slovakia - Dr. Sotirios Fragkostefanakis, RECROP Action Chair,
Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany - Dr Aleksandra Radanović, RECROP WG4 Leader
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia - Prof Erna Karalija, PrimSeedPower Cost Action Chair
University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina - Prof Baris Uzilday, PrimSeedPower Science Communication Coordinator
Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye