2025 INL Events Wrap-Up: The Moments That Mattered

As we turn the page on 2025, INL reflects on the moments that made this year worth remembering! Driven by a commitment to scientific progress, world-class innovation, and a strong sense of community, INL welcomed over 5,000 event visitors and nearly 3,000 conference participants throughout the year.

Winter: Qualifying the next-generation of scientists

The year set off strong for early-stage researchers. The INL Postgraduate School held its grand opening, following an immersive 30 hour communication course, designed to equip PhD students with essential skills beyond the lab. Soon after, the 3 MT Competition returned to INL. In a race against the clock, PhD students were challenged to pitch their theses in under a three minute mark.

Spring: Expanding the frontiers of science

Spring 2025 was the perfect season to celebrate and advance scientific knowledge. In March, INL hosted the 2nd annual meeting of the IDEAL Cluster for Indoor Air Quality and Health, amplifying the impact of Horizon Europe projects.

April brought the high-level workshop on advanced materials for medical devices, gathering leading experts, policymakers, and innovators across Europe to discuss pathways to successful health-tech adoption.

In May, INL celebrated the International Day of Light 2025. Through a series of engaging presentations, live demonstrations, and facility tours, visitors gained insights into photon-based quantum computing, diamond quantum sensors in neuroscience, and topological materials in light detection.

Summer: Building community and training the future

Summer 2025 agenda was filled to the brim. The FoQaCiA Workshop 2025 kicked-off the season, offering graduate students and early-career researchers a full week to learn the fundamental principles behind quantum computational advantage. Meanwhile, the 1st edition of Falling Walls Lab Portugal saw INL as its host. The competition had five semi-finalists step on stage to present their breakthrough proposals.

The INL Open Day invited the local community to step inside the campus. With interactive exhibits and live demonstrations tailored to an all-age audience, guests discovered how nanotechnology is boosting sustainability, energy storage, and public health.

In July, INL partnered with Ciência Viva for two key events: Encontro Ciência 2025, Portugal’s largest science and technology meeting, and Ciência Viva no Laboratório, where secondary school students spent a week as active participants in real scientific projects—experiencing life as scientists, not just observers.

Fall: Connecting talent, innovation, and society

As autumn arrived, INL’s campus came alive with community-driven, educational, and entrepreneurial initiatives.The ESRA Career Fair, connected emerging talent with leading companies, innovative startups, and cutting-edge research centres. The following day, the Demo Day of the Global Health Accelerator brought together 11 innovative health startups, to showcase transformative solutions developed throughout a 6-month program.

September also featured the European Researchers’ Night. With Forum Braga as venue, culture, art and science merged into interactive experiments, games, and demonstrations. The evening enabled subjects such as physics and biology to permeate the routine of a diverse audience.

In October, INL represented Portugal at World Expo Osaka 2025. Through media art projections, microscopy exhibits, virtual lab experiences, and activity books for children, INL engaged nearly 10,500 visitors with complex topics like advanced materials and biotechnology.

Back on campus, the FUNLAYERS Hackathon: Sprint to Submission challenged early-career scientists to turn their ideas into research proposals in just one day. By leveraging mentorship, and interdisciplinary teamwork, the event equiped participants with fundamental skills in proposal writing.

November continued the theme of professional growth with the 2nd ESRA Symposium. Reflecting the enthusiasm of our research community, the event counted with 180 participants, 44 posters, and 13 oral presentations.

Finally, INL closed the year by celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its founding agreement, honouring a legacy of scientific excellence and Iberian collaboration.

Looking on to 2026

This line-up of initiatives, though not exhaustive, paints the picture of a year where community took precedence. In 2026, INL will continue to raise scientific standards, nurture its community, and deepen the bond between science and society. Together, we look forward to building a future where collaboration and discovery go hand in hand.

Text by Clara Miranda
Photography by Alar Ainla