Sixth Edition of the TellUs Project: Connecting Students with European Research and Innovation Policymaking

The College of Europe has successfully concluded the sixth edition of TellUs, its flagship extracurricular initiative developed in partnership with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD).

TellUs brings together academic inquiry and practical European policymaking, offering our students the opportunity to engage directly with current policy challenges and contribute their analysis to discussions with European Commission experts.

This year, participating students from the Victoria Amelina Promotion focused on four key areas for European research and innovation: the development of an innovative European ecosystem, the green transition, advanced materials, and innovation procurement in healthcare.

Throughout the project, students took part in two in-depth working meetings with DG RTD experts, followed by a plenary session in Brussels. The initiative enabled them to examine these policy areas in detail, refine their recommendations and present their work directly to senior European Commission officials.

We extend our sincere thanks to DG RTD Director-General Marc LEMAÎTRE and Deputy Director-General Joanna DRAKE for their support. We also thank the expert supervisors, Krzysztof KANIA, Sophia FANTECHI, Anna-Pia PAPAGEORGIOU, and Jekaterina NOVIKOVA, for the guidance and expertise they provided throughout the initiative.

Special recognition goes to the Academic Assistants from our European Political and Governance Studies Department who coordinated the project – Luís MATOS, Tanguy BALCON and Sara Maria BARBAGLIA – as well as to all participating students, whose commitment, research and insights contributed to the successful completion of this year’s edition and to the final report.

Through initiatives such as TellUs, the College of Europe continues to provide students with opportunities to connect their academic work with the practical realities of European policymaking and to contribute meaningfully to debates shaping the future of Europe.

Discover our students’ findings and recommendations in the full report: TELLUS REPORT 2025/2026

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