CERN Accelerating science

ATTRACT Final Conference – Bringing big science, talent and technology together

ATTRACT Final Conference – Bringing big science, talent and technology together

ATTRACT hosted its Final Conference in Brussels, Belgium, on 2–3 July 2025. The event served as a dynamic platform for bringing together all key actors involved in ATTRACT phase 2 to showcase their achievements and impact. For two days, participants had the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the practical implementation of the ATTRACT model and its contribution to advancing innovation across research, industry, and society.

Watch this video that summarizes this significant milestone for ATTRACT phase 2.



ATTRACT celebrates successes at final conference

The initiative helped develop breakthrough detection and imaging technologies and tested a model for innovation in Europe
ATTRACT Final conference The initiative helped develop breakthrough detection and imaging technologies and tested a model for innovation in Europe

Rethinking the role of research infrastructures

ATTRACT highlights the potential of research infrastructures to boost Europe’s competitiveness and security
Rethinking the role of research infrastructures ATTRACT highlights the potential of research infrastructures to boost Europe’s competitiveness and security

ATTRACT lights the way to commercialising R&D

Project offers blueprint to develop more homegrown deep tech in Europe
ATTRACT lights the way to commercialising R&D Project offers blueprint to develop more homegrown deep tech in Europe

Puff, the magic jacket: In this EU project, students design some surprising tech prototypes

Clothing that sucks drinking-water direct from the air is among the novelties that 1,400+ students have devised as part of ATTRACT Academy’s training for future tech entrepreneurs
Puff, the magic jacket: In this EU project, students design some surprising tech prototypes Clothing that sucks drinking-water direct from the air is among the novelties that 1,400+ students have devised as part of ATTRACT Academy’s training for future tech entrepreneurs

How a swim helped launch one of Europe’s fast-moving quantum start-ups

Random Power, an Italian quantum innovator, is among several surprising deep-tech projects incubated by the EU-funded ATTRACT project
How a swim helped launch one of Europe’s fast-moving quantum start-ups Random Power, an Italian quantum innovator, is among several surprising deep-tech projects incubated by the EU-funded ATTRACT project

ATTRACT Academy: empowering Europe’s next generation of innovators

ATTRACT Academy: empowering Europe’s next generation of innovators

The ATTRACT Academy is revolutionising how students engage with deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. Born from the success of the ‘Young Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ pilot in ATTRACT phase 1, it scaled up its impact during phase 2, expanding its reach to multiple universities across Europe.



What happens when you let a bunch of sociologists loose in a tech lab?

What happens when you let a bunch of sociologists loose in a tech lab?

Around the world, governments spend billions of euros a year to get new discoveries out of the lab and into the market. But do they actually know what works and what doesn’t?

Spoiler alert: not really. In many cases, the design of R&D support programmes is just a matter of “well-intentioned guesswork,” says Albert Bravo-Biosca, director of the London- and Barcelona-based Innovation Growth Lab, a non-profit that studies innovation policy.



TeSI programme: connecting science and business to address societal challenges

TeSI programme: connecting science and business to address societal challenges

Technological advancements continue to play a significant role in addressing societal challenges. The intersection of technology, business, and design provides opportunities for developing innovative solutions that respond to critical social needs. Within this framework, different initiatives aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world applications, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. 



CBI A3 programme: empowering students across continents to tackle global challenges

CBI A3 programme: empowering students across continents to tackle global challenges

The increasing complexity of societal challenges has led to the emergence of educational programmes that aim to equip students with the necessary skills to develop innovative solutions. These programmes focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering global responsibility, and leveraging emerging technologies. By integrating different domains, including deep technology, design, and engineering, among others, such programmes prepare students to address issues aligned with global sustainability goals.



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