What if sharing lab protocols, tools, and day-to-day challenges became the spark for Europe’s next big research breakthroughs? That’s the idea behind the Knowledge Exchange Scheme (KES), part of the EDUC-WIDE programme, where core facility staff and researchers from universities across Europe are joining forces to exchange expertise – and ignite innovation.
Read more about EDUC-WIDE, and how it strengthens collaboration across Europe’s research landscape.
While collaboration in science is nothing new, the KES approach goes deeper. Instead of just co-authoring papers or exchanging data, the scheme focuses on sharing how research is actually done – techniques, instruments, protocols, and practices – through direct, hands-on engagement.
The initiative targets core facilities (CFs) and research infrastructures (RIs), the often behind-the-scenes labs that power everything from genomics to digital humanities.
A Network Built on Six Topics
Through the KES, researchers have self-organized into six scientific areas, covering both the life sciences and the social sciences & humanities:
- Digital Humanities
- Electron Microscopy
- Genomics & Bioinformatics
- Demography and Sociology
- Micro & Nanotechnology
- Molecular Analysis
Around 30 core facilities are currently involved, with a strong commitment from across the EDUC Alliance. Masaryk University (Czech Republic) stands out as a lead player, engaged in all six areas. Others, like the University of Cagliari (Italy) and the associated partner University of Rennes (France), are active in several areas as well, with each partner university bringing its own strengths and interests to the table.
From Theory to Practice: What These Exchanges Look Like
In May 2025, two major workshops exemplified the spirit of the programme – one in Hungary, the other in Norway.
At the University of Pécs, a two-day Genomics and Bioinformatics workshop brought together researchers from Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, Norway, and the Czech Republic. The event, held at the Szentágothai János Research Centre, focused on practical challenges and solutions: how genomics labs organize their teams, manage data, and ensure sample tracking using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Participants toured the Hungarian Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics, learned about the PRECISEMED project on genomics and biostatistics, and explored ways to create a thematic cooperation network across partner institutions. Discussions touched on sensitive topics like data protection, staff training, and financial sustainability – issues that affect all labs, regardless of country.
At the same time, the Department of Microsystems at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) hosted a workshop on Micro- and Nanotechnology. One of the highlights came from Liliia Turovska, Associate Professor at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University (Ukraine), who introduced the university’s PNU-NanoLab and its work in nanomaterials for energy and biomedicine.
Participants exchanged best practices on safe handling of nanomaterials, compared characterization techniques, and toured USN’s micro- and nanofabrication labs, part of the NorFab network. These conversations laid the groundwork for future joint research projects, student and staff exchanges, and shared infrastructure use.
Why It Matters
While the workshops are important learning opportunities, the broader impact is strategic. By encouraging institutions to look inward – at their own capabilities – and outward – at how they can complement one another – KES is strengthening the research ecosystem across the European Research Area (ERA).
For many participating researchers, the scheme is also a gateway into international networks they previously had limited access to. That kind of exposure can be transformational –not just for labs, but for careers.
What’s Next
More KES workshops are already scheduled, with areas continuing to grow in both depth and membership. Whether it's discussing digital humanities archives or state-of-the-art microscopy setups, the message is clear: shared knowledge is stronger knowledge.
The EDUC Alliance is proving that innovation doesn’t always require brand-new tools – it often starts with simply opening the lab door, and inviting others in.
Read more about EDUC-WIDE, and how it strengthens collaboration across Europe’s research landscape.