FunGlass Showcases Strategic Funding Synergies at widerAdvance Mutual Learning Event

On 11 February 2026, Prof. Dušan Galusek, Director of the FunGlass Centre of Excellence at Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, represented Slovakia at the Mutual Learning Event on Synergies for Knowledge Valorisation organized within the widerAdvance Facility in Prague. The event brought together leading European institutions to exchange practical insights on how coordinated funding strategies can enhance the impact of research and innovation.

In his invited success‑story presentation, Prof. Galusek highlighted how FunGlass has transformed EU investment into long‑term scientific excellence, innovation capacity, and regional development. As a Teaming Centre of Excellence, FunGlass has successfully combined Horizon Europe, ERDF, national programmes, and targeted innovation schemes to build a sustainable R&I ecosystem in advanced glass and ceramics.

He showcased key achievements enabled by these synergies, including reversing researcher outflow, establishing six international double‑degree PhD programmes, expanding industrial collaboration, and securing multiple high‑impact projects such as EIC Pathfinder EverGlass and BiCEPS, the Excellence Hub GlaCerHub, and several ERA Talent initiatives. Strengthened IP management, growing international recruitment, and expanding partnerships further demonstrate the Centre’s maturing innovation potential.

Through its strategic multi‑funding approach, FunGlass offers a transferable model for how research institutions in Widening countries can accelerate valorisation and competitiveness, aligning regional strengths with European priorities.