Our experts have identified areas for improvement in preparation for the Advanced Materials Act: accelerating discovery through AI and digital tools, leveraging EU standards and product passports, turning research into market-ready products, and strengthening research, skills and resource security.
Advanced materials are essential to Europe's autonomy and competitiveness. However, in Europe, structural challenges hinder the transition from materials discovery to safe, sustainable, and competitive use. Read the full report: scadv.eu/advmat
The Scientific Advice Mechanism has published its advice on advanced materials. The Evidence Review Report and the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors' policy recommendations are available today. Follow the live handover, or watch the replay later on our YouTube channel: scadv.eu/Y15grkW
The SAM's experts have examined what needs to change.
The full report and policy recommendations will be available online at the same time:
scadv.eu/advmat
From superconductors to biomaterials and next-gen materials that distribute energy far more efficiently, advanced materials are essential for Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness, and resilience. Europe has a strong foundation in science and regulatory practices, but structural challenges hinder it.
On Tuesday, the Scientific Advice Mechanism will hand over its advice on advanced materials to European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. The topic is highly significant for Europe's autonomy and competitiveness.
Follow the live handover event on 21 April at 14:30 CET:
scadv.eu/Y15grkW
Frans explained how the WRR sets its own agenda independently of government, why it deliberately takes on politically charged topics, and what it means to advise on the long term in a world of short political cycles.
Recorded in May 2023, our conversation with Frans Brom, Council Secretary and Director of the WRR Office, the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy, remains one of the most listened-to episodes we've produced. Read a short article about it or listen again: scadv.eu/uNuWNoR
Euro-CASE announces the launch of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering’s Engineering Diplomacy Hub, marking a significant step forward in strengthening international engineering collaboration and leadership. View a video overview of the hub: scadv.eu/mHKVE9M
EASAC’s new commentary, “Energy System Integration,” provides evidence-based insights into how integrating electricity, heat, and green gases across industry, buildings, and transport can reduce dependencies, keep energy prices in check, and strengthen industrial competitiveness. scadv.eu/gF24dY0
SAM and PSCE co-hosted a webinar bringing together scientific experts and emergency management practitioners to explore how AI is reshaping crisis response across Europe. The session featured real-world case studies.
Catch the key takeaways in our recap: scadv.eu/wMM7gKZ
This session goes beyond the science to focus on practical, real-world examples of AI being applied in the field. Whether you're involved in emergency services, civil protection, or EU policy, this is a rare chance to connect scientific insights with practical applications.
scadv.eu/d9gUWCG
Join us on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 CET for an online webinar co-organised with Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE). The event will explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionising crisis management.
Register now
scadv.eu/f6kVxY7
Furthermore, the European Democracy Shield Communication (12 November 2025) anticipates a Recommendation to bolster the use of scientific evidence in public policymaking.
scadv.eu/1drcQcJ
Similarly, the Safe Hearts Plan, the EU's cardiovascular health strategy (16 December 2026), tasks SAM alongside the European Group of Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) with examining the impact of ultra-processed foods.
scadv.eu/XZu07vJ
In its proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European Union framework for science diplomacy (published 27 February 2026), the EC underscores the vital contribution of scientific advice to foreign and security policy through the JRC, SAM, and the Union's decentralised agencies. scadv.eu/WWHqWx1
The role of scientific advice in EU policymaking has been emphasised in several recent European Commission communications. Taken together, these initiatives reflect a growing recognition that robust, independent scientific advice is essential to addressing the complex challenges facing the EU. 1/4
The conference opens with a keynote by Robbert Dijkgraaf, President-Elect of the International Science Council, on 'Global Science in a Fractured World'. The event takes place as part of the ALLEA General Assembly 2026 (26–29 May).
The event builds on ALLEA's long-standing priorities and invites self-critical reflection on how academies, together with universities, research institutions, funders and scholars, can strengthen academic resilience and independence.
On 27 May 2026, ALLEA will host a public conference at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, exploring what is needed to build an independent, secure and future-proof European research landscape.
Registration is open
scadv.eu/n8AOt82
The EU played an active role in supporting the establishment of the panel, reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based multilateralism. The ISP-CWP's work will support informed decision-making across the full lifecycle of chemicals and materials.
The panel fills a long-standing gap in international environmental governance by providing authoritative, policy-relevant scientific assessments on chemicals, waste and pollution, complementing the existing global science-policy architecture.
A new intergovernmental panel on chemicals, waste and pollution has officially launched. Its assessments will inform global decision-making across the full lifecycle of chemicals and materials, from production to disposal.
www.unep.org/isp-cwp
ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, is seeking a full-time Communications Manager based in Berlin.
Find out more and apply before 12 April 2026.
scadv.eu/vbyjPNb
Join us on 29 May 2026 at the Staszic Palace in Warsaw for an in-person workshop organised jointly by YASAS and ALLEA. This workshop will explore how equality, diversity, inclusion and academic freedom can be safeguarded within scientific advisory systems.
Including a broader range of voices, backgrounds, and experiences in scientific advisory processes makes the evidence stronger, more legitimate, and simply better. That is why equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are essential to high-quality science advice.
Register here
scadv.eu/t7Jn1Wi
In this session, Wade will discuss her journey as a researcher, the motivation behind her initiative, and her experiences along the way. This is the third webinar in the Budapest Knowledge Hub's "Empowering Women in Science within Europe with Emphasis on the Danube Region" project.
Since 2018, Wade has created over 2,100 Wikipedia pages dedicated to women and underrepresented scientists in STEM, directly addressing the platform's significant gender bias, where only around 18% of biographies feature women.
Academia Europaea invites you to join this upcoming webinar organised by the Academia Europaea Budapest Knowledge Hub, featuring British physicist Jess Wade (Imperial College London).
Date: March 12, 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 CET (Zoom)
Registration deadline: March 11, 2026
scadv.eu/eOGrbJk
It will be followed by an open panel discussion with Q&A.
Whether you work in emergency services, civil protection, research or EU policy, this is a unique opportunity to hear science and practice in direct dialogue and to share your own experiences.