Call for Hosts ICA Forum 2027

The ICA Board is pleased to invite ICA member universities to express their interest in hosting the ICA Forum 2027. The ICA Rectors and Deans Forum brings together representatives of Europe's life science universities to exchange knowledge, discuss strategic developments and strengthen collaboration across the Association. Hosting the Forum offers an opportunity for an ICA member university to showcase its institution and region, bring together colleagues from across the ICA network, and contribute to shaping the programme and discussions around key issues for life science universities.

Registration is still open

The ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2026 will take place on 15–16 October 2026 at the Biodiversity Research Centrein Cluj-Napoca, Romania, hosted by the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (USAMV Cluj-Napoca).

The registration is still open via this form.

Registration is Closed

As part of the Horizon Europe eNaBlS project, ICA is organising the International Policy Workshop "Policy Recommendations on Nature-Based Solutions for Education", to be held on 23 September 2026 at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union in Brussels.

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education (ICA CoP Bio-Edu) has released the Executive Summary of its 2025 workshop “Learning Communities for the Transformation Towards a Bioeconomy”, held on 20–21 November 2025 at the Irish College Leuven, Belgium. 

The report emphasises that successful Learning Communities depend on shared goals, trust, transparent communication and long-term engagement among actors from across the quadruple helix.

The workshop forms part of ICA CoP Bio-Edu’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bioeconomy education, stakeholder collaboration and knowledge exchange across Europe.

The Executive Summary is now available and provides valuable insights for educators, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and all stakeholders involved in advancing the sustainable bioeconomy transition.

Download Executive Summary - ICA-CoP Bio-Edu Workshop 2025

We are pleased to announce that the ICA General Assembly will take place online on 11 June 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 CET.

The ICA General Assembly is the main governing body of the Association and includes one representative from each Full Member institution. The Assembly meets once a year, and participation of Full Member representatives is mandatory.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to review key developments, discuss important matters related to ICA activities, and engage with the ICA community.

More detailed information and the draft agenda will be published soon.

Please reserve the date in your calendar.

The Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) is inviting applications for a Part-time Administrative Officer to support the ICA Secretariat and work closely with the Secretary General. This remote position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to European higher education, research policy, and international collaboration within a dynamic network of leading life science universities.

Application deadline: 19 January 2026
Starting date: Early February 2026

👉 View the full vacancy announcement and application details ICA Vacancy Announcement.

ICA Excellence Award 2025

Calls hand been made for nominations for the ICA Excellence Award in each of the following three categories:

• ICA Excellence Award – Lifetime Achievements
• ICA Excellence Award – Early-Stage Academic
• ICA Excellence Award – Networking

The Awards were presented at the time of the ICA Rectors and Deans forum held on 16 October, 2025 at BOKU university, Vienna, Austria 

Award winners and presenters

Recommendations for Education Pathways Initiatives to Support Transformations to the Bioeconomy

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) recognises the statements in the call document of skills shortages as the new green jobs come on stream and expand as the EU transforms towards the Bioeconomy. Consequently ICA-CoP Bio-Edu proposes that in the new Bioeconomy Strategy the following actions should be taken by the European Commission under the guidance of a Bioeconomy Skills Observatory, to address the skills shortages::

1. Reinforcing Interdisciplinarity in curricula
2. Lifelong Learning – collaboration between industry and universities
3. Learning communities driving the transformations to the bioeconomy

Read the full recommendations of the ICA-CoP Bio-Edu submission in the attached submission document

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) is a Committee of the Board of ICA.  More information about ICA-CoP Bio-Edu can be found here

Shaping Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy: Contributions from European Life Science Universities

The 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 has made a call for evidence and public consultation to take into account the perspectives of stakeholders, especially young people, SMEs (including start-ups), non-governmental organisations, trade unions, and primary producers. 

ICA has responded to the call by submitting the attached document on 23 June
🟢 We believe that integrating sustainability, circularity, and resilience into the bioeconomy is key to tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food system resilience.
🟢 Our Life Science Universities are ready to drive innovation, provide evidence-based knowledge for policymaking, and equip future professionals with the interdisciplinary skills needed for Europe’s green and digital transitions.