Objective
The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have collaboratively launched an international research initiative, funded by their respective national agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the USA and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
In addition, the Canadian federal government has established a dedicated agency for international research collaboration. The European Union’s Horizon program has also expanded to allow international researchers to receive funding.
Given the typically stringent deadlines for proposal submissions following the announcement of calls for proposals, this exclusive, invitation-only workshop is designed to provide a platform for researchers from these nations and related fields to network, foster relationships, and enhance their preparedness for future international collaborative opportunities.
Travel and accomodation
Accommodation Recommendations :
Novotel Atria (Belfort), Les Capucins (Belfort)
Both hotels are located 15-20mn walk from the venue. Bus lines 2 & 3 can also be used to reach the venue.
Travel and Accommodation:
Participants will cover their own costs.
Travel Recommendations:
- nearest airports include Basel-EuroAirport, Zurich airport, and Paris airports;
- direct high-speed train connections to Belfort (Belfort – Montbéliard TGV) exist from Zurich main train station (Zurich HB), Basel SBB train station, and Paris Gare de Lyon.
- Bus and train connections run regularly between Belfort TGV station and Belfort’s city center train station.
You can also book a taxi (around 12km). For more information, please contact us. Detailed travel information will be available in the upcoming booklet and on this website soon.
Booking train tickets within Switzerland (Zurich airport to HB, Basel airport to SBB): https://www.sbb.ch/en Booking train tickets to/from French stations: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en
We recommend you arrive on July 8 and leave on July 11.
Included for all registered participants: 2 lunches (July 9 & 10), 1 social dinner (July 9), 1 excursion (July 10), coffee breaks on July 9 & 10.
Program
July 9, 2026 (Thursday)
- 9-9:30am: Registration, Welcome coffee, Opening remarks (Fei Gao, Xianguo Li)
- 9:30-10:30am: Session 1 (presentations & discussion)
- 10:30-11am: Coffee break
- 11am-12pm: Session 2 (presentations & discussion)
- 12-2pm: Lunch break
- 2-3:30pm: Session 3 (presentations & discussion)
- 3:30-4pm: Coffee break
- 4-6pm: Session 4 (presentations & discussion)
- 7pm: Social dinner at Citadelle restaurant (Belfort)
July 10, 2026 (Friday)
- 9-9:30am: Registration, Welcome Coffee
- 9:30-10:30am: Session 5 (presentations & discussions)
- 10:30-11am: Coffee break
- 11am-12pm: Session 6 (presentations & discussions)
- 12-2pm: Closing of workshop sessions, Networking lunch
- 2-7pm: Excursion to Colmar
Registration & Inquiries
Please contact us at : gset2026@utbm.fr.
Host institution
University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM)
Organizing Committee
General Co-Chairs: Fei GAO, University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard & Xianguo Li (University of Waterloo) /Financial & Program Chair: Maeva Berghmans (University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard)"
