From 6 to 9 July 2026, the CHIRALNANOMAT Doctoral Network officially launched with its Kick-Off Event, hosted by TU Wien in Vienna, Austria.
Over four inspiring days, doctoral candidates, Principal Investigators, and representatives of the consortium came together for the first time, marking the beginning of an exciting journey of scientific collaboration, innovation, and international training.
The Kick-Off Event provided a unique opportunity for participants to meet in person, strengthen existing collaborations, and establish new connections across the network. Bringing together experts from academia and industry, the event laid the foundations for the close interdisciplinary and intersectoral cooperation that will characterise CHIRALNANOMAT throughout the project.
A central highlight of the programme was the introduction of the 13 Doctoral Candidates, who presented their academic backgrounds, research interests, and individual doctoral projects. These sessions allowed the consortium to gain a comprehensive overview of the scientific objectives of the network while fostering early interactions between students, supervisors, and project partners.
The scientific programme also included presentations by the Principal Investigators, showcasing the complementary expertise of the participating institutions and highlighting the collaborative approach that underpins the project. Throughout the event, discussions demonstrated the strong potential for knowledge exchange across disciplines, from synthesis and advanced spectroscopy to theoretical modelling and applications of chiral nanomaterials.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore the research being carried out across the network during the poster session, which encouraged informal scientific discussions and provided an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and identifying future collaborations.
In parallel with the scientific programme, the consortium held its first in-person Supervisory Board Meeting, where important aspects of the project’s implementation, management, and upcoming activities were discussed. The meeting represented an important milestone in establishing the governance of the network and coordinating the work that lies ahead.
Training is a cornerstone of every Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network, and the Kick-Off Event reflected this commitment. Participants attended engaging soft-skills workshops covering topics that will support their professional development throughout their doctoral journey. These sessions complemented the scientific programme by equipping the Doctoral Candidates with valuable transferable skills while encouraging active participation and discussion.
Beyond the lectures and meetings, the social programme played a key role in building the CHIRALNANOMAT community. Team-building activities, including a collaborative city rally through the historic streets of Vienna, offered participants the chance to discover the city’s rich cultural heritage while developing personal connections in an informal setting. Shared dinners and social events further strengthened the bonds within the consortium, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere that will support collaboration over the coming years.
The Kick-Off Event concluded with a strong sense of enthusiasm and commitment from all participants. New collaborations have already begun to take shape, ideas have been exchanged, and a vibrant international community has started to grow. With an ambitious scientific programme, a dedicated group of doctoral candidates, and a consortium committed to excellence, CHIRALNANOMAT is now well positioned to advance research on chiral nanomaterials and to train the next generation of researchers in this exciting field.
