2nd Training School

WIRE COST Action
2^nd Training School

“Collaboration for change: Enhancing knowledge in biorefinery technologies”

June 30^th –July 2^nd 2025, Faro, Portugal

Welcome to WIRE’s 2^nd Training School, “Collaboration for change: Enhancing knowledge in biorefinery technologies.” This exciting event, hosted in Faro, Portugal, will bring together 20 trainees for three days of intensive learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

The focus of this training school is to advance expertise in biomass transformation and biorefinery technologies, addressing key challenges and opportunities within the bioeconomy. Participants will engage with the four central Working Groups of the WIRE COST Action—Raw Materials, Biorefinery Conversion Technologies, Biorefinery Applications, and Communication and Dissemination—fostering both technical and strategic discussions aimed at enhancing innovation and sustainable solutions.

Through this collaborative environment, we aim to tackle pressing technical challenges, promote career development for early career researchers, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the bioeconomy sector. By connecting experts, researchers, and practitioners, this training school offers a unique platform for sharing best practices, advancing collaborative research, and contributing to the growth of a more integrated and dynamic scientific community.

Join WIRE on this journey as we harmonize knowledge, catalyze innovation, and pave the way towards a sustainable bioeconomy future!

Paulo Brito, Action Chair

Local Organizing Committee

Jorge Semião, University of Algarve and CISCA, Portugal (jsemiao@ualg.pt)
Nelson Sousa, University of Algarve and CISCA, Portugal (nsousa@ualg.pt)
Gonçalo Prates, University of Algarve and IGOT, Portugal (gprates@ualg.pt)
Rui Cruz, University of Algarve and MED, Portugal (rcruz@ualg.pt)

Program available here

Training School evaluation methods here

Information on location, accomodation and transportation can be found here

Meet the trainers

Who can apply?

Early-Stage Researchers (ESR) and PhD students, involved in COST Actions. Please note that applying for the training school does not automatically guarantee access to it.

Funding:

Participants affiliated to an academic institution or company from a COST Full Member Country, a COST Cooperating Member Country or from a COST Near Neighbor Country may apply for reimbursement. The exact value depends on the expected travel and accommodation costs. The maximum travel amount is 350 €, and Portugal’s daily allowance rate is 201 €.

How to apply?

All candidates must first create an e-COST profile.
Before applying, please carefully read the rules regarding grant eligibility and financial support in the Annotated rules for COST Actions (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/02/COST-094-21-V2.0-Annotated-Rules-for-COST-Actions-Level-C.pdf).
Apply for the grant by filling the below Google Forms, and uploading CV, motivation letter and a recommendation letter: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvaXI7EYTYForltAOEo7Y2gMdm7Mhjn_vzoxzvBlpJb9UiAg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Participant evaluation and selection will be at the discretion of WIRE’s Core Group, considering a balance of ITC countries and gender to ensure equality.
Candidates will receive a notification informing whether they have been accepted (grant awarded).
Selected participants will be sent an e-COST invitation to the training school which must be acceptedprior to the event (within 15 days after reception).

Important dates

Deadline for application: April 30^th, 2025

Notification of acceptance & sending of e-COST invitations: May 7^th, 2025

Confirmation of participation (acceptance of e-COST invitations): May 22^nd, 2025

After the training school:

All attendees shall submit a completed online travel reimbursement request via e-COST within 15 calendar days after the end date of the training school.

Before submitting the claim, attendees should read carefully the COST Actions’ Travel Reimbursement Rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/04/Travel_Reimbursement_Rules_2025.pdf)

All attendees shall upload legible copies of all invoices / receipts and relevant supporting documents onto e-COST and archive the original invoices / receipts for four (4) years after the end of the Grant Period in which the meeting takes place.