SPEERI renews partnership with efzn and ECAS for Lower Saxony-Scotland Research Market Place in Critical Energy Infrastructures
Following a successful series of events on the topic of Hydrogen in 2025, SPEERI, along with the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS) and the Energy Research Centre Lower Saxony (efzn), are once again bringing researchers from Scotland and Lower Saxony together for an online academic matchmaking event, this time focusing on critical energy infrastructures in energy and digitalisation of energy systems.
What to expect
We look forward to hosting 2 sessions in this series;
Session I on 27 May 2026 at 2 p.m. BST on the topic of ‘Critical Energy Infrastructures’
Session II on 4 June 2026 at 2 p.m. BST on the topic of ‘Digitalisation of Energy Systems’
The sessions will be run along the World Café model. Researchers from the Scotland and Lower Saxony will present their research ideas in short one-minute pitches, before coming together for small interactive breakout sessions that allow for deeper exploration and collaborative brainstorming of the ideas.
At the event detailed information will be provided on how to apply for the the Research and Innovation Scheme by the Volkswagen Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In addition, other funding opportunities (DFG, EU, etc.) will also be outlined.
The events form part of the broader Flagship Initiative of Lower Saxony and Scotland to develop a Strategic Energy Partnership enabling collaborations to jointly work on the energy transition.
Further Information
For further insight into the market place, follow the link below to watch a video explainer of the event.
How to register
Please register as a pitcher for Session I or II by 3rd May 2026:
Please note: The pitches will be presented without PowerPoint slides.
If you just want to participate and exchange ideas with pitchers, you can also register as a visitor. Pitchers have a better chance of a successful exchange.
Please register at the ECAS-website:
Funding & Networking Opportunities
Participants of the Online Market Place on Energy Infrastructures are encouraged to explore targeted funding and networking opportunities to advance emerging collaborations between Lower Saxony and Scotland. The Market Place supports the formation of research tandems and facilitates the development of joint project ideas towards concrete funding applications. Detailed information on the opportunities will be shared during the sessions.
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme offers structured support for collaborations at different stages:
Stream I – Development Track (RSE)
Seed funding for new collaborations (e.g. workshops, networking)
Up to £8,000 | 12 months
Lead: Scottish PI
Next call: Q3 2026
Stream II – Excellence Track (Volkswagen Foundation)
Support for preparing major funding proposals (e.g. Horizon Europe, DFG–EPSRC)
Up to €100,000 | 2 years
Lead: Lower Saxony PI
Current call: until 30 April 2026
Next call: Q1 2027
For further details on the funding opportunities, please follow the link below.
