Bringing the Herbert Fleisch Workshop to Europe: A Community-Driven Initiative
The Herbert Fleisch Workshop (HFW) is a long-standing and highly regarded format in musculoskeletal research, combining scientific excellence with interdisciplinary exchange and dedicated mentoring of early-career researchers. Established in honor of Herbert Fleisch (1933–2007), the workshop has its roots in the Davos meetings (1985–2007) and was revived in 2014 under the International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS). It was subsequently held four times in Belgium (2014, 2016, 2019, 2022) through the efforts of Roger Bouillon and Christa Maes, before evolving into a rotating model among member societies, with the first edition outside Europe organized by ANZBMS in 2025.
From idea to realization: the ECTS initiative
The idea to bring the Herbert Fleisch Workshop back to Europe started in autumn 2024, when Liesbeth Winter, Katharina Jähn-Rickert, and Geert Carmeliet began discussing whether ECTS could take on this role. What started as a conversation quickly turned into action.
The first challenge was funding. Different options were explored, including outreach to industry and foundations, while sounding out support within the ECTS community. A real breakthrough came in April 2025 when the Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (DDEA) agreed not only to provide financial support but also to take on a substantial part of the practical organization, including logistics and event management. This effectively made the workshop feasible.
With this in place, the initiative gained momentum. Discussions continued during the ECTS Congress in Innsbruck, where the next steps were aligned. Over the summer and autumn of 2025, the scientific program took shape and speakers were confirmed. Once the program was in place, additional funding was successfully secured through the Carlsberg Foundation in January 2026.
With funding, program, and partnerships aligned, the final step was to formalize the collaboration. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IFMRS, ECTS, and DDEA, the Herbert Fleisch Workshop 2026 was officially announced in March 2026.
The 2026 Herbert Fleisch Workshop in Denmark
The workshop will take place from September 14–16, 2026, at the Frederiksdal Sinatur Hotel in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. It will bring together early- and mid-career researchers in a highly interactive format combining expert talks, peer discussions, mentoring, and structured reflection.
Scientific sessions will cover metabolic influences on bone health, adipose tissue in musculoskeletal disease, big data approaches, and advanced imaging of bone cells. The program further integrates career development sessions, collaborative project design, and outreach activities involving patient organizations. There will be space for 49 participants, selected based on abstract submission and motivation, ensuring an engaged and interactive group. The price of 230 Euro covers registration, accomodation, and all meals. On the DDEA event page there will be additional information regarding travel grant from IFMRS member societies.
A collective effort
The Herbert Fleisch Workshop 2026 in Denmark reflects a strong community-driven effort within ECTS. The workshop is organized by Liesbeth Winter, Bente Langdahl, Moustapha Kassem, Alexander Rauch, and Jeroen Geurts.
Beyond its scientific content, the initiative highlights how collaboration, persistence, and shared vision can sustain and evolve a unique format, while investing in the next generation of researchers in musculoskeletal science.
Follow the link to find additional information about the workshop and how to register for the event.