In 2025, the ECTS Academy continued to strenthen its role as a driving force for early-career development and scientific excellence in musculoskeletal research across Europe. Bringing together talented young researchers and clinicians, the Academy’s mission is to strengthen the future of musculoskeletal research by attracting top scientists and supporting them in building collaborative networks. The Academy members actively organized various activities over the year.
ECTS 2025 Congress: Central Involvement and Milestones
During the ECTS 2025 Congress in Innsbruck, Austria (23–26 May), the Academy played a pivotal role in shaping the scientific programme, with a strong emphasis on supporting New Investigators and celebrating a major milestone—its 10th anniversary. The anniversary was marked by a dedicated session led by Chairs Jeroen Geurts and Michaela Tencerova, showcasing the Academy’s history, achievements, and future goals. Highlights included presentations of successful exchange programmes and examples of intra-Academy collaboration.
Championing New Investigators
The Academy hosted the New Investigator Seminar & Gathering, chaired by Franziska Knopf and Tim Rolvien. This event provided a dynamic platform for early-career researchers to share their work through short oral presentations, while fostering networking and peer engagement in a relaxed atmosphere.
In the Poster Forum, selected abstracts were presented and evaluated, with Christina Møller Andreasen and Anda Mihaela Naciu serving as chairs, and Felix von Brackel and Jakob Starup-Linde as moderators. This session offered constructive feedback and greater visibility for emerging research.
Outreach and Community Initiatives
Demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian outreach, the Academy organized a charity Ice Stock tournament on Saturday evening of the Congress, raising funds for Osteogenesis Imperfecta Austria and welcoming participants from across the community.
Mentoring and Career Development
Recognizing the challenges faced by early-career scientists, the Academy held an interactive Mentoring Session tailored for New Investigators. Experts including Hanna Taipaleenmäki, Katharina Jähn-Rickert, Tiina Kähkönen, and Steven Stegen offered insights into career transitions, scientific outreach, and navigating paths in academia and industry.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
The ECTS Academy Lounge, seamlessly integrated with the ECTS Booth and organized by Anne Sophie Sølling, Biagio Palmisano, and Charlotte Verroken, became a vibrant meeting point for networking, informal discussions, and fostering connections among researchers at all career stages.
Throughout 2025, the Academy also held regular intra-Academy meetings focused on knowledge sharing, strategic planning, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations. These meetings allowed members to align on ongoing initiatives and develop joint projects with measurable impact for the ECTS community.
Further, the Academy member Biagio Palmisano represented the ECTS as a part of the exchange program with Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research (JSBMR) at their annual meeting in Kumamoto in July 2025.
Annual Academy Retreat
In November, the annual ECTS Academy Retreat took place in Potsdam, Germany, under the leadership of Jakob Starup-Linde and Michaela Tencerova. The retreat provided a dedicated space for reflection, leadership training, and strategic planning, ensuring continued momentum and unity among Academy members.
Advancing Education: ECTS PhD Training Course
Concluding the year, Academy members contributed as lecturers, mentors, and facilitators in the 18th ECTS PhD Training Course in Potsdam (7–9 November). The course addressed advanced topics in bone biology and musculoskeletal disease, with a strong emphasis on interactive learning and career development for PhD students.
The ECTS Academy remains committed to advancing the field of musculoskeletal research, driving excellence, and fostering the next generation of scientific leaders across Europe.