The adoption of the YERUN Strategy 2026–2030 marks the beginning of a new strategic cycle for the network. Building on the achievements of the past decade, the Strategy sets out a clear vision for how young research universities can strengthen their collective impact and drive Europe’s education, research and innovation landscape. Anchored in YERUN’s core values, it focuses on collaboration and policy advocacy as the main drivers to ensure that young research universities are visible, influential and well positioned to address shared challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.
With its ambition to help universities thrive together, the Strategy reinforces YERUN’s commitment to excellence in research and education, to innovation and societal engagement, and to cooperation across borders and sectors. It provides a common framework to support members in navigating an evolving policy environment while fostering mutual learning, strategic partnerships and a stronger collective voice at European level.
We are pleased to share reflections from YERUN leaders, who offer their perspectives on the significance of the Strategy and what this new cycle means for the network and its members. Their contributions highlight the added value of YERUN as a platform for collaboration, and underline the shared ambition that will guide the network towards 2030.
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“Thriving together” is the title of the YERUN strategy towards 2030. It reflects what YERUN has achieved during its first 10 years, what the network aims for in the coming years. Europe faces numerous challenges and universities with a strong societal commitment will play a prominent role in addressing these. Therefore, we strive to thrive together, not only as a network, but also as universities working alongside society at large. – Dag Rune Olsen, YERUN President
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Brunel University of London
When Brunel joined the other founding members in launching YERUN, the United Kingdom was an established member of the European Union, and partnering with like-minded institutions across the continent was a logical step in our development as a young university. The politics of the past decade have made our membership of YERUN all the more strategically important and our commitment to the Network more determined. The YERUN strategy aligns well with the current and future priorities of national governments and the Commission. Brunel’s technical focus and commitment to research that directly impacts business, society and policy are shared qualities across the network that we can all build upon. Brunel’s commitment to research impact, open science and researcher career development are all enhanced by our membership of YERUN, and we look forward to growing our collaborations with YERUN partners through Horizon, Erasmus+ and other programmes. – Professor Andrew Jones, Vice Chancellor and President
Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we are eager to build on our strong and successful collaboration under the new YERUN Strategy 2026-2030. As the collective voice of Europe’s young universities, YERUN is a key partner in advancing our Europe Strategy 2025-2030. Together with the UM Brussels Hub, it enables us to shape and contribute to key EU policies in education and research. The shared priorities identified in the new strategy create valuable opportunities for our universities to learn from one another, support each other, and collectively strengthen our impact. Shaped by our own regional experiences yet united by a similar strong European approach, YERUN partners have the potential to deepen their collaboration in the years to come. – Professor Rianne Letschert, President
Malmö University
YERUN’s strategy, ‘Thrive Together!’, fits well with Malmö University’s Strategy 2030, which emphasises openness, societal development and academic values. The vision of strengthening young research universities in Europe provides us with a platform for collaboration, exchange of experience and influence on EU policies in education, research and innovation. YERUN’s focus on policy, collaboration and societal impact is well aligned with our goals of internationalisation, use of AI and digitalisation, interdisciplinarity and socially engaged research. Through the network, we can share knowledge, build stronger research collaborations and create new partnerships, while strengthening Malmö University’s profile and influence. Through YERUN, we get a stronger voice in the European context. Our involvement in YERUN makes it possible to create value for students, researchers and society, and to grow together with other young European research universities. – Professor Mia Rönnmar, Vice-Chancellor
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
As a member of YERUN’s Strategic Board, I see the 2026–2030 Strategy as a clear and confident statement of who we are as a network and where we intend to go. It articulates a shared ambition of young research universities to be visible, influential, and indispensable to Europe’s future.
What gives this strategy particular strength is its balance between policy advocacy and tangible collaboration. YERUN positions itself not only as a credible voice in European debates, but also as a platform that enables its members to thrive through mutual learning, strategic partnerships, and joint initiatives. The emphasis on talent development, digital transformation, academic values, and societal impact speaks directly to the structural challenges confronting our universities today. Crucially, the strategy also reinforces the role of universities as regionally anchored yet globally connected institutions. Strong regional engagement and institutional responsibility are not peripheral to excellence; they are fundamental to it. In times of growing social, economic, and political uncertainty, universities must remain trusted actors within their regions while contributing knowledge, innovation, and civic leadership at the European level. Equally important is the explicit recognition of research security as a shared responsibility of the network. In the current geopolitical context, safeguarding research integrity and resilience is inseparable from the protection of academic freedom and the core values that define Europe as a community grounded in openness, freedom, and responsibility. Addressing these challenges collectively strengthens both our institutions and the European research area as a whole. This strategy is the result of genuine collective effort and trust within YERUN. It provides a solid, forward-looking framework that will allow the network to grow, reinforce its voice, and act with confidence and cohesion in the years ahead. – Professor Adam Kola, Vice Rector for Research
Tallinn University
Cooperation between the YERUN universities is important to Tallinn University, and it has been rewarding to see our partnership evolve into something so purposeful. We are genuinely pleased to have developed a forward-looking strategy that centers on the high-impact priorities and focus areas. By aligning our efforts, we are not just working together—we are actively strengthening our collective impact. Looking ahead, we are focused on turning these shared goals into tangible results. – Professor Katrin Niglas, Vice-Rector for Research
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
Building a strong academic culture is not a sprint. It is not achieved within decades; some would argue that it takes centuries. The task is formidable, but together the YERUN universities can learn from one another and promote our common interests to achieve academic success. This success is essential for building strong and young research universities across Europe. The strategy is a vital tool for advancing our shared goals. Promoting our interests is increasingly important in a landscape where a growing share of research funding is allocated at the European level. Learning from one another is, therefore, the best way forward. In a world where basic freedoms and academic freedom are under pressure, preserving and protecting these values is essential. UiT The Arctic University of Norway is proud to be part of this alliance and to contribute perspectives from the High North. – Professor Jonas Stein, Vice Rector for Dissemination
Ulm University
As President of Ulm University, I am excited about YERUN’s ambitious 2026-2030 strategy. The network’s vision to become a leading force for young research universities aligns perfectly with Ulm University’s commitment to innovation and societal impact. We share YERUN’s entrepreneurial spirit and future-oriented mindset, as shown by our Entrepreneurs’ Campus, a central unit that supports all university members. The strategy’s focus on digital transformation and AI application in higher education also resonates strongly with our institutional priorities at Ulm. The network’s commitment to expand to 30-35 members by 2030 while maintaining its agile, focused nature presents exciting opportunities for broader collaboration. Through YERUN, Ulm University can strengthen its European partnerships and contribute to shaping EU policies that support young research universities’ distinctive role in driving innovation and sustainable growth. – Professor Michael Weber, President
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp considers its membership of YERUN strategically important, particularly in a rapidly changing geopolitical context in which traditional international cooperation frameworks are increasingly under pressure. At a time when established partnerships and multilateral agreements cannot be taken for granted, the University of Antwerp strongly reaffirms its belief in European and international academic collaboration. As a network of young, research-intensive European universities, YERUN provides a collective and credible voice in European higher education and research policy, enabling its members to engage proactively with EU-level discussions. The network offers concrete benefits through strategic cooperation with like-minded institutions, including joint research projects, participation in European funding programmes, and the development of innovative educational initiatives. These goals closely align with the University of Antwerp’s mission and vision, which emphasise international engagement, research excellence, talent development, and societal impact. Membership of YERUN therefore functions as a key instrument to safeguard and strengthen meaningful academic cooperation in Europe. – Professor Herwig Leirs, Rector
University of Bremen
At the University of Bremen, we are pleased to support YERUN’s new strategy for 2026-2030. As a young research university with a strong commitment to serving our region and society, we deeply value the shared mission that unites us with our YERUN partners. Over the years, this network has become a vital space for collaboration, innovation, and mutual learning — inspiring us to think boldly and act together. We welcome the strategy’s focus on academic openness, cross-sector partnerships, and inclusive growth. These priorities reflect values we hold dear: sustainability, social responsibility, and interdisciplinary research. They also echo our own efforts to ensure that our teaching and research remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to the challenges of today and tomorrow. As we move forward, we are excited to work closely with YERUN colleagues to strengthen the voice of young research universities in shaping European higher education. We believe that by combining our strengths, sharing experiences, and supporting one another, we can create lasting impact — not only within our institutions but across the broader academic and societal landscape. – Professor Mandy Boehnke, Vice President for International Affairs, Academic Qualification and Diversity
University of Easter Finland
In YERUN’s 2026–2030 strategy, it is essential to highlight strong co‑operation, shared actions and our collective capacity to enhance our impact. When promoting our interests within European policy frameworks, we must clearly articulate – and more visibly advocate – how young research universities can contribute to the impact of science in the EU. This requires being well‑connected, flexible in collaboration with our partners and well-equipped to generate societal impact, including breakthrough solutions and diverse forms of innovation. – Professor Jussi Pihlajamäki, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation
University of Essex
As enthusiastic members of YERUN from the outset, and as a proud young institution in the UK, University of Essex warmly endorses the vision and mission set out in YERUN’s Strategy for 2026-2030. The document gives members a compelling rationale to work together and enhance our collective role and impact. The Strategy also provides members with the scope and tools to broaden and deepen the range of their fruitful collaborations with European peers. This comes at a critical time for UK universities, as we seek to take full advantage of the UK’s (re-)association to key European programmes like Horizon and Erasmus+. As Vice Chancellor, I am delighted to note that YERUN’s focus areas are aligned with our own priorities, and I look forward to ever-closer ties with YERUN Central Office and with our peer institutions, and to bringing insights from the UK sector to the development of European Higher Education policy and practice. – Professor Frances Bowen, Vice Chancellor
University of Klagenfourt
The University of Klagenfurt is positioned at the heart of a truly dynamic region. The south of Austria has always been shaped by multilingualism and intercultural exchange — a distinctive strength on which we can build with confidence. From this foundation, we can expand our reach in ever-widening circles, developing more and more smart regional and international collaborations: across the Alps–Adriatic area, and far beyond, together with partners throughout the YERUN network. Over recent years, the University has made significant strides towards a genuinely international profile — among both its students and its staff. Young universities, in particular, are uniquely well placed to attract and empower Early Career Researchers from around the world, accompanying them closely on their path with innovative methods, strong support structures, and inspiring formats for exchange. We also see strong alignment with the YERUN Strategy 2026–2030 at the intersection of evidence-based research and the Third Mission. Our ambition is not only to deepen understanding of the world we live in, but also to bring this knowledge into active dialogue with society — from science communication and strengthening democratic culture to creating enabling conditions for entrepreneurship. In doing so, we aim to contribute decisively to our shared goal: building resilient democratic societies. – Professor Jan Steinbrener, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs
University of Konstanz
The University of Konstanz and its YERUN partners look back on more than ten years of enriching collaboration and exchange on diverse and innovative approaches to the challenges we share. The new strategy further strengthens this approach and translates it into collective impact by enabling young research universities to take an even more prominent role in engaging with Europe’s key research, education, and innovation priorities. We particularly welcome the new strategic area, which strengthens the role of universities as key actors in connecting research with societal needs, policy dialogue, and decision-making. This is an area we are increasingly focusing on and believe merits even greater importance and strengthened engagement. The YERUN network offers a strong setting for collaboration and exchange among institutions that engage openly across sectors and remain closely attuned to the societal dynamics of their regions and beyond. As a reform-oriented university, we look ahead to advancing these shared priorities in the years ahead. – Professor Katharina Holzinger, Rector
University of Limerick
University of Limerick welcomes the new YERUN Strategy 2026-2030 as an essential roadmap that outlines why young European research universities matter and how we can collectively shape the future of Europe’s education, research and innovation landscape. As a university founded to meet societal needs, UL has a distinctive combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial thinking and strong civic commitment. This unique perspective, along with those of our YERUN partners, can be amplified through unified action as part of the network. The strategy is important as it positions young universities as key actors in European policymaking. By enhancing its visibility and influence, YERUN can ensure that our needs and perspectives are included in major EU initiatives around the future of higher education. A strong and coordinated voice in these areas is crucial for safeguarding academic values, strengthening research ecosystems and ensuring that innovation remains human centred and aligned with societal goals. The strategy emphasises collaboration as a defining strength of the network. By sharing best practices, fostering cross sector partnerships and developing new models of talent development and research cooperation we can raise our collective impact far beyond what any single institution could achieve alone. Having a strong, coherent voice in the sector is not only advantageous, it is essential for influencing Europe’s long-term direction and ensuring vibrant and relevant higher education sector. – Professor Shane Kilcommins, Acting President
University of Potsdam
Over the last year, the YERUN community has been working on a strategy for the coming years. Strategic processes require energy and time, but they are essential for positioning ourselves for the future. This process has been successful thanks to the collaboration of everyone involved in YERUN. I would particularly like to thank the Brussels office for their excellent coordination of the process. For UP, the most strategically relevant aspects of YERUN’s strategy are EU policy advocacy, the collective positioning of young research universities, and linking UP’s with Europe-wide agendas rather than purely national ones. Regarding the strategy’s field of action, “Policy Advocacy,” YERUN recently published a very strong statement on the upcoming Erasmus+ program. The cooperation of many important European institutions in this endeavor highlighted that YERUN’s positions do not stand alone. Secondly, for “Collaboration and Connectivity,” our university has provided funds for cooperation between UP and YERUN partners since the first day of our membership. For us, facilitating the connection of researchers remains a highly important goal. In the field of “Societal Impact and Academic Values,” the University of Potsdam places importance on knowledge transfer, teacher education, and regional engagement. YERUN echoes these goals and broadens them to address European societal challenges, open science, and trust in science. This alignment reinforces UP’s mission and enhances its standing in the international academic landscape. In summary, for the University of Potsdam, YERUN amplifies our strategic goals at the European level. – Professor Oliver Günther, President
University of South-Easter Norway
As YERUN moves into its next decade with a renewed strategy, we at USN look forward to contributing our regional strengths to this dynamic European network. For us, 2026 marks an important milestone, the “Total Defense Year.” At its core, this is about more than national preparedness, it is a reminder that knowledge, trust and cooperation are what truly make a society resilient. Many of the challenges we face, whether digital transformation, academic integrity or protecting our research environments, are shared across Europe. Through our collaboration within YERUN, we have an opportunity to turn academic openness into a powerful common resource in the face of disinformation and uncertainty. We want to equip our students to be responsible global citizens, people who value evidence, understand the world around them and appreciate the importance of international cooperation. As YERUN enters this new phase, we should show that European collaboration not only strengthens our universities but also helps build a more open and robust society for all. – Professor Pia Cecilie Bing-Jonsson, Rector; Stephan Hamberg, Vice Rector; Heidi Ormstad, Vice Rector
University of Southern Denmark
At SDU, we warmly welcome YERUN’s new Strategy 2026–2030, Thrive Together! It sets an ambitious course for the years ahead and builds on a remarkably successful first decade, during which YERUN has strengthened the voice of young research universities across Europe. YERUN comprises ambitious, strongly regionally anchored universities that strive every day for the highest international standards. This is clearly reflected in the strategy’s focus on enabling talent to thrive in all its dimensions, and on universities acting as open, responsible, and innovative partners that create knowledge and solutions with real societal value. We particularly appreciate the emphasis on deepening collaboration across the network, strengthening our collective impact in European dialogues, and translating shared priorities into concrete initiatives. SDU looks forward to contributing actively to this new phase and to putting action behind the words – so that, together, we truly thrive. – Professor Jens Ringsmose, Rector
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is proud to continue its membership of YERUN, ensuring our collective voice remains influential and central to Europe’s research and education agenda – crucial to shaping future Framework Programmes and supporting our re-engagement with European funding streams. Our membership offers valuable opportunities to contribute to the development of academic policy and practice while connecting with like‑minded universities across the continent. We are committed to advancing the Thriving Together YERUN strategy through active policy engagement, collaborative research, innovative teaching and talent development, grounded in shared academic values and a commitment to societal impact. These efforts support meaningful partnerships that underpin Stirling’s interconnected Research Missions, enhancing the quality of Spaces, Places and Lives. As we enter the New Year, we warmly welcome the University of Bath, whose membership will further strengthen our network at a pivotal moment for European higher education and research. To all our YERUN colleagues, I send my best wishes for the year ahead. – Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
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“Thrive together” marks the next stage in YERUN’s journey, setting a course toward the end of this eventful decade. YERUN members are eager to continue raising the voices of young research universities and to deliver an even stronger, more enduring impact in Europe and beyond. In a world where change is the only constant, young European research universities are well-equipped. They respond to uncertainty by learning from it and continuously questioning, adjusting, and evolving their ways of working. Combining scientific excellence with societal purpose, and working together through YERUN, young research universities are active engines contributing to a more innovative, inclusive and adaptable Europe. The next stage of YERUN’s journey requires agility, active presence and joint commitment. I look forward to continuing to lead our members as we advance into this next chapter with a strengthened vision for what we can achieve together. – Silvia Gómez Recio, YERUN Secretary General
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