Save the date - ENABLE On-Site Training for Organ-on-Chip technology: Your Hands-On Days at Tübingen
25. - 27. January 2026 | 3R-Center for In-vitro-Models and Alternatives to Animal Testing (Germany)
The STEP4NAMs ENABLE
On-Site Training is coming to Tübingen! Are you an SME in the BioPharma or
MedTech sector interested in exploring how Organ-on-Chip technology can support
your R&D workflows? Mark your calendar for the first
STEP4NAMs ENABLE On-Site Training at the 3R-Center for In-vitro-Models and
Alternatives to Animal Testing in Tübingen, Germany.
During this 2.5-day training,
participants will gain practical insights into Organ-on-Chip technology, from
microfabrication, material selection and cell seeding to fluidics, readout
strategies and real-world applications.
A small reminder for everyone interested
in joining: participation requires completion of the STEP4NAMs EDUCATE online
modules in advance: STEP4NAMs Core Module & Sub-Module 1: Organ-on-Chip
Both modules are available free of
charge via the STEP4NAMs Moodle platform.
More information on the application process will follow soon, but now is the perfect time to start with EDUCATE and prepare for the upcoming training.
EUROTOX 2026 congress - Toxicology without borders
13. - 16. September 2026| Vienna (Austria)
Under the theme “Toxicology without borders” EUROTOX 2026 will bring together scientists from academia, industry and regulatory bodies to explore the latest advances in toxicology, exchange knowledge and strengthen collaborations.
EUROTOX 2026 will be held at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV), Austria’s largest congress venue. It is minutes from Vienna’s historic city center and easily accessible by public transport. The ACV provides flexible spaces for plenary sessions, symposia, workshops and industrial exhibitions but also allows informal and inspiring networking formats.
The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) compiled a comprehensive and well-balanced programme addressing the newest aspects and developments in toxicology. Furthermore, the programme includes three “Short Oral communication sessions”. Respective presentations will be selected from submitted abstracts to allow young researchers to present their work.
The social programme offers on Monday, a reception at the famous city hall of Vienna. On Tuesday, the Vienna Concert House opens its doors for a gala dinner. In a venue renowned for its musical heritage and timeless elegance, we invite you to join for a night of excellent cuisine, great company and the unique charm of Vienna.
Advanced Innovation Challenges - Pilot
What is the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges ?
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges aim to support high-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovation with transformative potential especially in areas where there is extensive research but lack of commercial uptake.
This pilot aims to assess whether competitive, stage-gated support can accelerate the path to market for high-risk deep tech innovations, and whether early integration of demand-side actors can enhance the relevance, validation, and ultimately the uptake of breakthrough solutions. The pilot will provide evidence on whether these mechanisms lead to more efficient innovation cycles and broader market adoption than other instruments within Horizon Europe.
The EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges are shaped and steered by EIC Programme Managers, in collaboration with users and ecosystem actors, to ensure strong alignment between cutting-edge science, demand, and policy priorities.
2026 Challenge 2: Translating Disruptive New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into Practice
NAMs have the potential to replace, reduce or refine animal use in the testing of medicinal products. This Challenge competition therefore looks to accelerate the adoption of NAMs in biomedicine and support companies that want to bring NAMs to the market.
A Moonshot for NAMs
Leveraging non-animal methods to position Europe as global leader in health research
Crafting a European Moonshot Strategy for NAMs - The BioMed21 Collaboration approach
The explanatory memorandum of the draft regulation establishing Horizon Europe for the 2028-2034 period outlines plans for moonshot projects, defining them as “projects with a strong scientific component, boosting EU-wide value creation and strategic autonomy” and organised around a “coherent sequence between research and innovation, demonstration, development and deployment, focusing efforts and funding, from the EU and national, public and private sector”. The memorandum provides an indicative list of possible moonshot projects and although transitioning biomedical research to NAMs is not one of them, the Commission proposes “investing in innovative therapies for human regeneration for healthier lives and a stronger economy” and “address diseases that have currently no cure”, as well as “developing and applying the world’s next generation AI”. Such projects can only be a success if the EU also invests substantially in human-centred NAMs.
Past STEP4NAMs Events
ENABLE On-Site Training: Your Hands-On Day at ATU Ireland
The training was structured as a full-day programme combining introductory context, hands-on lab work, and applied strategy sessions. For participants:
- gain an overview of STEP4NAMs and ATU's Medical & Engineering Technologies (MET) Centre
- explore NAMs in the context of MedTech preclinical evaluation
- set up and operate vascular in vitro test systems
- navigate and deploy devices under real-time fluoroscopy imaging, including clot retrieval scenarios
- work with bioplotter-based fabrication to produce anatomically relevant vascular models
- develop 2D/planar navigation models and discuss how bench-top testing fits into regulatory development pipelines
Info Webinar for the STEP4NAMs training & support programme
The STEP4NAMs project is launching a comprehensive training and support programme designed to support the uptake of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) as alternatives to animal testing in the BioPharma and MedTech sectors.
As
regulatory frameworks evolve and innovative technologies mature, the adoption
of NAMs increasingly requires not only technical solutions, but also skills
development, regulatory awareness and practical readiness among stakeholders.
The STEP4NAMs programme addresses these needs through a structured, modular and
accessible approach.
About the webinar
STEP4NAMs Webinar for ENABLE & APPLY of training programme on NAMs
During the webinar, participants will receive:
- An introduction to the STEP4NAMs ENABLE and APPLY programmes
- A clear overview of the available support formats for SMEs
- Information about hands-on trainings, mentoring and technical support
- Insights into industrial collaboration opportunities through APPLY
- Guidance on eligibility criteria, application procedures and timelines
- Details about the ENABLE On-Site Training at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) on 17 June 2026
- Examples of industrial challenges and first Challenge Providers
- Practical advice on identifying the most suitable programme format for your company
About the webinar