From October 6–8, 2025, ELLIS Munich participated in the 2nd ELLIS Coordinators Retreat, an event that brought together representatives from 21 ELLIS Units, the ELLIS Institute Finland, the ELLIS Operations Team, Area Coordinators, and collaborators from ELSA and ELIAS. Hosted by the three Dutch ELLIS Units (Nijmegen, Delft, and Amsterdam), the retreat offered a dedicated space to align network-wide priorities, reflect on shared challenges, and explore new models for collaboration.

Day 1: Nijmegen – Community Overview & Scientific Exchange

The retreat opened at Radboud University with a snapshot of ongoing scientific work across ELLIS, including short talks and a poster session that highlighted opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing among units.

Day 2: Delft – Strategy, Programs & Future Directions

At Mondai | House of AI, coordinators received updates on major ELLIS programs and heard from ELSA and ELIAS, before joining roundtable discussions on strengthening inter-unit collaboration and addressing shared operational challenges.

Day 3: Amsterdam – Academia–Industry Collaboration

The final day at LAB42 focused on models for academic–industry partnerships, featuring contributions from ICAI labs and several ELLIS Units, with ELLIS Munich presenting its current activities and approaches to industry engagement.

Strengthening the Network

Building on the success of the inaugural retreat in 2024, this year’s edition continued to deepen connections across the European AI community. The event highlighted the growing role of coordinators in shaping operational strategy, supporting scientific excellence, and reinforcing the collaborative culture that defines ELLIS.

The retreat concluded with a sense of shared purpose and renewed commitment to building a strong and sustainable foundation for  AI made in Europe.

For more information about the retreat, you can read the full news article here