As part of the ModConFlex project, the EU funds thirteen doctoral students at eight universities in five countries. A major  focus is on international research experience: the doctoral students complete their doctorate at a university in a country in which they have lived only briefly or not at all during the three years preceeding g their employment. During their doctorate, they also spend two two-month research stays at other universities and one three-month stay at a non-university institution or an industrial partner.

Once a year, all doctoral students, supervisors and other project participants come together to discuss organisational issues as well as the scientific progress of the individual projects. The programme is supplemented by lectures and training courses on relevant additional qualifications such as science communication and project applications. A highlight of the meeting is the  "Presentation Prize" for the best doctoral presentation.

In addition to the scientific cooperation, the meetings allow personal dialogue. Whether during the breaks or over dinner together - the dialogue in Besançon once again ranged from research ideas and theories to everyday matters and also strengthened the network beyond academia.

The fourth and final network meeting will take place in June next year at Wuppertal. Afterwards, the project team will host a three-day final conference entitled "Modelling and Control of Flexible Structures Interacting with Fluids", at which external researchers will present their current work alongside those involved in the project.

https://modconflex.uni-wuppertal.de/de/