Message from the FEMS President

It has been an honour to serve as FEMS President over the past two years. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this outstanding organisation and would like to sincerely thank the members of the FEMS Management Committee and Board for their constant support, as well as all our Member Societies for their engagement and commitment to the FEMS mission.

During my term, FEMS strengthened interaction among materials scientists and engineers across Europe through the successful organisation of FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2024 in Manchester (UK) and FEMS EUROMAT 2025 in Granada (Spain). FEMS EUROMAT 2025 was a particular highlight of my tenure as FEMS President—an impressive event that set a new benchmark for our conferences. I extend my special thanks to the Conference Chair, Prof Rodrigo Moreno, and Co-Chair, Asst Prof Anna Zervaki.

In collaboration with the FEMS Strategic Advisory Group, we continued the FEMS Industry Symposium series. We have agreed that these symposia will take place regularly in the years between FEMS EUROMAT conferences, and details of the next symposium will be announced soon.

A key objective of my presidency was to enhance FEMS international visibility. To this end, we signed Memoranda of Understanding with the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), opening new opportunities for joint activities that will benefit our members and the wider materials community.

We also strengthened FEMS role within the European materials science ecosystem through engagement with EU policymakers and participation in major initiatives, including the European Advanced Materials Academy.

I warmly congratulate Prof Paula Vilarinho, our new FEMS President, and Prof Rodrigo Moreno, our new Vice-President for 2026-2027. I look forward to working with them, continuing my involvement with FEMS asImmediate Past President, and meeting many of you at the FEMS Junior EUROMAT in Trikala, Greece, in July 2026.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a joyful holiday season, health, happiness, and success in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Prof Aldo R Boccaccini
FEMS President (2024–2025)

Message from the Immediate Past President

As I conclude my time on the FEMS Board, I do so with sincere gratitude. Being elected to serve as FEMS President in 2022–2023 was a great honour and a highlight of my professional journey.

The past two years, in the role of Immediate Past President, and my close cooperation with the Management Committee and the Board have been equally rewarding. I am deeply thankful for the trust of the FEMS community and for the many colleagues whose commitment, openness, and shared passion made this journey so meaningful.

I leave with warm memories, lasting appreciation, and strong confidence in the future of FEMS—because once FEMS, always FEMS.

Asst Prof Anna D Zervaki
Immediate Past President, FEMS (2024–2025)

FEMS EUROMAT 2025 – Highlights

FEMS EUROMAT 2025, held in Granada, Spain, brought together the European and international materials science community for an outstanding week of scientific exchange, collaboration, and celebration. Hosted by SOCIEMAT – Sociedad Española de Materiales, the conference once again demonstrated the unique spirit of EUROMAT: excellent science, strong community engagement, and a shared vision for the future of materials science and engineering.

The opening day featured two outstanding plenary lectures:

• Prof Mário Ferreira, recipient of the FEMS European Materials Gold Medal 2025, spoke on Sustainable and Smart Materials for Corrosion Protection.
• Prof Sergio T Amancio Filho, recipient of the FEMS Materials Innovation Medal 2025, with a lecture on Engineering Hybrid Structures: Advanced Joining Meets Additive.

Throughout the week, participants enjoyed a rich scientific programme, including inspiring plenary lectures by leading researchers such as Dr-Ing Sarah Fischer, winner of the FEMS Materials Science & Technology Prize 2025, Prof Rosa Menéndez, Prof Franz Faupel, Prof Dr Stefan Pogatscher, and Prof Sarah Haigh. Parallel sessions covered the full breadth of materials science and engineering, complemented by poster sessions and informal networking moments.

A special highlight was the FEMS Industry Workshop, endorsed by E-MRS, on Materials Assisted by Digital Science: Revolution, Benefits and Risks for Industry, which sparked lively discussions on the transformative role of digital tools in both research and industry.

EUROMAT 2025 also placed strong emphasis on community building and future talent. The FEMS General Assembly, held in hybrid format, brought together representatives of FEMS Member Societies to review ongoing activities and discuss the future direction of the Federation.

Another key moment was the FEMS Master Thesis Award 2025, where six outstanding finalists presented their work. The award recognised excellence among young researchers nominated by FEMS Member Societies. The results were:

• Winner: Marta Zarzuela Amor (SOCIEMAT, Spain)
• 2nd Place: João Lopes Miranda (SPM, Portugal)
• 3rd Place: Antonios Sarikas (HSSTCM, Greece)

Their participation highlighted the strength and diversity of emerging talent across Europe.

The week concluded with the closing ceremony, including awards for the best posters and the announcement of future venues: FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2026 in Trikala (Greece) and FEMS EUROMAT 2027 in Graz (Austria).

FEMS warmly thanks the Congress Chairs Prof Rodrigo Moreno and Asst Prof Anna Zervaki, the managing and scientific committees, all speakers and participants, and especially SOCIEMAT for their excellent organisation and warm hospitality.

FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2026

2–16 July 2026 | Trikala, Greece

FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2026 will take place in Trikala, Greece, from 12 to 16 July 2026. Organised by the Hellenic Metallurgical Society (HMS), this flagship event brings together students and early-career materials scientists and engineers from across Europe and beyond.

The conference will continue its mission to inspire, develop, and celebrate the next generation of materials researchers, offering a high-quality scientific programme combined with unique opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional development.

Important Dates

• Deadline for abstract submission: 10 January 2026
• Notification of review results: 23 February 2026
• Early registration deadline: 15 May 2026

Registration is now open, and participants are encouraged to submit their abstracts and secure their place at this key event for early-career researchers.

👉 Mark your calendars and join us in Trikala for FEMS Junior EUROMAT 2026.
More information: https://junioreuromat2026.fems.eu

FEMS EUROMAT 2027

19th European Congress and Exhibition on Advanced Materials and Processes
12–16 September 2027

FEMS EUROMAT 2027, the 19th European Congress and Exhibition on Advanced Materials and Processes, will take place from 12 to 16 September 2027.

The Call for Abstracts will open in July 2026, with the abstract submission deadline set for 31 January 2027. Further details on the scientific programme, venue, and organisation will be announced in due course.

👉 Save the date and stay tuned for more information:
https://euromat2027.fems.eu

FEMS News & Strategic Initiatives

FEMS and TMS sign MoU to establish the joint Early Career Leaders International Scholar Programme

FEMS and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) have formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement establishes a framework to strengthen international cooperation between the two societies, with a particular emphasis on supporting early-career researchers and fostering transatlantic engagement in materials science and engineering. More information: https://fems.org/fems-and-tms-sign-mou-to-establish-the-joint-early-career-leaders-international-scholar-programme/

Within this context of growing collaboration, FEMS wishes to highlight TMS2026 – the 55th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, one of the major international events in materials science and engineering.

TMS2026 – 55th Annual Meeting & Exhibition
📅 15–19 March 2026
📍 San Diego, California, USA

Details on registration and travel, the technical programme, workshops and short courses, and social events are available at:
👉 https://www.tms.org/TMS2026

FEMS encourages its members to explore this opportunity and to engage with the broader international materials science community through this important event.

FEMS and E-MRS sign first-ever Memorandum of Understanding

The Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) and the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on joint activities.

As an initial step, the MoU outlines the organization of joint FEMS-E-MRS symposia within the framework of E-MRS meetings and EUROMAT conferences. Additional joint initiatives are expected to follow, with the potential to significantly influence the landscape of materials science both in Europe and worldwide.

Joint E-MRS–FEMS Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Materials Science & Engineering successfully held in Brussels on 23 January 2025

Co-organised by the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) and the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS), this significant event was conducted under the auspices of the European Commission DG Research & Innovation Directorate E – Prosperity.

This symposium marks the first major collaboration between E-MRS and FEMS in nearly a decade, showing a renewed commitment to interdisciplinary research and European partnerships in materials innovation.

In this context, FEMS is pleased to promote the 2026 E-MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit, organised in collaboration with the Foundation Jean-Marie Lehn. The event will take place from 25 to 29 May 2026 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre of Strasbourg, France.

The E-MRS Spring Meeting is a major international forum for materials research, bringing together scientists, engineers, and industry representatives to discuss recent advances across a broad range of topics.

FEMS looks forward to the active participation of its community in helping shape an outstanding E-MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit 2026.

Key date

• Abstract submission deadline: 21 January 2026

👉 More information:
https://www.european-mrs.com/meetings/2026-spring-meeting-exhibit

FEMS and ESB sign Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration

The Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) and the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB) have formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement marks an important step towards fostering synergies between the two societies, encouraging cross-disciplinary research, and promoting joint activities that benefit their respective communities. More information: https://fems.org/collaborations/partnerships/

              Launch of the European Advanced Materials Academy

FEMS congratulates the European Commission and the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) on the launch of the European Advanced Materials Academy (AMAcademy), officially presented during the EIT Education & Skills Days 2025 in Brussels.

This initiative is a key contribution to the EU’s Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership Strategy and the forthcoming Advanced Materials Act (2026) — both central pillars of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal and the Union of Skills agenda.

👉 Learn more: European Advanced Materials Academy – European Commission

              FEMS online event on 29 January 2025 exploring the intersection of AI and Materials Science, co-chaired by Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini and Dr. Gerhard Hackl

On 29 January 2025, the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) hosted an insightful online event exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Materials Science. The event was co-chaired by Prof Aldo R Boccaccini, FEMS President, and Dr Gerhard Hackl, FEMS Strategy Advisory Group (SAG) Chair. Bringing together leading experts from industry and academia, the discussion highlighted AI’s transformative potential in materials research, its challenges, and the opportunities it presents for accelerating innovation in the field.

The event also introduced the AI in Industry Symposium, which took place at FEMS EUROMAT 2025. FEMS remains committed to fostering discussions on emerging technologies like AI and their influence on materials science.