European Researchers' Night 2025 brings over 90 activities to the streets of Downtown Coimbra
Taking place from 5 pm to midnight, this year's event features 93 activities for all ages, organised by over 600 scientists from the University of Coimbra.
Coimbra’s downtown will once again host the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) on 26 September, featuring 93 activities organised by over 600 UC researchers. This year, 70 volunteer doctoral students will share their 'science objects' — items that illustrate their ongoing research.
The Science Route, promoted by the UC through the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), will take place in Largo da Portagem, Rua Ferreira Borges, Rua Visconde da Luz and Praça 8 de Maio. Along the route, shopkeepers will keep their doors open, allowing the public to explore numerous UC research centres and laboratories across all fields of knowledge. Through presentations, experiments, games, roundtables, and more, visitors can get a closer look at the research conducted daily at the University of Coimbra to tackle societal challenges.
In addition to demonstrating how research is conducted and its impact on daily life, the European Researchers' Night aims to increase public interest in science and research careers through activities that illustrate the crucial role of science in societal progress. The event also provides an opportunity for scientists and visitors to share their concerns and expectations regarding current challenges.
As part of ERN, the Researchers@School initiative has been running throughout the year in several schools across Coimbra. The initiative brings the school community closer to science, promoting scientific literacy and raising awareness of the role of research in tackling global challenges.
European Researchers' Night activities are funded by Horizon Europe through a consortium of nine partners in Portugal: University of Coimbra; University of Lisbon (through the National Museum of Natural History and Science); Lisbon NOVA School of Science and Technology; ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon; Estoril Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotel Studies; Lisbon City Council; School of Sciences of the University of Minho; the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL); and the University of Évora (HERCULES Laboratory).
More information about the ERN programme in Coimbra is available here.