Kick-off meeting of the European Project ACTRIS NEXT at IMT Nord Europe

44 European research institutes united by a common focus: atmospheric sciences

The Centre for Education, Research and Innovation Energy and Environment (CERI EE) of IMT Nord Europe was pleased to host and co-organize the kick-off meeting of the European project “ACTRIS NEXT” (INFRA-DEV Call), together with its first General Assembly, on 10 and 11 June 2026 in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.

The event brought together nearly 100 participants, including 60 attending on-site and 40 remotely, representing 44 European research institutes. The meeting was officially opened by Céline Fasulo, Director of IMT Nord Europe, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the IMT’s long-standing commitment to the European Research Infrastructure ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure). For more than a decade, IMT Nord Europe has actively contributed to ACTRIS through the European Topical Centre CiGas for reactive trace gases in-situ measurements, and through the ATOLL Observation National Facility.

In her opening speech, she also emphasized the importance of collaborative initiatives such as ACTRIS NEXT project, which bring together the atmospheric science community around a shared mission: delivering reliable, high-quality atmospheric observations for the benefit of research and society.

10 and 11 June 2026
at IMT Nord Europe,
Villeneuve d’Ascq campus

With a duration of 54 months, ACTRIS NEXT is structured around 8 work packages (WPs), all of which were presented during the two-day meeting. The project’s overarching goal is to consolidate and expand ACTRIS capacity to address pressing societal challenges related to the atmosphere and adaptability to emerging needs, while ensuring long-term sustainability, agile operational efficiency and pan-European relevance.

CERI EE will contribute in particular to WP1 (Increase ACTRIS capacities by consolidating processes) and WP5 (Community engagement).

Further information about the ACTRIS NEXT project is available in the article “Atmospheric sciences in the air of Europe”

Contact : Thérèse Salameh and Véronique Riffault

« We are proud to have hosted the launch of ACTRIS NEXT at IMT Nord Europe, a landmark project that strengthens European scientific cooperation in the field of atmospheric observation. This collective effort underscores our long-standing commitment within ACTRIS to addressing the major environmental and societal challenges of the future.»

Thérèse Salameh, researcher
Centre for Education, Research and Innovation in Energy Environment