The future challenges facing chemicals safety, sustainability and innovation will require new scientific approaches and stronger collaboration across disciplines.
We are looking for ideas that advance practical, science-based approaches to chemical safety assessment, risk assessment, risk management or sustainability, particularly in areas such as:
- Environmental fate and exposure
Research on improving environmental exposure models, furthering assessments for (bio)degradation and fate, understanding long-range transport, and developing approaches for emerging concerns and substances.
- Non-animal testing, NAMs
Work that furthers regulatory acceptance and scientific confidence as well as research to move from reliance on animal studies toward mechanistic, (eco)toxicologically relevant approaches. Special emphasis on computational and artificial intelligence but also interested on integration of in vitro systems, omics technologies, and exposure science that align for future regulatory use.
- Sustainability and circularity
Understanding the implications of chemical use and reuse, assessing impacts on ecosystems, and developing approaches that integrate safety and sustainability into innovation.
- Other emerging scientific topics where ECETOC and/or Cefic LRI can add value through collaborative, cross-sector expertise.
This is for areas that are of importance but not listed in the topics above, includes but is not limited to mixtures, biodiversity, endocrine disruption, analytical methods, etc.
Selected proposals may become future ECETOC scientific activities (task forces, workshops, transformational programmes) or Cefic-LRI research projects, helping to drive practical, science-based solutions for chemicals safety and sustainability.
Submissions are welcome from scientists and experts from academia, industry, regulatory authorities, government, NGOs and other organisations with relevant expertise.
Submit your proposal by 30 September 2026.
To learn more about current activities:
- ECETOC activities: Areas of work – ECETOC
- Cefic LRI projects: Projects – Cefic-LRI
Successful submissions will be explored at the joint Scoping Meeting in February 2027. Experts from across sectors and disciplines will identify, discuss and prioritise new scientific activities and research initiatives that address emerging challenges in chemicals safety, sustainability and innovation. The event will take place in Brussels at the venue Cardo – Av. du Boulevard 14, 1210 Brussels.
You may submit your proposal at this link.
How to submit a proposal?
To submit a proposal, please complete the submission form by 30 September 2026 (close of business).
Please note:
- Only complete proposals received by the submission deadline will be considered.
- Priority will be given to proposals that are clearly written, address emerging scientific, policy or regulatory challenges, and demonstrate strategic, long-term relevance.
- Proposals containing only a title, or where the proposed activity is insufficiently described, will not be considered.
Proposal selection process
- Initial review
The ECETOC and Cefic LRI will convene a group of experts to review all submitted proposals by end of November 2026 and select those to be presented at the Scoping Meeting in February 1-3, 2027 in Brussels.
- Presentation and discussion
If your proposal is shortlisted, you (or a nominated colleague) will be expected to attend the Scoping Meeting in person. Shortlisted proposals will be presented as a brief elevator pitch, followed by discussion in breakout groups. Participants at the event will then cast an indicative vote to help inform the prioritisation of proposals by the ECETOC Scientific Committee and the Cefic LRI Expert Groups.
- Final prioritisation
Following the Scoping Meeting, the ECETOC Scientific Committee and the Cefic LRI Expert Groups will review the outcomes of the discussions and indicative vote before making the final decision on which proposals to take forward.
- Implementation
If your proposal is selected:
For ECETOC, you will be expected to play a leading role in its implementation , working closely with the team.
For Cefic-LRI, the project will be developed into a request for proposal to receive expressions of interest from the broader research community.
