Una Europa - Synthetic Soft Materials: from Molecular to Nano and Colloidal Systems

This workshop is open for applicants, please use the yellow "Register" button on the right. Deadline: 29th of August 2026. 

This workshop is the third of four Una Europa mini-workshops, meant to bring together Una researchers, with a focus on junior faculty (tenure track, assistant and associate professor level). It offers an opportunity to meet Una colleagues, showcase ongoing research and research aims, and identify possible collaborations. 

The scope of the workshop will be synthetic soft matter, with an emphasis on designer soft matter and emergent phenomena. The program will cover the broad range of synthetic soft matter systems from the molecular and nano scales to the colloidal and granular ones. Some specific topics include, but are not limited to, the bottom-up creations of materials, the strategies for synthesis and self-assembly, the nano-engineering of soft interfaces, the properties of functional and stimuli-responsive materials, the dynamics of active and smart, life-like, materials.

Poster and discussion sessions, in the informal atmosphere of the Lorentz Center, will be part of the program.

All participants will present their work in an oral presentation. In addition, all participants are welcome to bring a poster to foster informal discussion.

All participants are provided with accommodation at “Tulip Inn Leiden” for the 2 nights, courtesy of our local Una Europa team at Leiden University. Also included are lunch tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday, and a workshop dinner. Under Una Europa rules, travel costs must be borne by the sending universities, institutes, or research groups. If no finances are available, an application for support can be made to the workshop organizers. Funds for this, however, are very limited.

What about costs and funding? 

There are no registration fees for this programme. Leiden University will arrange two nights’ accommodation, two lunches, and a workshop dinner for you. 

Remaining travel costs should be covered by your home institution. Please check with your local Una Europa team for available funding opportunities. 

If no local funding is available and you still wish to participate, you may apply for limited travel funding from Leiden University. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

To be considered for funding from Leiden University, please follow these steps: 

1. Check with your local Una Europa team about funding possibilities. 

1. If they are unable to cover your travel costs, you should still apply for the workshop of your choice. 

1. If you are selected for a workshop, you can then apply for travel funding from Leiden University. Your request will be evaluated at that stage. 

Please note: The Leiden University team cannot respond to individual funding questions before the selection process has been completed. 

EC acknowledgement (kan helemaal onderaan op de pagina geplaatst worden) 

This event is initiated as part of the Una Europa for Researchers activity under Una.Futura.

Please note: the maximum number of participants will be about 20. Participation is limited to researchers affiliated with universities that are part of the UNA Europa network (see https://www.una-europa.eu/about ). In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to a balanced representation of the Una partners, as well as to junior faculty.