Public Affairs

As the capital of the European Union (EU), Brussels is home not only to the EU institutions, but also to the Brussels representations of thousands of organisations, public and private – much like the UM Brussels Hub. This creates a unique opportunity to build networks that strengthen our international collaborations with strategic partners from across the globe.   

The Hub regularly represents UM in meetings and platforms to establish connections that the entire UM community can benefit from. This ranges from policy-makers, through Brussels-based university liaison offices, researchers from other organisations, and our own UM alumni community in the EU capital. Having a good network is a precondition for organising activities in Brussels and for accessing information on upcoming policy and funding initiatives before they are available to the public, which gives UM an edge over other universities that do not have their own Brussels office. Check out a selection of past activities organised in Brussels here

Monitoring and advising on EU policy at Maastricht University's Brussels Hub ensures the university's interests are represented, influencing higher education and research funding decisions. This role identifies and secures EU funding, fostering financial and academic growth. It also connects the university with EU institutions and stakeholders, enhancing its profile and impact in Europe and positioning it as a leader in shaping European education and research policy. To take advantage of all these possibilities, the Hub works closely with Academic Affairs and the faculty-based funding advisors. The Hub participates in the UniLion network which comprises of 54 liaison offices from over 150 universities, pools expertise to monitor EU policy and funding, facilitating consortia for EU-funded projects. The network also gives UM access to both the research departments and the executive leadership of member universities; this makes it an excellent arena through which to build consortia for EU-funded projects, which increases UM’s opportunities to obtain funding.

Positioning UM and advocating for its interests is important to ensure the university's priorities are represented in policy discussions, which can influence decisions affecting higher education and research funding. It also enhances the university's visibility and reputation, attracts funding opportunities, fosters collaborations, and positions UM as a leader in the academic community. This strategic advocacy supports the university's growth, innovation, and impact on European and global education policies. For example the Hub contributed to a YERUN (Young European Research Universities) position paper on enhancing academic careers. This involvement highlights the importance of positioning UM and advocating for its interests by influencing policies that affect academic careers, raising the university's profile, and showcasing its commitment to improving academic standards. It fosters strategic partnerships, supports young academics, and aligns UM with EU priorities, thereby enhancing its reputation and impact within the European academic community. Read the position paper here.

Increasing UM's opportunities to obtain EU research and innovation funding is crucial for advancing its research capabilities and academic growth. Identifying funding opportunities before they are publicly available allows UM to prepare competitive proposals ahead of time, giving it a strategic advantage. Additionally, facilitating UM's participation in brokerage events connects researchers with potential partners and collaborators, increasing the chances of securing funding through well-formed consortia and innovative project ideas. These efforts in-turn, aim to increase UM's funding and enhance its reputation and influence in European research.