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Brno University of Technology (BUT) recently hosted a European funding expert from Finland’s LUT University. The purpose of Dr. Karthikeyan Natarajan’s visit was to deepen strategic cooperation on Horizon Europe projects and to exchange expertise in research administration, energy, and sustainability.FSI hosted Dr. Natarajana.The visit of Dr. Karthikeyan Natarajan, Research Funding Advisor at LUT University, marks an important step in the development of international cooperation between the two institutions. BUT and LUT share a strong commitment to research excellence and the effective use of European funding instruments. The primary objective of the visit was to establish closer collaboration with BUT’s European Funding Team and lay the foundations for future joint research and project activities.The programme began at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME), where Dr. Natarajan met with Associate Professor Radek Kalousek, Professor Jiří Pospíšil, Associate Professor Martin Pavlas, and Blanka Marušincová.The agenda also included a tour of the faculty’s laboratories and research facilities, as well as discussions on opportunities for expanding joint research activities. During the visit, Dr. Natarajan gained insight into research in combustion processes, fluid flow, heat transfer, thermal comfort, fuel spray atomisation, thermal energy storage, and CO₂ capture technologies. He praised not only the quality of BUT’s research infrastructure but also the enthusiasm and dedication of the researchers who presented their work and findings.A key topic of the meetings was cooperation on international projects and the exchange of experience in project preparation and implementation, particularly within the framework of the EULiST European university alliance, of which both institutions are members. During brainstorming sessions and working meetings with representatives of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, several promising opportunities for future joint proposals under Clusters 4 and 5 of Horizon Europe were identified. The two universities have already selected several topics for collaborative project development in preparation for the 2027 calls.A significant part of the programme was devoted to training sessions and workshops focused on preparing successful RIA(Research and Innovation Actions) and IA (Innovation Actions) proposals under Horizon Europe. Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, representatives of project support departments, and doctoral candidates participated in the workshops led by Dr. Natarajan, focusing on identifying suitable calls for 2026, particularly in the fields of energy, industry, and the Mission Cities initiative. The interactive sessions also provided an opportunity to exchange experience in proposal development and explore a broad range of European research funding opportunities.“Brno is a beautiful city, and BUT offers a truly inspiring environment for education and research. I greatly appreciated the openness and professionalism of my colleagues at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, who organised a series of productive meetings, workshops, and laboratory visits. I had the opportunity to explore outstanding research infrastructure and discuss topics ranging from energy and CO₂ capture technologies to sustainable urban development. This visit has opened a strong pathway for future collaboration between LUT University and the BUT Energy Institute. By combining our strengths through Horizon Europe projects, we can deliver impactful research and innovation that benefits both industry and society,” said Dr. Karthikeyan Natarajan.Dr. Karthikeyan Natarajan with Ing. Zdeněk Vejpustek, Ph.D.In addition to administrative and strategic topics, the visit also addressed current challenges related to sustainable development. The program included a visit to the Faculty of Architecture, where Dr Natarajan learned about the BIOM project, introduced by Ing. Zdeněk Vejpustek, PhD, one of its founders. The project, which explores the transformation of megacities into sustainable and high-quality living environments, made a strong impression on him and was described as an inspiring example of a visionary approach to the development of future cities. He also discussed the monitoring and reduction of BUT’s carbon footprint with university representatives.The cooperation between the two universities holds significant potential for developing joint European projects. One tangible outcome is an emerging Horizon Europe proposal focused on the clean utilisation of biomass through gasification technologies. The growing partnership between BUT and LUT University is therefore contributing not only to knowledge exchange and collaborative project development but also to the establishment of long-term research cooperation between expert teams at both institutions. Together, the universities aim to develop solutions addressing current challenges in energy, sustainability, and industrial innovation while delivering benefits to European society and the economy.The Department of Internationalization also contributed to the successful organization of the visit. Through the BUT Welcome Service, organizational and coordination support was provided to help ensure the smooth running of the programme. Thank you!Welcoming Dr. Natarajan at Faculty of Architecture