Highlights of the Kick-off Meeting
The project Kick-Off Meeting took place on 15–16 January 2026 in Toulouse, France. Hosted by Toulouse INP – Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, the event brought together representatives from all partner institutions of the MSCA Doctoral Network, with 17 participants attending in person and 5 joining online, including a representative of the MSCA Doctoral Networks Board.
The meeting opened with a welcome address by the Vice-President of Toulouse INP, Renaud Ansart, followed by a presentation of the network and the meeting programme by the Scientific Coordinator, David Fabre (Toulouse-INP/IMFT), and the Project Manager, Vincent Kretz (University of Toulouse).
During the first day, participants collectively reviewed key aspects related to the successful management of the network, including dissemination, exploitation and communication procedures, administrative organisation, financial management, timeline, milestones and deliverables, in line with MSCA requirements.
The preparation of the training programme, which will include four one-week network events complemented by several online training activities, was discussed in depth. Exchanges also focused on the human aspects of PhD supervision and recruitment strategies, with the aim of sharing good practices and agreeing on common procedures across the consortium.
The scientific programme of the network was presented through an overview of the research projects of the 15 doctoral candidates (DCs) to be recruited. Particular emphasis was placed on industrial relevance, interactions between DCs, and the secondment plans that will enable mobility within the network. Special attention was given to the multidisciplinary ambitions of FairCFD, including open-science practices and the development of metrics to assess the energetic, environmental and social impacts of CFD-based research, as well as the human dimensions of the transition towards sustainability in the research community.
The final afternoon was devoted to a collaborative workshop entitled “The Numerical Collage”, which provided an informal setting for participants to collectively reflect on the societal and environmental implications of digital technologies—one of the key concerns of the network—while fostering a friendly and cohesive atmosphere within the consortium.
The network is now ready to enter its next phase, with the recruitment of the 15 doctoral candidates who will form the core of the project.
