Consortium set to increase influence in Brussels and broaden funding base
At the 8th LEAPS Plenary Meeting, Prof. Thomas Feurer was welcomed as the 2026 Chair of the League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources. Feurer is also Chairman of the Management Board of European XFEL and succeeds Prof. Jakub Szlachetko from the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS in Krakow, Poland.
“It is an honour to be chairing LEAPS,” said Feurer, who attended the meeting remotely. “I am looking forward to continuing the excellent work that has been done here in recent years.” A significant milestone for LEAPS under Feurer’s leadership will be its registration as an international non-profit association under Belgian law in spring 2026. “This will result in stronger visibility and influence in Brussels and beyond, enhancing our ability to form cross-sectoral partnerships in Europe”, Feurer explained.
As a non-profit entity, LEAPS will facilitate collaboration agreements in science and technology between its members and help coordinate funding. Feurer is looking to broaden the funding base for European photon science by pursuing multi-partner opportunities, including partnerships with industry consortia. While building an increased presence at EU level, he also intends to align LEAPS more closely with national roadmaps.
The LEAPS chairmanship was ceremonially handed over at the consortium meeting. Prof. Serguei Molodtsov, Scientific Director of European XFEL, accepted the symbolic baton on Thomas Feurer’s behalf.
Read more on the European XFEL website
Image: Prof. Serguei Molodtsov, Scientific Director of European XFEL, accepts the symbolic chairmanship baton on Thomas Feurer’s behalf
Credit: Joanna Kowalik