Graphene Week 2026 brings the global 2D materials community to Porto for the first time

Organised by the Graphene Flagship, Graphene Week has spent more than two decades connecting science, industry and education to accelerate the development and application of graphene and 2D materials. The 2026 edition will continue that tradition with a diverse programme spanning fundamental research, emerging technologies, industrial innovation, entrepreneurship, career development, diversity and European research and innovation opportunities.

At the heart of the programme is a strong scientific line-up featuring internationally recognised experts including Nobel Laureate Andre Geim, Andras Kis, Anna Andersson, Claudia Backes, Mark C. Hersam and Rodney Ruoff. More than 200 speakers will contribute to the programme, showcasing the latest advances and emerging directions across the 2D materials field.

But Graphene Week is designed to be more than a scientific conference. Alongside plenary and parallel sessions, participants will find an Innovation Forum, industrial presentations, project workshops, poster sessions, an exhibition and a 2D materials demo showcase. Dedicated activities will also support early-career researchers, diversity and professional development.

“Bringing Graphene Week to Portugal for the first time is a wonderful opportunity to connect the international 2D materials community with the outstanding research and innovation taking place here. Portugal has a strong and growing presence in advanced materials, from internationally recognised research centres to innovative companies developing graphene technologies. I am particularly pleased that we can showcase this ecosystem in Porto and create new connections between Portuguese researchers and businesses and colleagues from across Europe and beyond,” said Elvira Fortunato, Chair of Graphene Week 2026 from Universidade NOVA.

The Portuguese contribution is visible throughout the programme. Researchers and innovators from organisations including the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), CICECO, NOVA University Lisbon, the University of Porto ecosystem and Portuguese companies HyCarb and Graphenest will contribute to the conference. The Innovation Forum will feature a dedicated session on “Portugal’s graphene value chain”, highlighting how research, entrepreneurship and industrial development are coming together in the country.

The event will also provide a platform for international collaboration. On 22 September, Graphene Flagship will host its first “EU-Brazil International Workshop”, bringing researchers and innovators from Europe and Brazil together to explore shared priorities and opportunities in graphene and 2D materials. The workshop aims to establish new partnerships and strengthen long-term cooperation between the two research and innovation communities.

On 23 September, the “Graphene and 2D Materials European Funding Matchmaking” session will give researchers, companies, startups and technology developers the opportunity to pitch ideas, meet potential partners and explore opportunities for future European research and innovation projects, including upcoming Horizon Europe calls.

“The strength and breadth of this year’s scientific programme reflects how far the 2D materials field has come. From fundamental materials science to photonics, electronics, healthcare and industrial applications, Graphene Week 2026 offers something for every part of the community. Just as importantly, the conference creates the space to meet the people behind the research – to exchange ideas, find complementary expertise and start collaborations that can lead to the next generation of breakthroughs. I am looking forward to seeing those conversations happen in Porto,” said Alexey Tarasov, Chair of Graphene Week 2026, Hochschule Kaiserslautern – University of Applied Sciences and coordinator of the Graphene Flagship’s MUNASET project.

Porto itself will play an important part in the Graphene Week experience. The conference will be held at the Super Bock Convention Centre in the heart of the city, with social and networking activities designed to allow international delegates to experience Porto while building professional connections. The combination of the city's scientific, entrepreneurial and cultural environment makes it a fitting setting for an event focused on connecting people and ideas.

“Graphene Week has always been about building community, driving innovation and shaping the future. Bringing the event to Portugal for the first time allows us to broaden that community further – creating new links between Portugal and the international 2D materials ecosystem while giving our global community the opportunity to experience Porto,” said Graphene Flagship Director Maria Abrahamsson.

With its combination of world-leading science, industrial innovation, Portuguese expertise and opportunities for new international partnerships, Graphene Week 2026 will provide a meeting point for the community to exchange knowledge, explore new applications and build the collaborations that will shape the future of graphene and 2D materials.

Graphene Week 2026 takes place in Porto, Portugal, from 21–25 September 2026.

For the full programme and registration information, visit Graphene Week 2026.