Collaboration, Science, and Network Building at ESCMID Global 2026

ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich brought together thousands of experts in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases across academia, healthcare, industry, and public health. The congress provided a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, innovation, and collaboration. Ecraid's booth F21 hosted back-to-back meetings and a constant flow of conversations. The kind of energy you hope for at a congress like this.

Enthusiasm for Clinical Research

Ecraid was happy to welcome existing partners, collaborators, and new connections at its exhibition booth. As in previous years, the booth served as a hub for discussion, networking, and highlighting the strength of Ecraid’s clinical research network, the experts, and all the integrated services and capabilities – including a growing portfolio of education and training activities. What stood out? The enthusiasm. From curious first visits to deeper dives with collaborators; the engagement, questions, and shared excitement around clinical research and education made this a really strong presence for Ecraid at ESCMID Global.

A special thanks goes to our coordinating committee members and our Ecraid clinical liaisons, the majority of whom took the time to stop by, connect and provide their valuable input across the different discussions and meetings. This showed their commitment and trust in the work being done within Ecraid.

Ecraid Science

Ecraid’s scientific contributions were visible throughout the ESCMID Global 2026 programme, highlighting the breadth and impact of its research network. Across oral sessions, symposia, educational sessions, and ePoster presentations, Ecraid-affiliated experts presented cutting-edge work addressing key challenges in infectious diseases.

Key contributions included:

Advancing antimicrobial stewardship: from data to decision-making. Ecraid experts presented how tools such as the Emerging Resistance Index (ERI) can support clinical decision-making and optimise antibiotic use. These sessions emphasised the translation of surveillance data into actionable guidance for clinicians.
Innovations in clinical trial design: adaptive platform trials in practice. Contributions from Ecraid-affiliated researchers involved in platform trials such as REMAP-CAP and SNAP demonstrated how adaptive designs can accelerate evidence generation, particularly in rapidly evolving infectious disease settings.
ECRAID-Base and data integration: connecting clinical research ecosystem. Presentations highlighted FAIR-by-design approaches and the role of ECRAID-Base in linking observational and interventional studies, supporting more efficient and interoperable research infrastructures.
Multinational cohort studies: generating real-world evidence across Europe. Ongoing studies such as POS-cUTI were featured, showcasing how large-scale, collaborative cohorts provide insights into epidemiology, treatment patterns, and patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.
Sepsis and severe infections: advancing clinical research in critical care. Ecraid contributors shared findings from studies and late-breaking sessions focused on improving treatment strategies and outcomes in severe infections and ICU populations.

In addition, many Ecraid experts chaired sessions, contributed to discussions, and supported the broader scientific programme, demonstrating the strength and engagement of the network across disciplines.

Young Investigator Workshop

Supporting early-career researchers remained a central focus at ESCMID Global 2026. Ecraid’s Young Investigator Workshop returned for its fifth edition, offering a dedicated space for emerging scientists to learn, exchange ideas, and build networks. The workshop featured researchers from the Ecraid network sharing hands-on experience from Ecraid’s activities, covering topics such as network building, open science and FAIR principles, and the application of machine learning in clinical research. By fostering peer-to-peer learning and open dialogue, the workshop continues to play a vital role in strengthening the next generation of clinical researchers.

Expanding our Network

Throughout the congress, Ecraid’s booth served as a focal point for engagement. Clinical network representatives, operational teams, and business development colleagues connected with long-standing partners while also engaging new stakeholders to explore future collaborations.

These moments of reconnection - alongside new introductions - are essential to sustaining and expanding Ecraid’s pan-European research infrastructure, enabling continued collaboration and broader participation in high-quality clinical studies and initiatives.

Looking Ahead

ESCMID Global 2026 reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing in tackling infectious diseases and preparing for future health threats. Through its scientific contributions, strategic partnerships, and community building for young researchers, Ecraid continues to strengthen its role as a leading force in infectious diseases clinical research in Europe.