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YERUN turns 10 - a decade of purposeful partnership

Maastricht University reflects on ten years of impactful international cooperation

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), a growing coalition of dynamic, forward-looking institutions with a shared mission: strengthening the voice of young universities in Europe. For Maastricht University (UM), it’s a moment to celebrate not only the network’s achievements but also UM’s active role at the heart of it.

To celebrate this milestone, we spoke with Rianne Letschert, President of Maastricht University, and Silvia Gómez Recio, Secretary General of YERUN, about the network’s journey, UM’s role in it, and what the future holds. Watch the video

“Let me start by congratulating YERUN for the enormous impact they've had over the last ten years,” says Rianne Letschert, President of Maastricht University. “For us, it’s an absolutely crucial network - one that increases our visibility, strengthens our position in European science policy, and helps shape the future of higher education together with like-minded partners.”

Linking up to face global challenges

The idea for YERUN emerged in 2015, when a group of younger, research-intensive universities across Europe recognised they could not face the wide range of academic and societal challenges - global competition, funding pressures, evolving roles - by working in isolation. A formal network was needed, and YERUN was born.

Silvia Gómez Recio, who became Secretary General of YERUN a year after its inception, explains how the network evolved. “We started with a very basic idea: collaborate more, share more, influence more. YERUN was initially composed of universities less than 50 years old or ranked as ‘Top 50 under 50’. But during the last decade, we’ve come to see ‘young’ more as a mindset than a number.”

Universities with a mission

Today, that mindset defines YERUN’s mission. Its 24 members are bound by common values: flexibility, ambition, openness to change, and a commitment to their social role within diverse communities. “It’s a culture of adaptability, not entitlement,” says Silvia Gómez. “We are universities with purpose.” 

This purpose is not only global but also deeply local. Like many YERUN members, Maastricht University plays an active role in its region - contributing to cross-border cooperation, strengthening the knowledge economy of Limburg, and connecting education and research to local challenges. It’s a dual mission that defines young universities today: rooted in community, but reaching far beyond it.

YERUN celebrates its first ten years

Maastricht’s foundational role

As one of the founding partners, Maastricht University has been part of YERUN from day one. Through strong board representation and active engagement in policy discussions, UM has helped define the network’s strategic direction - especially in complex areas where young universities have traditionally been underrepresented.

“UM’s leadership in YERUN gave us visibility when it mattered most,” says Silvia Gómez. “We didn't have a strong voice in Brussels yet, and having an engaged and proactive partner like Maastricht made that difference.”

Rianne Letschert elaborates: “Making your voice heard in EU policy discussions on research, open science, funding, assessment reform - all of that takes presence, persistence, and credibility. YERUN amplifies our collective impact and gives us that seat at the table.”

She adds that having an experienced team in Brussels, dedicated solely to supporting young universities, is invaluable. “We can’t follow all policy developments in Brussels every day, but YERUN can. And that makes a real difference.”

Maastricht University is also represented in Brussels through its Brussels Hub – UM’s base in the EU capital. It supports European collaboration in education, research and innovation in line with UM’s strategic goals.

A network that delivers

YERUN’s core mission focuses on three pillars: influencing European research and education policy, strengthening transnational collaboration between member universities, and showcasing achievements through a tailored communication strategy. Over the years, this approach has led to joint projects, staff mobility schemes, institutional benchmarking, and highly visible policy advocacy, particularly around the reform of academic careers and research assessment (COARA).

“From open science to budgeting to career paths,” Rianne Letschert notes, “YERUN plays a key role in ensuring young universities aren’t just consulted, they're shaping the conversation.”

Going global

As YERUN enters its second decade, the two women agree: the road ahead leads beyond the borders of Brussels, or even Europe.

“One of our strategic goals,” says the YERUN Secretary General, “is to start engaging more actively with partners outside the European Union. While our foundation is in Europe, we recognise that academic challenges - funding, geopolitics, mobility - are global. We want to build bridges to partner institutions on other continents that share our values and goals.”

That sentiment is echoed by the UM President: “Asia is an emerging powerhouse of scientific innovation. Networks like YERUN should be exploring those developments and creating channels of exchange. I would love to see YERUN grow into a global connector - not just within Europe, but with institutions in regions like Asia, Africa or Latin America."

She acknowledges that doing so will require capacity: “It’s not about willingness - that’s there. But expanding globally means investing in people and infrastructure to do it well.”

YERUN Secretary General Silvia Gomez talking to Maastricht University President Rianne Letschert
De Secretaris Generaal van YERUN Silvia Gomez in gesprek met de Voorzitter van de Universiteit Maastricht Rianne Letschert

Staying vocal, staying connected

As higher education institutions grapple with rising pressures - budget cuts, geopolitical tensions, and a growing need for societal relevance - networks like YERUN remain essential. They foster not just solidarity, but solutions.

“We need to stay united,” Silvia Gómez emphasises. “Universities across Europe are facing similar issues. YERUN enables us to learn from each other and advocate together for the future of higher education - one that is more agile, open, and impactful.”

Rianne Letschert agrees, and makes a final call to her UM colleagues: “Continue investing in YERUN. It adds value for individual members and for us as a collective. With their passion and professionalism, the YERUN team makes things possible that we simply couldn’t do alone.”

In short, YERUN’s 10th anniversary is not just an institutional celebration; it’s a call to action for researchers, staff and students at Maastricht University to engage with the network and explore opportunities for collaboration.

YERUN and Maastricht University - Rianne Letschert and Silvia Gomez on the stairs of UM's main building

Learn more or get involved via: www.yerun.eu

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