EXCELLEND held its first project team meeting on 17 December 2025, bringing together also representatives from other laboratories of NCSR Demokritos, who were invited to gain an overview of the project’s initial objectives and planned activities.

The discussion focused on the early stages of project implementation, emphasizing coordination among team members and the alignment of ongoing activities with the project’s scientific and organizational goals.

This was followed by the first Management Board meeting on 18 December 2025, during which participants reviewed progress on key implementation tasks. A central topic of discussion was the recruitment process, which was reported to be advancing according to schedule, alongside considerations for further strengthening research support services within the Centre.

The meetings marked an important step in the operational launch of EXCELLEND, supporting effective coordination between research staff, management structures, and participating laboratories. Establishing these internal governance and communication mechanisms at an early stage is essential for ensuring smooth project execution and fostering collaboration across the wider NCSR Demokritos research environment.