On March 20th, 2025, a delegation of ten researchers and one project manager from the Institut de la Vision in Paris (IDV) visited the Forschungsinstitut für Augenheilkunde (Institute of Ophthalmic Research, IOR) at the University of Tübingen. This landmark meeting marked the first of its kind —and of this scale— between the two institutions, both internationally renowned leaders in vision science and ophthalmology.

The encounter was driven by a shared ambition to foster closer scientific and educational collaboration across Europe. Both institutes are deeply involved in advancing research in key areas such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal degenerations, retinal information processing, myopia and the application of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology and vision science. Yet, beyond these common research interests, it is their complementary expertise and approaches that truly pave the way for meaningful synergy.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a rich program that included scientific presentations, thematic discussions, and lab visits across the Tübingen research Institute. These exchanges enabled researchers to present their ongoing projects, explore potential intersections, and identify new avenues for cooperation.

A key aspect of the visit was the open and informal atmosphere, which encouraged dialogue across disciplines and between participants at different career stages. This setting supported the development of ongoing collaborations and opened the door to potential new joint initiatives. In particular, both institutions expressed interest in exploring opportunities to enhance doctoral training and education through possible joint programs, allowing early-career researchers to benefit from the complementary strengths and resources of both sites.

For many attendees, the visit was both a reunion among long-time colleagues and an opportunity to discover new collaborators. The success of this first encounter sets the stage for future scientific exchanges and joint initiatives, with the long-term goal of building a strategic, cross-border research alliance in the field of vision and neuroscience.