Dream Reactions of CO₂: Capture, Conversion and Beyond

The “Dream Reactions of CO₂ : Capture, Conversion, and Beyond” conference presents a paramount opportunity to bridge the cutting edges of chemical and biological sciences focused on carbon dioxide together with a scientific, systematic, and futuristic perspective. Over the course of five days, this event will unite preeminent researchers, innovators, and experts specializing in CO₂ capture, conversion, and beyond to realize dynamic collaboration and transformative ideas. Together, our aim is to collectively envisage future breakthrough technologies with which CO₂ serves as a catalyst for constructive progress in scalable solutions that will contribute to a more equitable, sustainable and resilient future.

Capturing and transforming CO₂ into useful materials, chemicals, and products with a low carbon footprint is not a challenge that can be solved within a single discipline – or with a single technology. Progress requires the integration of chemistry, biology, materials science, engineering, and modelling, alongside insights into scale-up, and implementation by the support of policy and regulations. This conference is therefore framed as a cross-disciplinary meeting point, where exploratory ideas, enabling technologies, and system-level perspectives are brought together in dialogue.

The conference programme will be structured around the core research streams/programmes within the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO₂ Research Center (CORC), guiding both the daily themes and the individual sessions for open and dynamic discussions around science of CO₂.

 The Conference program will be structured around the themes described below: 

1. Sourcing Carbon: Exploring sustainable and scalable pathways for sourcing carbon, from point-source capture to direct air and ocean capture and emerging negative emission strategies.
2. Manipulating Carbon: Advancing the chemical, biological, and electrochemical transformation of carbon into fuels, materials, and high-value products.
3. Balancing Energy and Carbon Utilization: Examining the interplay between energy systems and CO₂ utilization, with a focus on efficiency, renewables integration, and optimal resource allocation.
4. AI and Machine Learning in Carbon Technologies: Leveraging AI and machine learning to accelerate discovery and optimization in CO₂ capture, catalysis, and biological conversion pathways.
5. Creating Value from CO₂: Unlocking economic, environmental, and societal value through innovative CO₂ utilization pathways and circular carbon economies.
6. From Innovation to Implementation: High-TRL Carbon Solutions: Showcasing mature technologies for CO₂ capture, conversion, and system integration, and their pathway toward industrial deployment and scale-up.

Learn more about the last CORC conference Dream Reaction of CO₂ here.

Scientific Committee: ​

• Jiwoong Lee
• Lasse Rosendahl  ​
• Nina Lock
• Alfred Spormann
• Jessica Strefler
• Matteo Cargnello
• Lars Angenent
• Troels Skrydstrup
• Lars Ottosen ​

How to apply

The call is open.

Our conferences has no application fees – registration is free.

Please note that the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster Conferences offers exclusive opportunities to network in an intimate setting with a carefully selected, limited body of participants. Allocation of seats at this conference takes place through a selection process through which our Scientific Committee chooses the best candidates for the conference. If you get accepted for the conference, your participation (excluding travels) is covered by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. We expect all participants and speakers to actively take part in the full duration of the conference. All accepted participants will be expected to present a poster at the conference.

Application Deadline 31 July 2026

Evaluation of incoming applications: 17 August 2026

Notifications to applicants: 21 August 2026

SHORT TALKS: Some applicants will be invited to give a short talk during the conference based on their submitted abstract. Selected applicants will be notified end of September.

Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster Conference

The ambition of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster Conferences is to host the world’s best scientific conferences for the world’s top researchers and innovators within strategic scientific focus areas. We hope that you will join us for a thought-provoking conference in exclusive intimate settings, connecting with other interesting people around solving interdisciplinary scientific challenges.