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On October 21–22 2026, the Final Meeting of the FIND ME project took place in Madrid, Spain, hosted by UniR bringing together project partners to review the achievements of the three-year project, assess the outcomes of the work packages, and discuss future priorities for promoting dual careers among student-athletes across Europe.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on the project’s progress, share results, and strengthen cooperation between partner organisations. Discussions focused on the key achievements of each work package, the dissemination of project results, the development of digital tools, and opportunities to further expand the reach and impact of the FIND ME initiative.

Nenad Stojilkovic presented the publications developed throughout the three-year project period, highlighting the growing interest in research and knowledge related to dual careers. These outputs contribute to a better understanding of the challenges faced by student-athletes and the importance of supporting their simultaneous pursuit of sporting and academic goals. FIND ME results and initiatives were promoted through participation in more than 16 events, encompassing conferences, EAS cafés, Bengt Nybelius Scholarship, and other events. These activities helped raise awareness of dual careers, share project outcomes with relevant stakeholders, and encourage dialogue on the support available to student-athletes.

The development of the FIND ME digital platform (www.findmeproject.eu) was visited within and beyond Europe, including Brazil and the United States. This demonstrates the potential of digital solutions to facilitate access to information and strengthen international awareness of dual career opportunities. The discussion also addressed the continued improvement of the FIND ME online platform and the importance of expanding the network of universities and faculties committed to supporting student-athletes in combining their sporting and academic careers.

The FIND ME Team emphasised the importance of ensuring the project’s continued impact beyond its formal implementation period. Increasing the platform’s visibility, extending its geographical reach, and encouraging more higher education institutions to participate were identified as key priorities for the future. Strengthening collaboration among partners and relevant stakeholders will be essential to sustaining the project’s results and further developing opportunities for student-athletes.

Finally, the partners discussed current challenges and emerging priorities in the field of dual careers. Particular attention was given to how the experience and results gained through FIND ME could inform future EAS activities and contribute to the development of new European-level projects. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building on the project’s achievements, strengthening cooperation between partner organisations, and promoting sustainable opportunities that enable student-athletes to pursue sporting excellence alongside their education and future professional careers. Thus, the FIND ME Final Meeting marked an important milestone in the project, consolidating the results of three years of collaboration and providing a foundation for future initiatives in the field of dual careers. By combining research, dissemination, digital innovation, and cooperation with higher education institutions, the project has contributed to raising awareness of the importance of supporting student-athletes throughout their academic and sporting journeys.

The FIND ME project is funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.