Three days at the Vienna Biocenter, two international meetings in one, and 370 participants. We'd call that a success. The FEMS Regional COLLAB opened the meeting with no lecture marathons, just plenty of room to network and spark future collaborations. Then FEBS3+ kicked off with conductor Katharina Wincor, whose keynote showed how much an orchestra and a research group have in common. The Young Investigator Breakfast brought together 35 curious early-career researchers and 13 experienced international scientists for an inspiring morning of career advice and honest conversation. By the numbers: 6 international societies, 6 plenary speakers, 22 invited speakers, 55 short and research profile talks, 18 science flashes, 3 rising star lectures, 130 posters and 28 exhibitors. Life Sciences Awards Austria PhD Awards (sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and Polymun Scientific): Spencer D. Balay and Trinh Phan-Canh. Research Awards (sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism): Utku Horzum,…