PACT Zollverein, located at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein in Essen, Germany, launches IMPACT26 – Friction Energy, the latest edition of its international PACT Lab programme. The four‑day laboratory (30 October – 2 November 2026) brings together artists, researchers, cultural practitioners and thinkers from diverse disciplines to explore practices of encounter, negotiation and cooperation. Applicants are invited to submit projects, practices or research approaches rooted in artistic, scientific, social, activist or technological fields that emphasize collaborative, process‑driven work. Selected participants will engage in workshops, discussions and collaborative activities, receive remuneration, have travel costs reimbursed and be provided with local accommodation. Applications are submitted through an online form and must be received by 13 August 2026 (23:59 CET). The call is open to international applicants of any age or nationality, with no specific restrictions beyond a focus on interdisciplinary, collective practice.