Emerging technologies and advanced demonstrations at MWC26

Several CERCA centres presented projects and solutions that reflect the evolution of research in connectivity, AI and space technologies:

• i2CAT showcased 6G StarLab, the first European satellite dedicated to 6G research and fully developed in Catalonia, and highlighted the spin-off Volum Technologies, specialised in real-time holographic and volumetric communication.
• The CVC presented applications in computer vision with an interactive demo capable of generating 3D avatars from a photograph, linked to research lines in generative AI, multimodality, and 3D scene reconstruction.
• The CTTC became a meeting point for international stakeholders, presenting 5G/6G testbeds, advanced antenna systems and mission‑critical communication solutions. The centre also renewed its cooperation agreement with the Korea Testing Laboratory to progress towards 6G technologies.
• The IEEC emphasised the strategic role of the space sector, moderating sessions on the future of NewSpace and signing an agreement with Mobileheroes (Taiwan) to create synergies between the space and ICT ecosystems.

Deep‑tech entrepreneurship at 4YFN

CERCA centres were also prominent at 4YFN through projects and spin-offs that connect research with market applications:

• ICFO coordinated the Quantum Flagship Booth and took part in discussions on technological sovereignty and the development of European quantum technologies.
• The CRAG has celebrated the recognition of PLANeT BIOTECH, a spin-off founded by Ana I. Caño-Delgado and Andrea Giordano, who were recently distinguished as two of the most outstanding women entrepreneurs of the year in Catalonia by EAE Business School Barcelona.
• IBEC presented three deep‑tech projects —Nanobots Therapeutics, Drug4Sight and Lumiris— with applications in health, precision medicine and assisted reproduction technologies.
• Ecomemb, a spin-off linked to ICRA, also took part, specialising in sustainable regeneration and reuse of reverse osmosis membranes.

The presence of the CERCA system at MWC26 and 4YFN demonstrates, once again, the ability of Catalan research to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration with industry and contribute to the technological development of the country.

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The first planned action is the Mountain Genomics Talent Programme, a pilot initiative designed to incorporate two junior researchers with dual CRG–ARI affiliation for a period of three years. Their work will focus on studying mountain biodiversity, environmental variation, and ecosystem health, taking advantage of Andorra’s unique geographical and climatic characteristics as a natural research environment.

The combination of altitudes, microclimates and well-preserved ecosystems makes the Principality an ideal setting for testing sequencing technologies, environmental monitoring systems and nature-based solutions. The country’s size and territorial proximity further facilitate the collection of high‑resolution data that complement laboratory studies.

Researchers participating in the programme will carry out most of their work at ARI facilities and at the Andorran Centre for Advanced Technologies and Solutions (CATSA), travelling to the CRG when needed to access specialised infrastructures or to take part in training sessions and coordination meetings.

In the medium term, the initiative may pave the way for more structured cooperation models between institutions in both territories, including potential stable research structures linked to mountain genomics.

The collaboration also strengthens the connection between Andorra and European research networks, particularly in open data projects and biodiversity monitoring. In this regard, the programme aligns with initiatives such as the Catalan Initiative for the Earth BioGenome Project, led by the CRG with funding from ARI and the Institute for Catalan Studies (IEC), which contributes to sequencing the genomes of species across the Catalan-speaking territories.

This agreement represents an important step forward in scientific cooperation between Catalonia and Andorra and opens new opportunities to integrate genomic research, conservation and innovation within a natural environment of high ecological value.

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Immediate impact: more publications and lower costs for research groups

Since the agreements came into force in May 2025, a total of 368 APCs (Article Processing Charges) have been approved, with an estimated cost of €1,346,653.99 absorbed by the agreements. This cost—often invisible but highly significant—relieves research teams of a burden that can influence the decision to publish in open access.

The uptake has continued to increase, and 139 prepaid APCs have already been approved this year, confirming that the CERCA community is progressively integrating these instruments into its regular activity.

The impact on reading is also notable. In 2025, researchers at CERCA centres downloaded 2,116,256 articles from journals included in the agreements.

• 368 APCs approved in 2025
• €1,346,653.99 estimated APC cost
• 2,116,256 articles downloaded

How do APCs work?

When the author submits an article, the journal automatically detects CERCA affiliation and offers the option to publish in open access through the transformative agreement. CERCA validates the request whenever credit is available.

If this option does not appear during the editorial process, the team simply needs to contact CERCA’s reference person for transformative agreements, who will provide guidance and resolve any issues.

Who can benefit?

The main requirement is that the person submitting the manuscript is the corresponding author and has an active CERCA affiliation. This model fosters more equitable access, particularly for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers who lead manuscripts but do not always have resources to cover APCs.

How to publish

If you want to publish in open access and contribute to open science, consult the list of journals and conditions, or contact us with any questions.

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Successful candidates will have an established record of scientific excellence, experience and capacity of team and research management, and the innovative thinking necessary to lead the Institute.

Tentative Calendar

• February 23rd Call for applications
• April 14th Application deadline
• May 4th First meeting of selection committee – elaboration of the short list – interviews
• June 4th Ranked list of final candidates by the selection committee
• June 11th Appointment announced by the Governing Board

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This new edition of the awards, granted by the Government and the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI), has recognised several individuals and projects linked to CERCA centres, reinforcing their leadership across all stages of the research process.

Luis Serrano (CRG), 2025 National Research Award

The highest distinction has been awarded to Luis Serrano, Director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), in recognition of his pioneering career in molecular biology, systems biology and synthetic biology. His internationally influential research has opened new paths for the development of medicines, protein design and synthetic biology.

Young Talent: joint recognition for two outstanding researchers

The National Young Talent Award has been granted ex aequo to two emerging researchers:

• Nadejda Blagorodnova Mujortova, from the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), part of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), recognised for her contribution to the study of the fusion and interaction of binary stars.
• Katherine Villa, ICREA Research Professor at the Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ), awarded for her work in photocatalysis and nanomaterials aimed at environmental solutions.

The ARI Project (Hospital Clínic – IDIBAPS), award for scientific philanthropy

In the philanthropy category, the award has gone to the ARI Project, led by Hospital Clínic and IDIBAPS, for its contribution to fundraising efforts to tackle cancer with advanced therapies. The project has developed an in-house CAR T therapy for patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia who had no remaining treatment options.

Other awards in the 2025 edition

• Knowledge transfer and innovation: Eurecat Foundation.
• Scientific communication: science communicator Pere Estupinyà.
• Creation of a science-based company: University of Lleida and University of Sherbrooke for the start-up UniSCool.

With 36 editions behind them, the National Research Awards continue to recognise the projects and professionals that drive the country forward, reinforcing the strategic role of Catalan research on the international stage.

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A new evaluation model to drive excellence

The budget increase will come into effect this year and will be accompanied by a new evaluation model aligned with the mandate of Catalonia’s Science Act (Law 9/2022). The new system will allocate resources based on criteria such as scientific excellence, quality and social impact. Each centre will receive a fixed amount of between €100,000 and €150,000, supplemented by a variable portion linked to objective indicators.

According to Minister Montserrat, “Catalonia’s research system is one of the country’s great strengths and a key part of our knowledge model.” The aim is clear: to enable centres to anticipate global challenges, forge strategic alliances and compete at the highest international level.

Implementing the strategic pillars of the Science Act

The additional resources will accelerate the development of the Science Act’s priority areas, including excellent research, open science, gender equality, integrity, sustainability, knowledge transfer and the strengthening of the Catalan language in the scientific sphere. This boost will help reinforce Catalonia’s role as a European benchmark in research and innovation.

New Joan Guinovart grant programme

During the meeting, a new funding scheme was also presented: the Joan Guinovart call. With a budget of €800,000 over two years, it will fund six annual strategic research programmes co-led by two or more CERCA centres and at least one Catalan university.

This initiative aims to strengthen institutional collaboration, stimulate large-scale projects and support the ongoing implementation of the Science Act across the entire system.

With this double move—more resources and a stronger strategic vision—Catalonia consolidates an ambitious research model, while enhancing the international competitiveness of its centres and their ability to attract and retain talent.

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Voluntariat per la llengua, promoted by the Ministry of Language Policy and implemented locally by the Consortium for Language Normalisation (CPNL), is a programme designed to help people practise Catalan through conversation. It works by creating language pairs made up of a volunteer—who speaks Catalan fluently—and a learner—who has basic knowledge of the language and wishes to become more confident and fluent.

The intention of the CERCA Institution is to make it easier for these pairs to form between colleagues within the same working environment, thus encouraging natural learning embedded into everyday life at the centres.

CERCA centres already participating

Several centres within the CERCA system have already begun implementing the programme with positive results. Among them is the Centre for Demographic Studies, which currently has ten active language pairs. ISGlobal, IDIBAPS and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute are also participating, with a total of sixteen active pairs.

Other centres that have joined Voluntariat per la llengua include the Sant Pau Research Institute, the Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute.

A programme adaptable to all environments

One of the strengths of VxL is its flexibility and adaptability. Although it has traditionally been aimed at the general adult population, it has successfully expanded into many different contexts thanks to tailored approaches for specific groups. In each case, the dynamics are designed jointly with the organisations or institutions interested in promoting the use of Catalan among their staff or users.

With the incorporation of the CERCA Institution, the programme takes another step forward in consolidating the presence of Catalan in scientific and multicultural environments, reinforcing the CERCA system’s commitment to promoting the language within the research community.

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His appointment follows an international selection process coordinated by the Institució CERCA, with the participation of IREC’s External Scientific Advisory Board.

Holding a PhD in Physics from the University of Barcelona, Jordi Puigcorbé brings more than 20 years of experience leading research, technology and innovation projects in the renewables sector, with a particular focus on onshore and offshore wind.

Throughout his career, he has held Vice President roles in Innovation and Executive Director positions in Technology and Innovation at Ecotecnia, Alstom, General Electric and Eolos, leading large international and multidisciplinary teams.

In this new phase, IREC’s leadership will continue to drive research and the development of sustainable energy solutions, strengthening knowledge transfer and collaboration with industry and public administrations to accelerate the energy transition.

Puigcorbé succeeds Professor Joan Ramon Morante, who is stepping down upon retirement after a decade leading the centre. Morante is a full professor at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Barcelona and, since 2009, has been affiliated with IREC as Director of the Advanced Materials for Energy area, before taking up the role of Director of the centre in 2015.

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Mentoring grounded in trust and a feminist perspective

CERCA-REMA weaves a network of relationships between women with diverse professional paths—both in research and in management—who share a common challenge: advancing in their careers within environments where structural inequalities still persist. The mentoring relationships are conceived as safe, trusting and validating spaces, where dialogue is mutual and expectations are realistic. (How can we sustain leadership that does not crack under pressure? How can we break the isolation so many women experience?)

The programme also includes a training pathway designed by Míriam Bayés and Jordina Arnau, featuring workshops on feminist leadership, identifying harassment situations, assertive communication, emotional wellbeing, and the development of sustainable leadership practices.

Broad and diverse participation

The figures highlight the programme’s reach: 61 participants attended the information session, 51 mentoring pairs were formed, and the workshops gathered 322 registrations. It is a community that would hardly have come together outside this framework and that, according to participants, has helped break isolation and fostered strong bonds of professional solidarity.

What we have learned

The reflections shared show that, despite progress, obstacles remain when it comes to reporting sexual and gender-based harassment. Fear of reprisals, lack of trust in institutional mechanisms, and job insecurity continue to act as disincentives. CERCA-REMA demonstrates that training, support, and community-building are essential components in addressing these issues.

The programme also brings to the fore a recurring challenge: the need for continuity. Longer, more flexible spaces that are better integrated into everyday working life would allow deeper work on change processes and make reconciliation easier.

Looking ahead

In 2026, a new line of work will be launched: a specific programme aimed at men, with the goal of promoting their active and shared involvement in eradicating gender-based violence and driving cultural transformation within research environments.

CERCA-REMA has shown that feminist mentoring not only empowers individuals but also transforms groups and institutions. It is a necessary step towards research environments that are more equitable, safer, and capable of recognising all the talent that sustains them.

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The session opened with contributions from Javier Bonet, Director of CIMNE and member of the assessment panel for the United Kingdom’s 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), and Jean Grugel, Principal Investigator at IBEI also a member of the REF 2021 Politics and International Studies panel. They offered insights into the challenges and opportunities that impact assessment represents in their respective fields, stressing that impact is, above all, a collective endeavour. It should not be understood as an individual exercise but rather as a shared process between teams and institutions.

Next, Victòria Miquel, Director of the Research Area (Research Personnel) at AGAUR, and Esther Vizcaíno, researcher at the AQuAS Research Lab, provided a closer look at the Catalan context. They explained how AGAUR is working to incorporate impact assessment into its programmes and how AQuAS promotes projects aimed at generating impact within the health system, using shorter and more targeted models.

The session continued with a presentation by Rebeca Zapata, officer at the Directorate-General for Knowledge Transfer and Society of the Ministry of Research and Universities, who outlined the new call for Grants for Projects with Impact on Society, open until 25 February.

Finally, Núria Benítez, Head of Strategy at I-CERCA, presented the next steps for the Impact Community in 2026. Planned actions include disclosure of some narratives submitted in 2024 so they can be shared with all centres as a working tool. This initiative will strengthen collective learning and support the organisation of much-demanded activities, such as training on qualitative and quantitative indicators, understanding non-result-oriented impact models, addressing the specificities of impact in basic research, training trainers, and developing new tools to advance the culture of impact.

In the coming days, contact will be made with the centres that have volunteered to open their narratives, as well as with the advisory board (RIAAB), to manage the necessary permissions.

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