IBEC is an internationally recognised centre for interdisciplinary biomedical research, bringing together more than 400 researchers from 34 countries. Its work focuses on understanding, analysing and controlling biological systems, with the aim of generating advances that improve health and quality of life.

The selected candidate will be responsible for defining the Institute’s scientific and technological vision, leading its strategic plan and ensuring the excellence of its research activities, as well as its sustainability and international positioning. The role also includes institutional representation, the management of human and financial resources, and the promotion of knowledge transfer and innovation.

The call is open to both internal and external candidates. Applicants are expected to demonstrate an outstanding international scientific career, proven leadership skills, experience in team management and a solid understanding of global research systems.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a vision statement for the Institute and participate in a final interview with the selection committee.

• Application deadline: 20 July 2026
• Expected appointment: September–October 2026

The post Open call for Director of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) appeared first on CERCA.

Today, the CERCA Institution welcomed group of students from the VHIR Master’s programme in Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship on a visit aimed at introducing them to how the research system in Catalonia operates and the role played by CERCA centres within it.

During the session, the Institution’s main areas of activity were presented, with a particular focus on innovation and knowledge transfer, especially in the biomedical field. The importance of connecting research with the healthcare system and the market was also highlighted, along with the role of transversal skills in fostering collaboration and multidisciplinary work.

The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase the working communities promoted by CERCA as key spaces for building partnerships and sharing knowledge across centres. The Master’s programme, promoted by VHIR, aims to train professionals capable of transforming knowledge into solutions with a tangible impact on the healthcare system.

The post VHIR Master’s Students in Health Innovation Explore the CERCA Model appeared first on CERCA.

Dr Cañas holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Barcelona and brings over 25 years of experience in biomedical research, translational innovation and clinical research management. For the past nine years, he has served as Director of Commercial and Contract Clinical Research at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), where he led the transformation of the clinical research management model and the development of European strategic projects.

With this appointment, I3PT, a CERCA research centre, strengthens its commitment to consolidating its scientific position, advancing translational and clinical research, and enhancing knowledge transfer aimed at improving people’s health.

The post Xavier Cañas appointed new Director of I3PT appeared first on CERCA.

Catalonia is strengthening its commitment to biomedical research with the start of construction of the new building dedicated to precision medicine at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park–Ciutadella (PRBB–Ciutadella), located on the former Mercat del Peix site. This strategic project reinforces Barcelona’s and Catalonia’s position on the international map of scientific excellence.
During the institutional event, the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, underlined the Government’s commitment to science as a driving force for economic and social progress—an approach reflected in sustained investment, institutional collaboration and a long-term vision.

A next-generation scientific hub

The PRBB–Ciutadella project foresees a total investment of €104 million for the period 2025–2029. Of this amount, €44 million corresponds to a grant from the Ministry of Research and Universities, while €60 million will be provided through government-backed loans. Barcelona City Council is contributing by granting surface rights for a period of 75 years, along with key initial investments to launch the project.

CERCA, talent and interdisciplinarity

The new facility will host approximately 950 researchers from five CERCA centres. The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) will relocate its entire activity to the site; IBEC will establish strategic research groups there; and teams from ICN2, the CRG and ICFO will also be integrated into the new building.

The post Construction Begins on the Precision Medicine Building at PRBB–Ciutadella appeared first on CERCA.

These criteria establish the procedure for publishing studies and reports commissioned from third parties and apply both to government departments and to affiliated public‑sector entities.

The key aspects to be taken into account are as follows:

• Prior review of the document: the commissioning unit must determine whether the document can be published in full or whether anonymisation is required for justified reasons.
• Uploading to GEEC: a single document per file must be uploaded, in PDF format, named according to the file reference number, and attached to the mandatory task “Study/Opinion/Report”.
• Automated publication: the information will be automatically published on the Transparency Portal via the open data dataset.
• Deferred publication (if applicable): in duly justified cases, publication may be postponed by means of a supporting report.

At the link you will find the dedicated section of the GEEC User Guides (invoice management and file settlement), with step‑by‑step instructions on how to add this information in each case.

On a weekly basis, GEEC exports the information to the open data dataset, which is automatically published on the Transparency Portal.

The post Criteria for the Active Disclosure of Information on Studies and Reports Come into Force appeared first on CERCA.

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.

The post CERCA centres strengthen their presence at MWC26 and 4YFN with projects that connect research and innovation appeared first on CERCA.

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.

.

The post The CRG and Andorra Research + Innovation Launch a New Mountain Genomics Research Programme appeared first on CERCA.

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.

The post Transformative Agreements Boost Open Science Across CERCA Centres appeared first on CERCA.

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

The post IFAE opens call for director appeared first on CERCA.

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.

The post The 2025 National Research Awards highlight the excellence of the CERCA system appeared first on CERCA.