• Introduction to the 2 models of the research organizations involved, namely CSIC, a centralized organization and iCERCA, independent research institutes
• Pre-award offices/management overview of the 4 co-hosts (strategy, internal organization, tools, processes, etc.)
• Experiences of the 4 co-hosts in successfully awarded Horizon Europe projects
• Screening of funding opportunities under Horizon Europe: Clusters andMissions programme of Pillar II and the WIDERA programme, in health and natural environment research and innovation
• Exploration of multidisciplinary collaborations
• Possible visits to co-hosts

The departments of fundraising, knowledge transfer and international programmes will participate in this joint study visit. More specifically, experts such as pre-award managers, grant writers, experts in international calls, impact officers as well as scientific managers will exchange good practices and network with visitors.

The ICM is a CSIC’s research institute devoted to multidisciplinary marine research including physical oceanography, marine geosciences, marine biology, ocean chemistry, fisheries management, and technological development. The ICM was the first marine research centre to be accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence. As of December 2022, the ICM employed 314 people (75 of which were senior researchers), with a scientific production of 309 publications (87% in Q1) and some 19 million € secured. In 2022 the ICM staff spent more than 1500 days at sea. ICM is very active in the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters (currently participating in 12 projects, 3 of which coordinated by ICM), and at the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Founded in 2008 as a new multidisciplinary research institute, IDAEA is the CSIC’s reference centre on environmental science (Water & Air research). Its main mission is to provide high quality research based on hard science activities in environmental sciences, analytical chemistry, geochemistry, hydrology and biotechnology. Much of the research work at this institute is centered on two of the great environmental challenges of our time, namely the cleanliness and availability of the WATER we drink and is used in the food we consume and the quality of the AIR we breathe. IDAEA has 247 researchers including 13 research professors and 33 senior research scientists. IDAEA attracts annual external competitive funding of more than 5,5M€ per year. Since 2019 IDAEA has participated and coordinated 61 European research and training projects (46 and 17 respectively) for a total of more than 21M€ funding, and has been awarded with more than 99 National projects and around 200 technology transfer projects with industry with more than 5M€ funding. IDAEA’s researchers publish on average more than 330 peer-review research publications/year (great majority in Q1 journals, 87%, in 2023).

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health – ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between the “La Caixa” Foundation, academic institutions and government bodies to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clínic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. Its working model is based on the generation of scientific knowledge through Research Programmes and Groups, and its translation through the areas of Education and Training and Analysis and Global Development.

Established in 2007, the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) is a cancer research and treatment center with a comprehensive view and international reputation, which embraces a translational, multidisciplinary and collaborative research model. The institution has been appointed in 2023 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by OECI.

Its privileged environment allows its research groups direct access to patients and unique research infrastructures, facilitating the translation of scientific outcomes into more efficient, targeted treatments and better clinical care. The institute has experienced a sharp expansion in the last years, reflected in a qualitative and quantitative improvement of the infrastructures and an active recruitment of new talented researchers and experienced professionals, making up a community of over 600 professionals. The scientific activity at VHIO is structured around three programs, Preclinical and Translational Research, Clinical Research, and Core Technologies. The different lines of research in Oncology led by our principal investigators (PI) respond to the following objectives: 1) Discovery of pathways and mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to anti-cancer therapies; 2) Preclinical disease modeling; 3) Early drug development and clinical trials with innovative agents (e.g., immunotherapy, advanced therapies), including and prioritising investigator-initiated trials; 4) Use of Big Data (molecular & clinical) and novel technologies (Artificial Intelligence -AI-, Machine learning – digital pathology and radiomics) as tools for discovery and clinical innovation.

Participants of the Study Visits will be eligible for reimbursement based on actual costs exclusively by their country’s NCP organisation responsible for the WIDERA programme appearing in the list below (reimbursing partner). The reimbursing partner will also appear in the acceptance note that successful applicants will receive.

Eligible costs: Travel and accommodation

For more details contact the reimbursing organisation from your country.

Maximum reimbursable amount: 1.000 euros per applicant

Participants will be reimbursed after the completion of their trip and following submission of a report to their country’s reimbursing organisation.

A report template can be found here and at the bottom of this page.

Applications will be evaluated based on ensuring a proper mix of experienced and less experienced applicants. The list of participants will be underpinned by gender aspects to the extent possible.

1. Remote evaluation: The reimbursing partners from each eligible country participating to the 3rd Study Visit will evaluate remotely their country’s incoming applications
2. Consensus: The partners will discuss and reach out a consensus
3. Consultation with host organisation
4. Acceptance/rejection letters to participants

Organisation:
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Contact person:

Andres Blanco: andres.blanco@csic.es,
Mar Mesas: mar.mesas@csic.es

Number of candidates eligible for funding: 1