The call, published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria (BOC) on February 18, 2026, promotes talent recruitment, innovation, internationalization, and patient-based studies.
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has launched eight biomedical research promotion programmes under the 2026 call of the PLADIBIO programme, published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria (BOC) on February 18 (Announcement number 2026-1162).
These initiatives, which together will exceed €1.5 million, aim to strengthen the recruitment and promotion of research talent, facilitate health innovation, foster internationalization, enhance patient-oriented research — such as that developed within the Cantabria Cohort promoted by the institute itself — and boost non-commercial clinical trials.
The programme also includes the incorporation of new generations of clinician-researchers, with special attention to Primary Care and Nursing professionals, promoting synergies with other knowledge-generating stakeholders in Cantabria and with the business sector.
Eight strategic programmes for 2026
The 2026 call is structured around the following programmes:
1. “Support IDIVAL” Programme; Support for the development of initiatives by IDIVAL research groups.
2. “Next-Val” Emerging Researchers Support Programme; Funding for projects led by emerging researchers, facilitating generational renewal and the consolidation of new research lines.
3. “Inn-Val” Innovation Support Programme; Promotion of innovation projects in the health field, encouraging knowledge transfer.
4. “Int-Val” Researcher Intensification Programme; Strengthening research activity through the partial replacement of clinical duties.
• Modality A: specific annual call.
• Modality B (self-intensification): application at least two months prior to the planned start date.
5. “Prim-Val” Primary Care Support Programme; Promotion of research initiatives in the field of Primary Care.
6. “Dtec-Val” Technological Development Support Programme; Promotion of technological development projects linked to biomedical research.
7. “Inplant” New Clinical Researchers Recruitment Programme; Attraction of new clinical researchers to the Valdecilla environment.
8. “Mentoring” New Residents Recruitment Programme; Recruitment of outstanding residents for research development within the Valdecilla environment.
Overall budget exceeding €2.5 million
In addition to the programmes included in this call, IDIVAL’s 2026 research budget will fund:
• Annual installments of predoctoral contracts awarded in previous years.
• Co-funded calls.
• A €500,000 contribution to the operation of the Cantabria Cohort.
• Training contracts for support staff in management and technological services areas.
Overall, the total budget planned for all these actions in 2026, including those announced in this call, amounts to €2,531,651.
Application deadlines
The application periods for each programme are as follows:
• Support IDIVAL: from February 24 to March 9, 2026.
• Next-Val: from March 2 to April 1, 2026.
• Inn-Val: from April 1 to April 30, 2026.
• Int-Val:
◦ Modality A: from May 1 to May 15, 2026.
◦ Modality B (self-intensification): at least two months before the start date.
• Prim-Val: from April 15 to May 15, 2026.
• Dtec-Val: from April 15 to May 15, 2026.
• Inplant: open until December 1, 2026.
• Mentoring: from June 1 to October 30, 2026.
With this call, IDIVAL reinforces its commitment to strengthening the research ecosystem in Cantabria, promoting a model that integrates talent, innovation, and knowledge transfer to the healthcare system and society.
