The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) has launched the project “Boosting Internationalization and the Management of European Health Projects in Cantabria”, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening its positioning within the Horizon Europe framework programme and consolidating its leadership in securing and managing European R&D&I funding.
The project is being developed within the call for grants for the preparation and management of European projects and the attraction of international talent 2025, part of the State Programme for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027. The initiative has a budget of 150,000 euros and is part of action GPE2025-001706-P, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) / Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) / 10.13039/501100011033.
The initiative stems from an internal self-assessment process in which IDIVAL analysed the situation and capabilities of its European projects area, identifying opportunities for improvement and the need to advance its internationalization strategy. As a result, a reinforcement and growth plan has been defined for IDIVAL’s European Projects Office (OPE-VAL), with special focus on the proactive analysis of Horizon Europe calls aligned with the Institute’s priority research areas.
This strengthening will expand the technical and strategic capacities of OPE-VAL, improve knowledge of the European funding ecosystem — including platforms, partnerships and international networks — and enhance the use of internal research talent. It will also facilitate better preparation of competitive proposals and more active participation in international consortia, with the goal of increasing both the number of applications submitted and the leadership of IDIVAL researchers in European projects.
With this initiative, IDIVAL reinforces its commitment to scientific excellence, international projection and the generation of health knowledge, strengthening its role as a benchmark in biomedical research and contributing to the scientific and technological development of Cantabria within the European context.
