The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) announces the upcoming launch of the 2026 call for proposals of the NEXT-VAL Program, an initiative aimed at promoting the development of translational research projects within the biosanitary environment of Cantabria.
The program is intended for emerging principal investigators who have not previously obtained competitive funding as principal investigators. In this edition, the call has a total budget of €150,000.
Selected projects will have a duration of two years, with a maximum funding of €25,000 per project. The maximum eligible travel expenses during the execution of each project will be €3,000.
Program presentation meeting
In order to present the program and the application form, as well as to address any questions from interested researchers, an online meeting will be held next Wednesday, March 4, at 2:00 PM.
Meeting link: [https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3PRWi-MmTwqzbeMHza8YKQ#/registration]
Principal investigator requirements
Researchers wishing to apply must meet the following requirements:
* Have an employment, civil service, or statutory relationship with the Cantabria Public Health System or with the University of Cantabria as a faculty member with clinical duties.
* Be under 45 years of age and hold a PhD degree at the time of application submission.
* Not have previously obtained funding as a principal investigator in projects awarded through national or international competitive calls, nor in IDIVAL’s Next-Val, Prim-Val, or Inn-Val calls.
* Medical residents or specialists in training may not participate.
* Only one principal investigator per application will be allowed; the role of co-principal investigator is not permitted.
* At least 60% of the PI’s indexed publications over the last three years must reflect IDIVAL affiliation.
The research team must consist of at least three members, including the principal investigator, and at least half of the team must belong to the Cantabria Public Health System.
Required documentation
Applications must be submitted through IDIVAL’s grants platform ([www.idival.org](http://www.idival.org)) and must include the following documentation:
* Curriculum Vitae: Link to the researcher’s CV from the IDIVAL research portal or CVA in FECYT format for the PI and collaborators. If collaborators from other public or private institutions, national or international, are included, their CV and authorization from their institution’s head to participate in the project must be provided.
* Project proposal using the standardized template.
* If supported by an IDIVAL group, a document endorsed by the head of the IDIVAL Group or by a member researcher with at least two competitive projects approved under the National R&D Plan.
* For studies in clinical settings, written authorization from the center’s management and from the head of the main unit or service.
* If researchers from the University of Cantabria who do not belong to IDIVAL groups participate, authorization from the Vice-Rector for Research of the University of Cantabria.
Application deadline and submission
The application period will be open from March 2 to April 1.
Application link: https://aplicacionesidival.idival.org/ConvocatoriasPropias/es/Convocatorias/VerConvocatoria?Id=1437
For any information related to the call, interested individuals may contact: [maria.wunsch@idival.org](mailto:maria.wunsch@idival.org).
