€600,000 Allocated for Regional Research

The Diputació de Tarragona has committed €600,000 to support local research centres across the Baix Penedès, Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre regions. The funding, confirmed on Wednesday 9 September 2026, marks the second consecutive year of this grant programme, which aims to strengthen scientific innovation and its practical application within the territory. Rubén Viñuales, first vice-president and delegate for European Projects and the Knowledge Region, chaired a meeting at the Palau de la Diputació with representatives from beneficiary research institutions to review last year’s outcomes and present updates for 2026.

We made a clear commitment to research last year, and this year we are consolidating it. But now we want to go further. We want this research to be even more connected with the challenges and opportunities of our territory.

Focus on Practical Impact and Collaboration

The 2025 call successfully allocated 99.3% of its budget, €595,811.69, across seven research projects. This year’s edition maintains the same financial allocation but places stronger emphasis on knowledge transfer, real-world application, and measurable return to the local community. Projects must now demonstrate collaboration with municipalities, businesses, or social and economic agents in the region. The aim is to deepen ties between research centres, public administrations, industry, and citizens.

Funded Projects Include Medical, Environmental and Cultural Research

  • Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud): Developing the Xarxa d'Innovació en Salut i Sostenibilitat (XISS), supporting personalised medicine and a new clinical trials unit for oncology patients at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan in Reus, due to open in December with advanced MRI equipment.
  • Institut Català d'Investigació Química (ICIQ): Advancing carbon capture and reuse technologies through transformative innovation labs.
  • Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA): Establishing an experimental biogas plant in Constantí using agricultural by-products.
  • Fundació Parc Tecnològic del Vi: Leading the BIOCLON-ECO-TERRITORI initiative focused on sustainable viticulture.
  • Fundació Eurecat: Applying precision fermentation with genetic editing techniques.
  • Institut Català d'Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC): Implementing AgerICAC to conserve and promote archaeological sites.
  • Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES): Creating a municipal network for research dissemination.

Applications for the 2026 grants remain open until 30 September via the Diputació’s online services portal, where full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are published.

Reported by reusdigital.cat, diaridetarragona.com, Comunicació - Diputació de Tarragona, DiariTots21, laciutat.cat, tortosadigital.com, reusaldia.com, Tarragona Ràdio, diarimes.com.