Creation of the New Research Projects Office

ESCI-UPF Boosts Research with a New Research Projects Office Supported by AEI Funding

ESCI-UPF has been awarded a grant from the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) under the 2025 call for funding aimed at strengthening the preparation and management of European projects and attracting international talent. 

Promoted by the ESCI-UPF UNESCO Chair on Life Cycle and Climate Change, this grant will enable the creation and consolidation of the new Research Projects Office (OPI)—a strategic unit designed to enhance the University’s research competitiveness and impact.

The OPI is established with the goal of professionalising and centralising project management, reducing the administrative burden on teaching and research staff (PDI) and allowing them to focus more fully on scientific excellence. The office will provide comprehensive support throughout the entire project lifecycle: from identifying funding opportunities and preparing high-quality proposals to the financial, technical, and strategic management of awarded projects.

The launch of this office marks a major step forward in strengthening ESCI-UPF’s international research profile, particularly within the Horizon Europe framework. Key priorities include fostering participation in European consortia, attracting international research talent, and promoting research with strong societal and global impact.

The AEI grant is instrumental in accelerating the implementation of the OPI’s strategic plan, which foresees a 50% increase in European and national research funding within the first two years and a 20% growth in research contracts with industry partners. These targets will establish a more sustainable and competitive long-term research model at ESCI-UPF.

With this initiative, ESCI-UPF reinforces its commitment to research excellence, knowledge transfer, and its role as a catalyst for innovation within the European research landscape.

Grant GPE2025-001663-P funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033