Tarragona Provincial Council consolidates its support for research and knowledge transfer in the region with a new call for grants
IPHES-CERCA Director Marina Mosquera, Head of Research Isabel Cáceres and Managing Director Maria Targa took part in a meeting with research centres from across the province to review the first call and learn about the main developments for the 2026 editi
The continuation of the funding scheme, once again endowed with €600,000, reinforces Tarragona Provincial Council’s commitment to research, knowledge transfer and delivering benefits to the region and society
The Director of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA), Marina Mosquera, Head of Research Isabel Cáceres and Managing Director Maria Targa took part on Wednesday, 9 September, in a meeting organised by Tarragona Provincial Council with representatives of research centres from across the province. The meeting, chaired by First Vice-President and Deputy for European Projects and the Knowledge Region Rubén Viñuales, provided an opportunity to review the first call for grants launched in 2025 and to present the main developments for the 2026 call.
The new call maintains an overall budget of €600,000, ensuring the continuation of a specific funding scheme for research centres launched by Tarragona Provincial Council last year. The consolidation of this programme reinforces the institution’s commitment to research and innovation as drivers of regional development, with particular emphasis on knowledge transfer, the practical application of research results and their benefits to society.
The first call supported seven projects led by research centres in the province, covering fields including heritage, health, sustainability, chemistry, agri-food, biotechnology and wine innovation.
The Xarxa de Municipis IPHES per la Recerca
IPHES-CERCA was one of the research centres awarded funding under the 2025 call, through its “Xarxa de Municipis IPHES per la Recerca” project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the links between scientific research, the conservation and enhancement of prehistoric heritage, and the development of municipalities across the region.
The support provided by Tarragona Provincial Council has contributed to research and conservation work associated with prehistoric sites in the Tarragona area where IPHES-CERCA carries out its research, as well as to outreach, public engagement and knowledge-transfer activities developed by the institute in collaboration with the municipalities participating in the network.
During the meeting, Marina Mosquera presented some of the results made possible by this support and highlighted initiatives carried out across the region, including work linked to Cova de la Font Major in l’Espluga de Francolí.
From research to impact in the region
The 2026 call places particular emphasis on knowledge transfer and the regional impact of the projects. This new approach seeks to ensure that research results reach the territory more directly and contribute to addressing its challenges and opportunities, while strengthening collaboration between research centres, municipalities, public administrations, businesses and citizens.
This approach is closely aligned with IPHES-CERCA’s model of engagement with the region, which integrates scientific research, heritage conservation, science communication and the social transfer of knowledge. In this context, the Xarxa de Municipis IPHES per la Recerca provides a stable framework for collaboration with local authorities, enabling the knowledge generated by the institute to be incorporated into cultural, educational, heritage and local development initiatives.
The continuation of this funding scheme therefore represents a further step towards consolidating a strong research ecosystem rooted in the Tarragona region, while strengthening the role of research centres as generators of knowledge, innovation and social impact.
The 2026 call is open to non-profit research centres headquartered or with a branch in the Baix Penedès, Camp de Tarragona or Terres de l’Ebre areas. Applications can be submitted until 30 September.
