European and International Projects

CSIC’s first contributions to the European research Framework Programmes date back to 1986, with the implementation of the First Framework Programme. Since then, its participation has continued uninterrupted and grown progressively, and the institution now holds a prominent position.
At European level, CSIC consistently ranks among the top five public research organisations in terms of the number of projects awarded.
At national level, CSIC is the leading Spanish institution in terms of number of projects, financial return and number of coordinated actions. The institution performs particularly strongly in calls such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Research Infrastructures.
 

DISCOVER ALL OUR PROJECTS IN THE HORIZON DASHBOARD
(Enter “Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)” in the Organisation legal name field or use PIC 999991722.)

Given their strategic importance for CSIC, special mention should be made of the institution’s participation in other calls funded by the European Commission. These pursue a variety of objectives, including aligning countries’ science policies and strategic agendas, achieving levels of innovation comparable to those of leading global powers, creating an intersectoral research environment with strong industry involvement, and addressing or reinforcing priority topics.

Participation by CSIC researchers in these calls strengthens transnational collaboration and increases the impact and interdisciplinarity of their work. The institution participates in and leads projects funded since the early days of the European Union to implement key European policies in areas including industry, the environment, regional development and cohesion.
 

The international dimension of CSIC research activity is completed by analysing the actions in which the institution participates and the funding it secures from international organisations and foreign entities.

Through the implementation of and collaboration in projects, CSIC has a presence on every continent. Traditionally, the United States of America (USA) has stood out in terms of both funding and number of projects secured, followed by major European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. Scientific cooperation through research and innovation projects and networks has also historically been strong and highly significant with Latin America and is now becoming increasingly established in new regions such as Africa.

CSIC is recognised as a reliable partner in European and international projects.

At the same time, CSIC participation in European consortia, networks and partnerships with third countries generates numerous benefits for society. These include public-private and public-public collaboration with universities and other research actors, cooperation with the third sector and other prestigious organisations, access to new technologies, the generation of new knowledge, increased competitiveness, internationalisation, access to new markets, and contacts with the most competitive scientific and technological environments.

With around 130 projects currently under its leadership, CSIC is the leading Spanish institution in terms of coordination within the Framework Programme. Collaborative projects led by the CSIC account for around 12% of its participation. This high number of coordinated actions demonstrates the institution’s capacity and reliability in performing this role within international consortia.

Acting as coordinator is of major institutional importance, as it not only gives CSIC greater visibility but also generally leads to greater scientific and financial returns. The trust placed in us by our European partners to perform this role is therefore particularly significant.

Outstanding researchers, regardless of nationality, are welcomed at the CSIC to carry out their projects in any field of knowledge, benefiting from attractive working conditions within the national context and a working environment devoted exclusively to science.

CSIC’s experience as a host institution for individual research projects has made it the leading Spanish institution in terms of the number of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and European Research Council (ERC) projects.