The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC–UPF) will host Strengthening the ERC Research Community in Spain on 30 November. Organised by the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG), the event will take place at the IBE headquarters in the Mediterranean Marine and Environmental Research Center (CMIMA). Its aim is to strengthen the community associated with the European Research Council (ERC) in Spain. The event will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and online, and attendance will be free of charge upon prior registration. 

Coordinated by Marc de Manuel, principal investigator at the IBE and ERC Ambassador in Spain, the event is aimed at current and former ERC grantees, as well as researchers interested in applying to future calls. It will address the future of European research, the role of the AERG, the support that institutions can provide to ERC grantees, and the challenges involved in sustaining research groups with stable funding over time. 

Speakers will include Susanna Narotzky (European Research Council and University of Barcelona), Agnieszka Wykowska (Italian Institute of Technology), Emma Motrico (University of Seville), Elisabetta Aurino (University of Barcelona), Miguel Arocena (Ikerbasque), María Mar Delgado Serrano (International University of Andalusia), Julio Marchamalo Amado (ERC National Contact Point), Tomàs Marquès-Bonet (Institute of Evolutionary Biology) and Joan Llull (Institute for Economic Analysis), as well as a representative of the CSIC, to be confirmed. 

The event is supported by an AERG SPARK grant and by the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC–UPF), through the CSIC DEEP-MaX programme for the promotion of scientific excellence. 

See the full programme below and register here.

Programme 

14:30–15:00 | Welcome and registration 

15:00–15:15 | Opening remarks 

Salvador Carranza, Director of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and the organising team. 

15:15–16:30 | The ERC and the future of European research 

• Keynote Lecture: Susanna Narotzky (European Research Council and University of Barcelona)
• What’s the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG)? Agnieszka Wykowska (Italian Institute of Technology) and Emma Motrico (University of Seville)

16:30–17:00 | Coffee break 

17:00–18:30 | Insights from researchers and institutions in Spain

• Results from a recent survey of ERC grantees in Spain: Elisabetta Aurino (University of Barcelona)
• How can institutions best help ERC grantees?
• Miguel Arocena (Ikerbasque)
• María Mar Delgado Serrano (International University of Andalucía)
• Speaker TBC (CSIC)
• Julio Marchamalo Amado (ERC National Contact Point)
• How to maintain a well-funded group over time?
• Tomàs Marquès Bonet (Institute of Evolutionary Biology)
• Joan Llull (Institute for Economic Analysis)
• Q&A

18:30 – 19:00 | Closing discussion and future directions

19:00 – onwards | Networking drinks and dinner

Location: Restaurant Ca la Nuri (paid individually by each attendee, approx. €40)

Practical information 

Venue: Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE, CSIC–UPF) 

CMIMA building (Mediterranean Marine and Environmental Research Center) 
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37–49 
08003 Barcelona, Spain 

Date: Monday, 30 November 2026 

Format: Hybrid, in person and online 

Target audience: Current and former ERC grantees, and researchers interested in applying to future calls 

Fee: Free of charge 

Registration: registration form 

About the AERG 

The AERG is an international non-profit organisation based in Brussels. Its membership comprises current and former European Research Council (ERC) grantees, a community of around 18,000 researchers committed to excellent research across Europe. Its main objectives are to connect the ERC community; communicate research findings to the public, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders; and advocate for the importance of fundamental research in knowledge-based societies. Its mission is to raise the profile of, promote and champion fundamental research in Europe. More information.