The call for special subsidies to fund research and innovation projects is part of the Barcelona Science Plan 2020-2023. The call has a fund of one million euros, with the City Council providing 600,000 euros and the Fundació “la Caixa” providing 400,000 euros. The application period is open until 19 May (inclusive) and the maximum subsidy for a single project is 150,000 euros, which may cover the full cost of the work.

Projects to tackle the most pressing urban challenges

Proposals must tackle the urban challenge from an interdisciplinary metropolitan perspective, have the goal of providing scientific evidence and inspiring political decisions in the city of Barcelona and be original, without prejudice to the right of applicants to register in or continue in existing lines of research. Projects must also address topics from a local perspective, taking into account the context of Barcelona and the metropolitan area. Projects which obtained subsidies in the 2019 and 2021 calls by the City Council and the Fundació la “Caixa” will not be eligible for the 2022 call. In terms of duration, projects must be carried out within a maximum time frame of 18 months from the point of notification.

Projects must be put forward by groups made up of a minimum of three different organisations working cooperatively, to foster synergies and optimise the design, implementation and promotion of projects. Another goal is to forge alliances between various stakeholders in the group, that is, those physically carrying out the project, and in the methodology, development and treatment of scientific topics. Finally, projects must take into account the gender dimension.