More than 200 researchers from 35 countries who work at universities and research centres in the Basque Country gathered today at the GOe - Gastronomy Open Ecosystem building of the Basque Culinary Center in Donostia-San Sebastián, at an event organised by Ikerbasque with the aim of strengthening connections within the Basque scientific community, generating new collaborations and encouraging knowledge exchange across disciplines.
The event has become established as a space for sharing experiences, exploring potential collaborations and analysing the challenges that will shape research in the coming years. In a context in which science is increasingly advancing through interdisciplinary approaches, initiatives of this kind are essential for generating new ideas and contributing to the scientific development of the Basque Country.
The event was opened by the Basque Government’s Minister for Science, Universities and Innovation, Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias, together with Ikerbasque’s Scientific Director, Fernando Cossío, and the Director for Science Policy, Amaia Esquisabel, who thanked Ikerbasque’s research staff for their work.
In his address, after thanking the researchers present for their work, Pérez Iglesias presented the reformulation of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Plan 2030 (PCTI 2030), recently approved by the Basque Government. He also encouraged the Basque research community, and Ikerbasque researchers in particular, to contribute actively to its development and to the Innovation Beacons strategy, which seeks to channel scientific knowledge and innovation towards generating economic and social impact, responding to the Basque Country’s main challenges.
“The PCTI 2030 sets a clear direction for the Basque Country in a context of profound technological, energy, demographic and health transformations. We now need highly qualified researchers to help turn that vision into projects capable of generating knowledge, innovation and value for society as a whole,” he said.
In this regard, the Minister also highlighted the opportunities that will be offered by the new Programme of Grants to Promote Innovation Beacons (Operational φ), whose first call will be published next September. The programme, endowed with 12 million euros annually, will run from 2026 to 2030 and, in this first phase, will include specific instruments to support public strategies, challenge-oriented innovation projects, excellence initiatives that have received positive evaluations in European programmes, and major scientific and technological infrastructures.
“We have a first-rate research community. Its ability to anticipate solutions, generate new ideas and work collaboratively will be key to strengthening our scientific and technological capabilities and ensuring that the Basque Country continues to advance as a European benchmark in innovation and knowledge,” the Minister concluded.
For his part, Fernando Cossío wished to highlight the journey undertaken by Ikerbasque researchers throughout their careers: “I would like to thank the entire Ikerbasque community present here today. It is magnificent to see how our community has grown over these 20 years. You have brought your knowledge and your passion, becoming the heart and soul of Ikerbasque, which has built bridges with leading research institutions around the world. Thank you for your decision to bring your research to the Basque Country. Thank you for your contributions and for your fruitful collaboration with the Basque Scientific Community.”
Sharing Experiences To Generate New Opportunities
Following the institutional opening, participants were divided into different working groups to present their lines of research, exchange experiences and analyse the main challenges associated with their scientific activity.
Through collaborative and dialogue-based activities, researchers from a wide range of fields were able to identify common interests, explore possible joint projects and share needs, resources and opportunities that will help strengthen both their current research and future initiatives.
The diversity of profiles present at the event fostered connections between disciplines that may appear distant, but which share methodologies, research questions or similar challenges. This exchange of knowledge opens up new avenues for the development of innovative projects and strengthens the capacity of the Basque scientific ecosystem to address some of the major scientific, technological and social challenges of the coming years.
With this event, Ikerbasque reaffirms its commitment to creating a connected, collaborative and international research community, capable of generating knowledge of excellence and contributing to the economic and social development of the Basque Country.
.png)
