CONSEJO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Y TECNICAS (CONICET)

Their core work

CONICET is Argentina's principal national research council, operating a vast network of research institutes and laboratories across all scientific disciplines. In H2020, it primarily serves as a non-EU third-party partner in MSCA-RISE staff exchange programmes, contributing specialized expertise in life sciences, materials science, environmental research, and social sciences. Their researchers participate in international knowledge exchange by hosting visiting European scientists and sending Argentine researchers to EU labs, providing access to Southern Hemisphere field sites, unique biological samples, and Latin American socio-political perspectives that European consortia cannot source domestically.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015-2018), CONICET's H2020 involvement centred on molecular biology, food chemistry (olive oil authenticity, lactic acid bacteria), and environmental analytical chemistry — largely lab-bench science with direct applied outcomes. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted markedly toward large-scale environmental systems (coastal carbon, nature-based solutions, climate-water nexus), social sciences (Latin American development, contested territories), and advanced materials (memristors, photonics). This broadening reflects a move from discipline-specific contributions toward integrated, transdisciplinary research where CONICET provides the Latin American dimension that EU consortia increasingly require.

CONICET is expanding from pure laboratory science toward interdisciplinary environmental and socio-political research, making them an increasingly attractive partner for EU projects requiring Global South perspectives and Southern Hemisphere field data.

How they like to work

CONICET never coordinates H2020 projects — their role is exclusively as a third-party partner (36 of 46 projects) or participant (10 projects), almost entirely through MSCA-RISE staff exchange programmes. With 600 unique partners across 76 countries, they operate as a high-connectivity hub rather than a loyal repeat-partner organization, plugging into diverse European consortia on a project-by-project basis. This pattern is typical of major non-EU research councils: they bring domain expertise and access to Argentine research infrastructure without taking on project management responsibilities.

CONICET has collaborated with 600 unique partners across 76 countries, making it one of the most broadly connected non-EU organizations in H2020. Their network spans virtually all of Europe plus Latin America, reflecting their role as a bridge institution connecting EU research with the Southern Hemisphere.

What sets them apart

CONICET is Argentina's largest and most prestigious research institution, giving EU consortia a single entry point to the entire Argentine scientific ecosystem — from Patagonian field stations to Buenos Aires particle physics labs. Their overwhelming presence in MSCA-RISE programmes means they are exceptionally experienced at managing international researcher exchanges and secondments. For any consortium needing Latin American partners, Southern Hemisphere environmental data, or Global South social science perspectives, CONICET is the most proven and connected choice available.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HYPERNETS
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 320,500) and one of few projects where CONICET is a full participant rather than third party, contributing to Copernicus Earth observation validation networks.
• iAtlantic
  Major marine ecosystem assessment spanning the entire Atlantic, where CONICET provides critical Southern Atlantic deep-sea and benthic ecology expertise unavailable from EU partners.
• MELON
  Represents CONICET's emerging push into advanced nanoelectronics — memristive devices, multiferroics, and neuromorphic computing — a significant departure from their traditional life sciences and environmental work.