FUNDACION CANARIA PARQUE CIENTIFICO TECNOLOGICO DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

Their core work

FCPCT ULPGC is the science and technology park of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, serving as a bridge between academic research and public engagement in the Canary Islands — one of the EU's outermost regions. They specialize in organizing science communication events (particularly the Researchers' Night series across Macaronesia), supporting capacity building for R&I ecosystems in remote island territories, and contributing marine biotechnology expertise in microalgae and blue bioeconomy research. Their role in EU projects is typically as a regional knowledge hub that brings outermost region perspectives and local research infrastructure into broader European consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2014-2018), FCPCT combined general science outreach (OurFuture) with hands-on research participation in marine biotechnology (GHaNA) and animal health (Paragone as third party). From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward outermost region policy — the keyword "outermost regions" appears in four of the five later projects — with emphasis on capacity building, R&I ecosystems, Green Deal alignment, and living labs for remote territories. The trajectory shows a move from being a participant in diverse research topics to becoming a regional advocate and coordinator for island-specific innovation agendas.

FCPCT is positioning itself as the go-to partner for any EU initiative that needs outermost region representation, Green Deal adaptation for islands, or living lab deployment in remote Atlantic territories.

How they like to work

FCPCT has never coordinated an H2020 project — they participate as a partner (5 projects) or contribute as a third party (4 projects), typically joining large consortia averaging over 12 partners each. With 114 unique consortium partners across 24 countries, they are well-connected but operate as a supporting player rather than a project driver. This makes them a low-risk consortium addition: they bring outermost region eligibility and local infrastructure without competing for leadership roles.

Remarkably broad network for their size: 114 unique partners across 24 countries, built primarily through large CSA and RIA consortia. Their geographic connections span the EU but have a natural concentration in Atlantic and Mediterranean regions tied to the Macaronesia and island research communities.

What sets them apart

FCPCT's distinctive value lies in their location: the Canary Islands are one of the EU's nine outermost regions, which gives any consortium including them access to a specific geographic and policy category that many EU calls prioritize or require. They combine this geographic asset with genuine expertise in island-specific challenges — climate adaptation, marine resources, remote innovation ecosystems — rather than being a token geographic partner. For any project addressing the Green Deal in island contexts, Atlantic biodiversity, or inclusive R&I for peripheral territories, they are a natural and credible choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GHaNA
  Their most research-intensive project — a 5-year MSCA-RISE collaboration on Haslea microalgae for blue biotechnology, demonstrating genuine lab-level marine biotech capability.
• FORWARD
  Directly addresses EU outermost region R&I ecosystems and capacity building — the clearest expression of their strategic positioning as an island innovation advocate.
• MACARONIGHT 2021
  Their largest single funding (EUR 42,739) and most thematically evolved Researchers' Night, integrating Green Deal, living labs, and climate impact into public engagement.