FUNDACION UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE

Their core work

Universidad del Norte (UNINORTE) is a Colombian university based in Barranquilla that brings Latin American perspectives to European research consortia, particularly in humanities, social sciences, and public health. Their H2020 involvement centers on Atlantic history and cultural heritage, women's entrepreneurship education, and Zika virus preparedness — reflecting their geographic position as a Caribbean-Atlantic knowledge hub. They serve as a bridge connecting European researchers with Latin American networks, field sites, and regional expertise that would otherwise be inaccessible to EU-only consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UNINORTE's early H2020 participation (2015-2016) focused on social sciences — women's entrepreneurship education and the beginnings of Atlantic historical research. By 2018-2019, their portfolio expanded in two directions: deeper into Atlantic cultural heritage (maritime landscapes, underwater archaeology, port cities via CONCHA and ConnecCaribbean) and into public health emergency research (Zika preparedness). The shift suggests a university broadening from pure humanities into interdisciplinary work that connects history, health, and regional networks.

UNINORTE is deepening its role as the go-to Latin American partner for Atlantic-world research — spanning cultural heritage, colonial history, and tropical disease networks — making them increasingly valuable for any EU project needing Caribbean or Colombian field connections.

How they like to work

UNINORTE exclusively participates as a partner or third party — never as coordinator — which is typical for non-EU organizations in H2020. They work in large consortia (58 unique partners across 24 countries in just 5 projects), indicating they join broad, multi-country research networks rather than small focused teams. This makes them a reliable consortium member who brings regional access without demanding project leadership.

With 58 unique consortium partners across 24 countries from only 5 projects, UNINORTE operates within large international networks. Their geographic focus bridges Europe and Latin America, particularly the Caribbean and Atlantic regions.

What sets them apart

UNINORTE is one of very few Colombian universities active in H2020, giving them a rare position as a direct Latin American entry point for European consortia. Their combination of Atlantic history expertise and Caribbean geographic location makes them uniquely qualified for any project studying colonial trade, maritime heritage, or tropical health challenges in the region. For consortium builders, they solve the common problem of needing a credible Latin American academic partner with proven EU project experience.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ZikaPLAN
  Received EUR 274,990 to build a Latin American Zika preparedness network — directly relevant to global health emergency response and one of the few health projects connecting EU and Colombian researchers.
• ArtEmpire
  ERC Consolidator Grant project (EUR 417,250 to UNINORTE) studying the Panamanian Junction as an artery of empire — their largest funded project and a prestigious ERC involvement.
• CONCHA
  Connects underwater archaeology, maritime landscapes, and Atlantic port city history — an unusually interdisciplinary cultural heritage project spanning marine science and humanities.