UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA

Their core work

UPF is a research-intensive university in Barcelona with deep strengths in computational neuroscience, AI/machine learning, music technology, and social sciences. They are a major contributor to the Human Brain Project and broader brain simulation efforts, combining high-performance computing with biological modeling. Their departments span from bioinformatics and health informatics to economics, political science, and digital media — making them unusually versatile for a single institution. They consistently win competitive individual grants (ERC, Marie Curie) while also coordinating large collaborative projects, signaling strong research talent across multiple faculties.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), UPF's work centered on computational neuroscience (brain simulation, neuroinformatics, neuromorphic computing), complex systems modeling, and economics topics like international trade and financial crises. By 2019–2022, their focus shifted markedly toward applied AI (machine learning, deep neural networks, reinforcement learning), open science infrastructure (EOSC), and socially engaged research (gender, citizen science, citizen participation). Health applications — depression, cardiovascular disease, epigenetics — also emerged as a distinct recent thread, suggesting their computational strengths are being redirected toward clinical impact.

UPF is pivoting from fundamental brain modeling toward applied AI and data-driven health research, while building open science infrastructure capacity — expect them to seek collaborations combining ML with clinical or societal applications.

How they like to work

UPF leads more often than it follows: 92 of 169 projects as coordinator (54%), which is exceptional for a university and signals strong project management capacity. With 935 unique partners across 52 countries, they operate as a network hub rather than sticking to a small circle of repeat collaborators. Their funding profile — heavy on individual ERC and Marie Curie grants alongside large RIA consortia — means they bring both top individual researchers and institutional coordination experience to any partnership.

UPF has built one of the broadest collaboration networks among Spanish universities, working with 935 distinct partners across 52 countries. Their reach spans all of Europe and extends globally, reflecting both their Human Brain Project involvement and their diverse thematic portfolio.

What sets them apart

UPF's rare combination of computational neuroscience, music/audio technology, and social science research under one roof makes them an unusually versatile partner. Few universities can offer brain simulation expertise alongside political science analysis and creative technology design. Their Barcelona location and high coordinator rate make them an attractive lead partner for Southern European-anchored consortia needing multidisciplinary depth without assembling separate specialist institutions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HBP SGA1
  Part of the €1B+ Human Brain Project flagship — UPF contributed brain simulation, neuroinformatics, and HPC expertise to one of Europe's largest research initiatives.
• HISTROOTS
  €1.7M ERC-funded project coordinated by UPF investigating historical roots of conflict from prehistory to colonization — their largest single grant and a showcase of social science ambition.
• SocialMedia
  €1.17M project on social media's role in political participation and accountability — coordinated by UPF, combining political science with digital methods at a timely intersection.