UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA.

Their core work

UFSC is a major Brazilian federal university that serves as a key South Atlantic and tropical research partner for European consortia. Their core contributions span Atlantic marine ecosystem science — including deep-sea ecology, oceanography, aquaculture, and marine spatial planning — alongside interdisciplinary strengths in data science, organic chemistry, and social sciences. In H2020, they consistently act as a bridge between European and Brazilian/Latin American research communities, bringing regional expertise on tropical and South Atlantic environments that European partners cannot easily access.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), UFSC's participation was diverse and exploratory — spanning marine spatial planning (PADDLE), organic chemistry (OCTA), philosophy (KANTINSA), biosensors (miRNA-DisEASY), and big data analytics (MASTER), mostly through MSCA-RISE staff exchange partnerships. From 2019 onward, their focus consolidated sharply around Atlantic Ocean science: deep-sea ecosystems, climate prediction, aquaculture, and ocean sustainability became dominant, with UFSC joining multiple large RIA consortia as a funded participant rather than a third-party partner.

UFSC is rapidly deepening its role in Atlantic marine science and moving from unfunded third-party status toward fully funded consortium participant, signaling growing European recognition of their South Atlantic expertise.

How they like to work

UFSC never coordinates H2020 projects — they join as participant or third party in large, multi-partner consortia (215 unique partners across 37 countries). Their early projects were largely MSCA-RISE exchanges where they held third-party status without direct EC funding, but recent projects show them as full funded participants in major Research and Innovation Actions. This pattern indicates an organization that provides essential regional expertise and infrastructure access rather than driving project design.

UFSC has built an exceptionally wide network of 215 unique consortium partners across 37 countries, reflecting their role as a go-to Brazilian partner for Atlantic-facing European research. Their geographic connections span EU member states, African coastal nations, and Latin America, making them a natural bridge for tri-continental Atlantic collaborations.

What sets them apart

UFSC is one of the most active Brazilian universities in H2020, offering something European partners cannot replicate: direct access to South Atlantic marine environments, tropical ecosystem data, and Brazilian research networks. Their concentration of five major Atlantic ocean projects makes them the de facto Brazilian node for EU-funded Atlantic science. For any consortium needing a credible, well-connected Brazilian partner — especially in marine, climate, or aquaculture research — UFSC is a proven choice with an established track record.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MISSION ATLANTIC
  Largest single EC contribution to UFSC (EUR 507,115), focused on mapping and assessing the Atlantic Ocean's ecosystem for sustainable development through 2026.
• iAtlantic
  Major integrated assessment of Atlantic marine ecosystems spanning deep-sea to surface, with UFSC contributing South Atlantic field expertise and data.
• THETRANCE
  Uniquely positioned project studying therapeutic effects of spiritual trance in Brazilian religions — draws on UFSC's distinctive humanities and medical anthropology strengths.