UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Their core work

UFRGS is a major Brazilian public university in Porto Alegre that brings deep materials science and environmental engineering expertise to European research consortia. Their H2020 work spans nanomaterials for cultural heritage conservation, geomaterial stabilisation for infrastructure, and agroecological food systems research. They typically contribute as a third-party or partner, providing specialized knowledge in advanced materials characterisation, soil mechanics, and sensor technologies to large international projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UFRGS entered H2020 through advanced nanomaterials work — graphene, nanocellulose, nanocontainers, and SERS substrates — applied specifically to art conservation and restoration (2015-2018). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted toward applied environmental and infrastructure challenges: soil stabilisation, geomaterials reuse, sensor technologies, and most recently agroecological food systems. The trajectory shows a move from fundamental materials science toward sustainability-oriented applied research with stronger societal impact dimensions.

UFRGS is pivoting from laboratory-scale nanomaterials toward applied sustainability research — food systems, waste-to-resource, and infrastructure resilience — making them increasingly relevant for Green Deal-aligned consortia.

How they like to work

UFRGS has never coordinated an H2020 project, participating exclusively as a partner or third party — typically contributing specialist expertise to large, established consortia. With 106 unique consortium partners across 25 countries from just 5 projects, they operate within very large international networks rather than leading them. This profile suggests a reliable specialist contributor that European coordinators bring in for specific Brazilian or Southern Hemisphere expertise and materials science capabilities.

Despite only 5 projects, UFRGS has touched 106 unique partners across 25 countries, reflecting participation in large MSCA-RISE mobility networks and Innovation Action consortia. Their network spans Europe and Latin America, with the Amazon research (ODYSSEA) and food systems work (ATTER) adding strong South American connections.

What sets them apart

UFRGS offers a rare combination: advanced materials science capabilities (nanomaterials, sensors, geomaterials) housed in a major Brazilian university with strong connections to both European research networks and South American field contexts. For consortium builders, they provide access to Brazilian research infrastructure, Amazonian and Southern Hemisphere case studies, and MSCA mobility exchange partnerships. Their cross-disciplinary range — from nanoparticle synthesis to agroecology — makes them unusually versatile for a third-country partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NANORESTART
  Applied advanced nanomaterials (graphene, nanocellulose, nanocontainers) to the unusual domain of art restoration — a distinctive cross-disciplinary combination.
• GeoRes
  Long-running project (2018-2023) on converting waste geomaterials into infrastructure resources, directly relevant to circular economy priorities.
• ATTER
  Their most recent project (2021-2025) signals a strategic shift into food systems and agroecological transitions, a high-priority EU funding area.