UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA

Their core work

UAB is a major Spanish research university with deep strengths in social sciences, environmental research, and materials science. Their H2020 portfolio reveals a university that bridges hard science (nanoporous materials, spintronics, biocatalysis, mitochondrial research) with social and environmental analysis (political ecology, environmental justice, inequality, migration policy). They run one of the largest MSCA postdoctoral fellowship programs in Spain (P-SPHERE), training researchers across disciplines from food science to smart cities. UAB consistently translates fundamental research into applied outcomes in areas like nutrient recovery, citizen science, and circular economy.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), UAB concentrated on political ecology, environmental justice, environmental history, and mining conflicts — largely qualitative social science paired with materials research (graphene, electronics, nanoporous materials). By the later period (2019–2022), the focus shifted markedly toward health, citizen science, circular economy, nutrient and resource recovery, and social integration. This evolution shows a university moving from descriptive environmental and social analysis toward applied, participatory, and solutions-oriented research with stronger links to bioeconomy and sustainability.

UAB is pivoting toward participatory and applied sustainability research — expect growing capacity in citizen science, bio-based materials, and resource recovery that bridges social and natural sciences.

How they like to work

UAB acts as both a frequent coordinator (82 of 193 projects, 42%) and a reliable consortium partner, comfortable in either role. With 1,533 unique partners across 81 countries, they operate as a major European hub rather than sticking to a fixed set of collaborators — this breadth makes them easy to integrate into new consortia. Their heavy use of MSCA fellowships (39 projects) and CSA coordination actions (21 projects) shows they invest significantly in people mobility and network-building, making them a natural connector organization.

UAB has built an exceptionally wide network of 1,533 unique consortium partners spanning 81 countries, making them one of the most connected Spanish universities in H2020. Their reach extends well beyond Europe into Latin America (visible in projects like INCASI and NANOREMOVAS with Argentine partners) and developing countries.

What sets them apart

UAB's distinctive strength is the rare combination of hard materials science (spintronics, nanotechnology, biocatalysis) with world-class social and environmental research — most universities lean heavily one way. This makes them uniquely valuable for interdisciplinary projects that require both technical innovation and social impact assessment, responsible research and innovation (RRI), or co-creation with communities. Their massive MSCA fellowship infrastructure (P-SPHERE alone was EUR 5M) also makes them an ideal host for researcher exchanges and training networks.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEUROMITO
  EUR 1.5M ERC project on neuronal susceptibility to mitochondrial disease, representing UAB's focused biomedical research strength.
• P-SPHERE
  UAB's largest H2020 project (EUR 5.1M) — a COFUND postdoctoral program spanning mental health, cultural heritage, food, materials, and smart cities, showcasing the university's breadth.
• SPIN-PORICS
  EUR 1.8M ERC-funded project merging nanoporous materials with energy-efficient spintronics — demonstrates frontier materials science capability.