UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA

Their core work

The University of Barcelona is one of Spain's largest and most research-intensive universities, with deep strengths in neuroscience, computational modelling, biomedical research, and social sciences. Across 206 H2020 projects, UB contributes advanced simulation capabilities, brain research expertise (from molecular to computational scales), and increasingly, citizen science and open science methodologies. Their work spans from fundamental physics and chemistry to applied health research on conditions like ADHD, Alzheimer's, and liver cirrhosis, making them a versatile academic partner that bridges basic science with societal impact.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), UB concentrated heavily on brain science — human brain simulation, neuroinformatics, neuromorphic computing, mouse brain reconstruction — alongside training networks (MSCA) and social inequality research. By the later period (2019–2022), the focus shifted markedly toward microbiome research, citizen engagement, open science and FAIR data principles, and participatory methods like co-design and co-creation. This evolution reflects a university moving from primarily fundamental computational and neuroscience research toward more society-facing, data-open, and participatory research models.

UB is increasingly positioning itself at the intersection of life sciences (microbiome, omics) and open/participatory research methods — expect future proposals to emphasize responsible research, citizen involvement, and FAIR-compliant data infrastructure.

How they like to work

UB operates as both a frequent consortium leader (80 coordinated projects, ~39% of total) and a reliable partner in large multinational consortia. With 1,367 unique partners across 77 countries, they function as a hub institution — rarely locked into repeat partnerships, instead connecting widely across disciplines and geographies. This makes them easy to approach for new collaborations: they are accustomed to onboarding new partners and managing diverse teams.

UB has collaborated with 1,367 unique partners spanning 77 countries, making it one of the most broadly connected universities in the H2020 landscape. Their network is densely European but extends well beyond the EU, reflecting strong participation in Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility actions and global research initiatives.

What sets them apart

UB combines rare breadth — from theoretical physics and computational neuroscience to social inequality research and citizen engagement — with genuine depth, evidenced by 80 coordinated projects and nearly EUR 79M in EC funding. Unlike narrowly specialized research institutes, UB can contribute to consortia across multiple pillars simultaneously, and their strong MSCA track record (38+ fellowship and training projects) makes them an ideal host for researcher mobility. For consortium builders, UB offers a single partner that can fill both hard-science and social-science work packages.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HaemMetabolome
  Largest single-project funding at UB (EUR 743K) focused on deciphering metabolism of blood cancers — shows their capacity for ambitious biomedical research
• SOLIDUS
  UB-coordinated project on solidarity, social justice, and citizenship across Europe — demonstrates their strength in leading large social science initiatives
• NANORESTART
  Nanomaterials applied to art restoration — an unusual cross-disciplinary application combining materials science with cultural heritage preservation