ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Research

Applied science in the service of society and global sustainability

Through more than 70 R+D projects, in 2025 we contribute to the advancement of global knowledge, highlighting our participation in key international initiatives that address major environmental challenges

In 2025, IHCantabria consolidated its position as a reference in research, reinforcing its role in the generation of knowledge and the development of solutions to global environmental challenges.

During the year, IHCantabria participated in 73 R+D projects. Among them, it is worth mentioning the new monetary contribution to finance the projects linked to the Marine Science Program (PCM), which guarantees the continuity of its strategic lines and its contribution to the advancement of the Blue Economy. The PCM projects, whose value exceeded 1.2 million euros in 2025, contributed significantly to the total R+D funding, which reached more than 5.7 million euros in the year.

The competitiveness of IHCantabria’s research lines and the excellence of its research staff have been recognized through the attraction of highly competitive funding in different calls for proposals. In 2025, two Ramón y Cajal (R+C) contracts were initiated, aimed at research consolidation, to which two more contracts have been awarded for 2026. A Juan de la Cierva Grant was also awarded, aimed at favoring specialization and the development of research careers in post-doctoral stages. Also noteworthy is the award of a Leonardo Grant from the BBVA Foundation, aimed at researchers with high innovative potential.

In terms of academic training, 2025 concluded with the defense of three doctoral theses, reflecting the institute’s commitment to training new researchers and developing capabilities in strategic areas.

In parallel, the creation and consolidation of the Ecosystem-based Coastal Protection Research Group (PROECO), whose activity focuses on the study of Nature-Based Solutions and hybrid solutions as coastal protection measures, has been promoted. This group reinforces the scientific capabilities of the institute in a strategic area, aligned with the challenges of adaptation to climate change and the sustainability of coastal systems.

The impact of the research activity is also reflected in the scientific production achieved during the year, with more than 75 articles published in high impact indexed scientific journals, including prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, One Earth or Scientific Data. These results demonstrate IHCantabria’s commitment to scientific excellence and to relevant and internationally competitive research.

Likewise, the work developed by the team has been recognized through several awards, both individual and collective, reinforcing the reputation of IHCantabria as a center of scientific excellence and highlighting the impact and quality of its contributions at national and international levels.