FAQs

The beneficiary must be a public-sector or non-profit legal entity that owns or co-owns the asset/s resulting from scientific research, and is located and registered in Spain or Portugal.

No, established companies are explicitly excluded both as beneficiary institutions and partner institutions in consortia. Nor can public-sector or non-profit beneficiary institutions apply if their asset/s have already been transferred to a for-profit institution different from a linked third party.

Yes, a participating project may incorporate a spin-off company (considered linked third party along the participation of the project in the programme), although the support of the programme will remain exclusively for the beneficiary entity to support approved activities. If the asset/s is/are transferred to a for-profit entity (i.e. an entity different from the spin-off company), ”la Caixa” Foundation may cease to fund the activities of the project covered by the grant.

Only those companies linked to projects still active in the CaixaImpulse Innovation programme, whose project agreement with the “la Caixa” Foundation has not ended, will be eligible as linked third parties.

It offers financial support for up to €700,000 if the project runs through all the stages (€50,000 max. in stage 1; €150,000 max. in stage 2; €500,000 max. in stage 3). Also, non-financial support that includes the support of mentors, consultants, specialised training in different areas and networking activities.

The online application platform will provide the candidate with specific guidelines to assess the level of maturity of the project. With this information, the candidate will be able to choose the most suitable stage and a different form will appear on the platform depending on the stage selected.

Yes, one entity is entitled to submit different projects. Each application has to be associated to different asset/s and be led by a different project leader.

No, a project leader cannot submit more than one proposal, but they can lead a project and be a consortium partner in a different project at the same time.

Yes. In the case of co-owned asset/s or projects in consortia, all stakeholders should accept the application through the online application platform. In the case of consortia, in addition to the applicant institution, a maximum of 4 members is allowed. These members must be public-sector or non-profit institutions from the EU, or from non-EU member states that are eligible under EU laws.

In that case, the beneficiary institution will receive and distribute the project funding among the other consortium members as specified in the project agreement. The beneficiary will be responsible for justifying the expenses incurred by all consortium members and for the reimbursement of the financial support. The co-owners of the asset/s are not entitled to receive financing unless they are included as partner institutions in a consortium.

Yes, although the applicant institution, either by itself or together with other non-profit institutions, must own more than 50 % of the asset/s.

Yes, you can. In that case you must apply to the stage that best suits the status of your project.

Projects previously awarded in Health Research Calls/CaixaImpulse Validate editions may apply exclusively to stage 3 of this call with the same asset/s. Projects that have been awarded in Health Research Calls/CaixaImpulse Consolidate calls are not eligible for this call.

Each beneficiary institution and consortium partner is entitled to a maximum of 10 % of the budget to cover overheads exclusively in stages 2 and 3 of the programme.

Maximum 12 months for stage 1, maximum 24 months for stage 2 and maximum 24 months for stage 3.

Yes, participants will have a travel allowance at their disposal to cover travel expenses to attend the activities organised within the framework of the programme (€1,000 max. in stages 1 and 3; €4,000 max. in stage 2) that will be added to the given subsidy granted.

Immediately after signing the project agreement, the project will receive an initial payment which may vary depending on the stage. Subsequent payments will be distributed according to the submission of progress reports and the fulfilment of key performance indicators.

All projects awarded in stages 1 and 2 may apply to proceed to the next stage of the programme before the end of the project agreement period and at least after a mid-project follow-up meeting. The project leader will submit an application through the online application platform and will be invited to present the new proposal to the evaluation committee, along with other external and internal candidates.

The training programme is compulsory for project leaders participating in stage 2 and will be open to other project team members if required. The attendance is optional for projects in stages 1 and 3.

This must be their main occupation so that they can lead the approved activities in the project valorisation/development plan and participate in programme activities, including training sessions for stage 2 projects, meetings with mentors and consultants, networking activities, follow-up meetings and preparation of progress reports and required deliverables.

For projects awarded in stages 2 and 3, ”la Caixa” Foundation could ask for the reimbursement of the financial support when the indicators established in the rules for participation of the call are achieved. In addition, if the asset/s is/are to be exploited by means of a spin-off company, ”la Caixa” Foundation or any entity within the Criteria Group shall have the free-of-charge right to subscribe for 1 % of the shares of the spin-off company.