Breakthrough Conferences on Biomedicine and Health

Call launch and opening of the online system for proposal submission
30 October 2026, at 2 pm CET

Deadline for applications (automatic closure)
4 December 2026, at 2 pm CET

Evaluation and Selection of the proposals
January–February 2027

Resolution announcement
March 2027

Conference implementation period
September 2027–June 2028

The Breakthrough Conferences on Biomedicine and Health support high-level international scientific conferences addressing frontier challenges and emerging opportunities in biomedical and health research. The programme aims to promote scientific excellence, international collaboration, interdisciplinary dialogue, knowledge exchange and the dissemination of research results.

Each conference combines a high-level scientific programme with activities that foster science communication and public engagement, creating opportunities for interaction among researchers, stakeholders and wider audiences.

Project Leaders of projects funded through the ”la Caixa” Foundation Health Research Calls 2023 and 2024 may submit proposals. The Project Leader and the Host Organisation act as the principal organisers of the conference.

The conference topic must be closely related to the project funded through the Health Research Call, while extending beyond the specific project scope to address broader scientific, clinical and societal dimensions. Conferences should focus on frontier topics in biomedical and health research and encourage discussion of emerging discoveries, technologies and their ethical, regulatory, public health and societal implications.

Each proposal must include:

• A Scientific Committee, responsible for the academic quality, scientific rigour and overall excellence of the conference.

• A Logistics and Engagement Office, responsible for operational management and for designing and implementing science communication and public engagement activities associated with the conference.

Collaboration and synergies among researchers supported through the different research and innovation programmes of the ”la Caixa” Foundation are encouraged. Researchers from the Health Research Calls, CaixaImpulse and other related programmes may contribute to the Scientific Committee whenever relevant to the conference topic.

Conferences may adopt flexible formats, including keynote lectures, round tables, debates, panel discussions, workshops and networking activities. The scientific programme should foster scientific exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration.

In addition, conferences may include a dedicated section of science communication and public engagement activities designed to facilitate dialogue between researchers, stakeholders and wider audiences, and to make conference topics accessible and relevant beyond academia.

Conferences may be held, subject to availability, at ”la Caixa” Foundation venues in Spain, including CosmoCaixa Barcelona, Cap Roig and the CaixaForum network (except CaixaForum Barcelona), or at partner venues in Portugal. Conferences must take place between September 2027 and June 2028.

Selected conferences may receive funding of up to €50,000 for the organisation and implementation of the event.

Organizers may also benefit from tailored mentoring and professional support in the design and development of the conference’s science communication and public engagement activities.

Questions and answers: e-mail: [email protected].