Citizen Science and Participatory Research Projects

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

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

Evaluation and Selection of the proposals
January–February 2027

Announcement of Results
February 2027

Project Implementation Period
March 2027–December 2028

The Citizen Science and Participatory Research Projects call supports the design and implementation of citizen science and participatory research initiatives in the field of biomedicine and health. From defining research questions to collecting data and interpreting results, the programme promotes innovative approaches and meaningful participation throughout the research process.

This call is open to researchers and fellows currently or previously affiliated with the ”la Caixa” Foundation’s research, innovation or fellowship programmes. To be eligible, applicants must belong to at least one of the following categories:

Research and Innovation Calls awardees

• Health Research (Project Leaders of projects funded through the ”la Caixa” Foundation Health Research Call).

• HealthCare Research (Project Leaders of projects funded through the ”la Caixa” Foundation HealthCare Research Call).

• CaixaImpulse (Project Leaders of projects funded through any stage of the CaixaImpulse Innovation Call).

• ”la Caixa” Foundation Strategic Research Projects (Project Leaders or Principal Investigators of strategic research initiatives funded by the Foundation).

”la Caixa” Foundation Fellows (*)

• Junior Leader fellows in biomedicine and health-related fields.

• INPhINIT doctoral fellows in biomedicine and health-related fields.

• Postgraduate fellows who received their fellowship within the last ten (10) years in biomedicine and health-related fields.

(*) Researchers from disciplines beyond biomedicine and health sciences may also apply, provided that the proposed project is clearly connected to a biomedical or health-related challenge and contributes relevant expertise from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The proposed Citizen Science and Participatory Research Project must be related to the applicant’s research activities within the framework of the ”la Caixa” Foundation programmes. It may build upon a project funded by the Foundation or relate more broadly to the applicant’s line of research and scientific expertise.

Projects should actively involve patients, citizens, communities, societal stakeholders or end users in one or more stages of the research and innovation process, contributing to the generation of scientific knowledge, the advancement of research objectives, the societal relevance of research, and, where appropriate, the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications

Participation may occur at different stages of the research cycle, including the identification of research priorities and questions, the co-design of methodologies, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, dissemination of findings or implementation of solutions. Proposals should demonstrate meaningful participation and a clear contribution to both scientific and societal objectives.

The proposed project shall be developed by a Project Team led by the Applicant and supported by the Applicant’s Host Institution. The Project Team may include researchers, technical staff and professionals with complementary expertise in citizen science, participatory research, public engagement, living lab and co-creation methodologies, or other related approaches.

Depending on the nature of the project, the team may also involve civil society organisations, patient organisations, community groups and other societal stakeholders whose participation contributes to the scientific and societal objectives of the project.

Projects should combine robust research objectives with well-designed participatory approaches capable of generating both scientific and societal value. Particular attention will be given to the quality of the participatory methodology, the relevance of the stakeholders involved and the contribution of participation to the research process and outcomes.

Up to five (5) projects may receive grants of up to €40,000, VAT included when legally applicable.

In addition to financial support, the selected projects may be invited to participate in training, networking and knowledge-sharing activities organised by the “la Caixa” Foundation on topics such as citizen science, participatory research, stakeholder engagement, community participation practices, evaluation methodologies and/ or data management, with the aim to strengthen the quality, impact and long-term sustainability of the funded projects.

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