After the success of the two previous editions, in September we presented the third call for applications for the Pasqual Maragall Researchers Programme research grants (PMRP), with the aim of promoting research in this field. In this new edition, we have received a total of 49 applications (Letter Of Intent – LOI), of which 28 correspond to collaborative projects and 21 to individual projects.It is particularly noteworthy that more than 40% of requests (21 of the 49) are projects led by women.
The PMRP 2024 has a budget of 1.6 million euros and is directed both to individual projects, led by a principal investigator, such as collaborative projects, of a maximum of three groups, coordinated by a principal investigator of the consortium who carries out their research activity in public or non-profit research organizations in Spain.
Each winning application may receive up to 800,000 euros to develop their research for a period maximum of five years.
In terms of territorial distribution, the majority of applications come from Catalonia (22), the Community of Madrid (7) and the Basque Country (7), although applications have also been submitted from Andalusia, Asturias, Castilla-La Mancha, the Balearic Islands, Navarre and the Valencian Country. The applications also include 15 collaborations with international researchers from centers located in Germany, Belgium and the United States, among others.
An external evaluation committee composed of experts will review each application, and the final decision is expected in July 2025.
To date, the PMRP has supported five research projects of excellence in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, led by Silvia De Santis (Alicante Institute of Neurosciences, CSIC); Alberto Rábano (Center for Research in Neurological Diseases (CIEN)); Pablo Martínez-Lage (CITA Foundation-Alzheimer Fundazioa); Hugo Peluffo (University of Barcelona); and Jose V Sanchez-Mut (Alicante Institute of Neurosciences, CSIC).
