Deadline: 25-Feb-2026
The ‘la Caixa’ Foundation is inviting applications for innovative healthcare research projects in Spain and Portugal. Grants of up to €300,000 are available for pilot studies, retrospective evaluations, and new interventions that improve health promotion, disease prevention, and sustainable healthcare solutions. Projects must adopt applied research approaches, demonstrate scalability, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
Overview
The ‘la Caixa’ Foundation supports applied research that advances health promotion, disease prevention, and the development of effective healthcare interventions. This funding opportunity aims to address real-world health challenges and generate scalable, evidence-based solutions. Researchers are expected to design rigorous studies that deliver meaningful outcomes. Interdisciplinary collaboration, including partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), is encouraged where relevant. Total funding of up to €2.5 million is available, allocated across different project types: Pilot studies: Up to €500,000; Retrospective evaluations: Up to €750,000; New interventions: Up to €1.25 million.
Funding Categories
1. Pilot Studies
Pilot studies test the feasibility of health interventions at a small scale. Funding: Up to €80,000. Duration: Up to 2 years. Goal: Assess preliminary feasibility before scaling up.
2. Retrospective Evaluations
These studies evaluate the effectiveness and impact of existing healthcare interventions. Funding: Up to €150,000. Duration: Up to 2 years. Goal: Generate evidence for decision-making and policy improvement.
3. New Interventions
Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative healthcare solutions. Funding: Up to €300,000. Duration: Up to 3 years. Goal: Develop scalable, sustainable interventions with measurable outcomes.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: Host Organization (HO): Non-profit research institutions based in Spain or Portugal. Project Leader (PL): Principal investigator at the HO, responsible for submission and project coordination. Partner Organizations: Can be based outside Spain/Portugal, but their budget cannot exceed 30% of the total project cost. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Non-profit, non-research-focused entities like patient associations can participate. Companies: Cannot be team members but may provide subcontracted services. Project Location: All research activities must take place in Spain or Portugal. Team Members: Must be affiliated with HO, partner organizations, or participating CSOs.
Why It Matters
This initiative addresses key challenges in healthcare: Encourages evidence-based interventions for public health improvement. Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex health problems. Supports scalable solutions that can be implemented beyond pilot studies. Enhances sustainability and effectiveness in healthcare systems.
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify your project type. Decide whether your project fits as a pilot study, retrospective evaluation, or new intervention. Step 2: Prepare your proposal. Include clear research objectives, applied research methodology, evidence of scalability, and interdisciplinary team structure. Step 3: Confirm eligibility. Ensure the HO, PL, and all team members meet eligibility requirements. Step 4: Submit proposal. The HO is responsible for submission. Ensure all supporting documents and budget details are included. Step 5: Await evaluation. Proposals will be reviewed based on quality, feasibility, scalability, and alignment with health priorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Exceeding 30% budget allocation for non-Spain/Portugal partners. Including for-profit companies as project team members. Failing to demonstrate a scalable intervention. Ignoring interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. Submitting projects that don’t take place entirely in Spain or Portugal.
FAQ
-
Can international researchers lead the project? No, the project must be led by researchers at a non-profit institution in Spain or Portugal.
-
Are companies eligible to receive funding? Companies cannot be project members but may be subcontracted for services.
-
Can a project involve multiple countries? Yes, but only Spain and Portugal can host the intervention, and partner budgets abroad cannot exceed 30% of total funding.
-
How long can projects last? Pilot studies and retrospective evaluations: up to 2 years; New interventions: up to 3 years.
-
What types of projects are funded? Pilot studies, retrospective evaluations, and new intervention projects focused on applied healthcare research.
-
Can civil society organizations participate? Yes, CSOs like patient associations can join but must be non-profit and non-research-focused.
-
How is funding distributed? Funding is allocated based on project type and quality: Pilot: Up to €80,000; Retrospective: Up to €150,000; New interventions: Up to €300,000.
Conclusions
The ‘la Caixa’ Foundation Healthcare Research Grants provide a strategic opportunity to advance health promotion and disease prevention in Spain and Portugal through applied research. By funding pilot studies, retrospective evaluations, and innovative interventions, the program ensures that research outcomes are evidence-based, scalable, and sustainable. Interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with civil society organizations enhance the relevance and impact of funded projects. Researchers and non-profit institutions can leverage this initiative to implement real-world solutions that improve healthcare delivery, inform policy, and benefit communities.
For more information, visit ”la Caixa” Foundation.
