The Tarragona Provincial Council has presented, this Wednesday, September 9 at the Provincial Council Palace, the latest developments in a line of aid intended to support the work of the region’s research centers , which was launched for the first time last year with a total allocation of up to €600,000. The objective, as mentioned, is to continue strengthening the role of research centers as engines of development, innovation and knowledge transfer.
The first call for funding supported projects from seven research centers, including IRB CatSud, which received €100,000 – the maximum awarded per center – to finance the Health and Sustainability Innovation Network – XISS project, which gave life to the creation of the Clinical Research Unit (UIC), which must allow access to clinical trials in all phases for the citizens of Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre.
As noted by the Provincial Council, the corporation maintains this line of aid this year, thus consolidating a specific line of support for research. As explained by the first vice-president and deputy delegate for European Projects and Knowledge Region, Rubén Viñuales, this first experience “has allowed us to verify the strength and diversity of the research system in the regions of Tarragona, with projects linked to areas such as health, sustainability, chemistry, agri-food, biotechnology, heritage or wine innovation”.
With the support of the Provincial Council of Tarragona.
The grants, with more than €270,000 in funding, support advanced projects in personalized radiotherapy and artificial intelligence. A third grant is aimed at specialized training in molecular oncology
The Spanish Association Against Cancer in Tarragona presented on Thursday, 19 February, the three grants awarded for the 2025 call. These grants show a strong commitment to cancer research and to the goal of reaching a 70% cancer survival rate by 2030.
Two of the funded researchers work at the Institute of Biomedical Research of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV). They lead projects that combine technology, innovation, and clinical impact: Dr Bárbara Antonia Malavé and Marta Canela.
Dr Bárbara Antonia Malavé has received the Clinic Junior Grant AECC 2025, supporting a project focused on improving radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. The project uses advanced biomarkers and artificial intelligence to adapt treatments to each patient. The grant provides €154,000 over four years.
Also at IRB CatSud, Marta Canela has received the AECC Tarragona Predoctoral Grant 2025. Her research combines medical imaging and blood analysis to predict how patients with lung cancer will respond to radiotherapy. The grant provides €110,660 over four years.
The third grant has been awarded to Maria Guirro, who will receive the Clinic Training Grant AECC 2025. The €7,100 contribution will allow her to complete the Master’s Degree in Molecular Oncology (MOM).