Galicia is the region with the highest growth in R&D spending (+28% in 2023, according to INE data), reaching €963 million, and according to the journal Nature, it is becoming an emerging scientific powerhouse. The Galician Innovation Agency (Axencia Galega de Innovación), which works to boost Galicia’s R&D&I ecosystem, launched the Oportunius Programme in 2014 with the aim of attracting national and international scientific talent. Since then, it has supported 34 ERC researchers, 20 of whom have been directly hired as distinguished research staff, leading 42 projects in Galician organisations.
At the 12th SRUK/CERU International Symposium, we learned some details about this programme, a talent attraction initiative focused on scientific excellence that offers complementary funding and advantageous working conditions for researchers who hold a European Research Council (ERC) grant and wish to transfer their project to one of the Galician host institutions collaborating in the programme.
For finalists in ERC calls, Oportunius offers financial support and training services, proposal review and interview preparation to increase the chances of success in subsequent calls. Training and proposal review services are also offered to potential candidates applying to a Galician host institution.
In addition, researchers of Galician origin or descendants of Galician emigrants can also benefit from other initiatives of the Xunta de Galicia, such as the Galicia Retorna Strategy, which offers specific support on issues such as access to housing or schooling for the children of returnees, for example, and which has a Comprehensive Return Advice and Monitoring Office.
You can find more information and contact details for the Galician Innovation Agency (Axencia Galega de Innovación) at the following links.
The Galician Innovation Agency is a partner of our symposiums.
