Seven ICN2 Projects Selected for Severo Ochoa Seed Funding in the First Call of the Year

by Arlet Lozano Arenas

The 12-month projects, characterised by a clear and emerging research direction, are expected to impact future society significantly.

ICN2's third Severo Ochoa initiative (2023-2026) established an internal competitive fund to propel emerging topics forward. The Severo Ochoa Seed Funding Programme, co-funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, offers researchers the opportunity to launch innovative projects that add value to the European industry within a limited 365-day timeframe. This action is part of the CEX2021-001214-S grant, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, under the 2021 call for granting accreditations and public aid to Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence and María de Maeztu Units of Excellence associated with these accreditations. Commencing on May 1, 2024, participants are expected to deliver tangible results within this period. Despite the time constraint, the programme provides vital support, offering a maximum of €15k per project.

Furthermore, this effort will guarantee a commitment to hosting at least two proposal calls. The next call for the Seed Funding Programme will reopen in Autumn 2024, with the official exact date to be announced before the end of summer 2024.

On this call, projects were evaluated based on their excellence, scientific and/or technological impact, feasibility, and expected outcomes. Additionally, they were required to showcase both potential and a strategy for ensuring further external funding beyond the initial 12-month funding period. Finally, 10% of the assessment was allocated to Principal Investigators (PIs) who are not group leaders. This allocation also considered gender balance, fostering collaboration within the project, and alignment with the objectives of the Severo Ochoa programme.

We extend our warmest congratulations to the ICN2 researchers selected for this grant. The following list comprises the seven projects and 14 recipients of this financial support:

Tailoring 2D materials through giant-surface-POtential-induced shift in electronic LEvels with organic films (2DiPOLE): Cristian Rodriguez, from Thermal Properties of Nanoscale Materials Group.
Unveiling The Incorporation of NRR/NER Electrocatalysts in N2-Cathodes for Novel Future Batteries (CATANIA): Rosa M. Gonzalez, Novel Energy-Oriented Materials Group, Camilo Mesa (Nanoelectrocatalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group) and Sara Martí (Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group)
Au@CeO2 Nanoparticles as Advanced Dual Theragnostic Agents for Enhanced CT Imaging Contrast and Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress Mitigation (CEOTOM): Neus Gómez and Muriel Freixanet, both from the Inorganic Nanoparticles Group
Exploring the Catalytic Activity of High-Entropy Oxides in Seawater Electrolysis for Green Hydrogen Production (ELECTROSEA): Alba Garzón, from the Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group, and Alejandro Gómez, from the Magnetic Nanostructures Group
Enhanced NEUROelectronic interfacing through bioinspired BONDing (NEUROBOND): Salvio Suarez (Nanostructured Functional Materials Group) and Eduard Masvidal (Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices Group)
MOP-based nanophotonic sensor for simultaneous identification of multiple hazardous pollutants in water environments (SAMOA): Patricia Ramirez, from the NanoBiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group, and Arnau Carné, from the Supramolecular NanoChemistry and Materials Group
Strained Transition metal dichalcogenides for (Electro)-Chemical Reaction Control (STRIDE-MoD): M. José Esplandiu, from the Magnetic Nanostructures Group, and Marianna Sledzinska, from the Thermal Properties of Nanoscale Materials Group)