The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology funds an IRBLleida science outreach programme

The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation will fund the programme '12 conCiencias para Lleida' of the Institute of Biomedical Research of Lleida to bring science and biomedical research to children, young people and society. Last Friday was published the final resolution of the call for the promotion of scientific, technological and innovation culture of the FECYT, which confirms the allocation of € 15,000 for the IRBLleida.

12 conSciences for Lleida' includes 12 activities that will take place until June 2022. The proposal includes campaigns on social networks to disseminate accurate information about the IRBLleida's research areas, such as cancer or infectious diseases; general research activities such as the 'Research Night'; a 15-day programme for children at risk of social exclusion in Lleida to promote scientific vocations in collaboration with the Fundació Verge Blanca; a training course for IRBLleida staff in scientific dissemination to publicise their research; the launch of the INSPIRACY Lleida conference for young people and other activities such as the #SomRecerca conference. In short, it is a complete programme with activities for different audiences, through the use of different media, and carried out with a gender perspective, both in its organisation and with its final audience. The campaign is also financed by a grant from the Diputació de Lleida, in its commitment to research in Lleida.

The FECYT was set up by the General State Administration to carry out activities of general interest related to the competences of the Ministry of Science and Innovation in the field of scientific and technical research, development and innovation. According to its statutes, the FECYT's founding purpose is to promote scientific research of excellence as well as the development and technological innovation necessary to increase the competitiveness of Spanish industry and improve the quality of life of citizens, encouraging collaboration between the agents involved in R&D&I activities and the dissemination and communication of the results and actions carried out in research and innovation. Since 2007, it has been organising calls for applications for grants aimed primarily at agents in the Spanish science, technology and business system to carry out activities to promote scientific, technological and innovation culture, encouraging science, technology and innovation to be brought closer to the public, improving scientific and technical education in society at all levels and promoting the active participation of society in R&D&I processes.