The UPC hosts a national forum on attracting research talent to Spanish universities

On October 16, 2025, the Talent Recruitment Unit of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) took an active role in the conference “Attracting Talent in Spanish Universities,” hosted at the university’s Vèrtex building on the North Campus.

The event, organized by the Promotion Working Group of the RedOE (Network of European Offices of CRUE), brought together representatives from Spanish universities, the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), and the Agencia Ejecutiva Europea de Investigación (REA) to discuss strategies and European programs for attracting and retaining international research talent.

UPC’s model for identifying and supporting research talent

The UPC’s Head of the Talent Recruitment Unit (UCT), Esther Alsina, participated actively in the roundtable “Organizing Support for Attracting International Talent.” Alsina presented the university’s model for identifying, attracting, and supporting national and international talented researchers, outlining the strategies that guide the UPC’s approach. She also emphasized the importance of a personal approach and the consolidation of a strong digital ecosystem that supports researchers, both in person and online, through every stage of their research careers, while highlighting the need for close coordination between research, human resources, and European project services.

The session, moderated by Núria Claver, Director of the International Projects Office at the UAB and coordinator of the RedOE Promotion Working Group, also included contributions from José Antonio Mahía of the University of A Coruña.

European collaboration and future opportunities

Earlier in the day, Gonzalo Arévalo, Advisor to the Director of the AEI, presented the agency’s current strategies for attracting international talent and its main national support lines. Later, Daniela Radu, from the Agencia Ejecutiva Europea de Investigación (REA), introduced the new Choose Europe for Science 2025 call, aimed at consolidating Europe as a top global destination for research careers through improved working conditions and career development opportunities.

The conference concluded with a roundtable moderated by Cristina Velasco (UC3M), highlighting Horizon Europe as a cornerstone of university strategies for attracting and retaining research talent. Participants from various institutions, including the UAB and the University of Granada, shared best practices and successful initiatives.

A shared commitment to talent and excellence

The meeting closed with a shared vision: Spanish universities must continue to develop coordinated, sustainable policies to reinforce their international presence and provide attractive, high-quality environments for the development of research careers.

For the UPC’s Talent Recruitment Unit, this event represented both an opportunity to share its experience and a reaffirmation of the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering international mobility, collaboration, and research excellence.