Research
The University of Navarra Research Foundation ( research ) is the driving force behind the University of Navarra and one of its most significant contributions to the common good. Drawing on a variety of disciplines and through partnership between academic institutions, Schools , and businesses, its researchers seek to push the boundaries of knowledge and address the major challenges of our time with scientific rigor , an interdisciplinary perspective , and a deeply human vision.
Funding for the research
213.182.882€
It is the total sum of all active projects across all of the University's centers, grants for hiring researchers, and R& research and development contracts signed with companies.
744
current research currently underway totaling €156,306,081. Of this amount, €36,757,502 was allocated to 174 new projects in the 2025–26 school year
83
grants for hiring new researchers , with a total budget of €23,392,072
586
contracts with industry, of which 283 were from the “ research and development+I” program and were signedwith companies for a total of €13,136,372. In addition , 135 new contracts were signed for the conduct of clinical trials, and 168 amendments were made to previous contracts initiated by the pharmaceutical industry, with a total “ budget ” of €20,348,357
Our centers in research
The University has seven specialized centers for the " research " program—five of its own and two affiliated (CEIT and CIMA)—as well as two comprehensive centers that combine these elements: research, teaching , and attendance (INS and CCUN).
CEIT Technology Center
*researchresearch center linked to the University of Navarre
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Its main task is to carry out industrial projects of applied research and technological development , in partnership with the Departments of research and development of companies from various sectors (railway, aeronautics, automotive, health, manufacturing, energy or environment).
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399 |
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784 |
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1,066 |
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€65,500,305 |
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404 |
ONE-STOP CENTERS
BOOSTING NUTRITION AND HEALTH
The Institute of Nutrition and Health (INS) comprises research, teaching and clinical care to improve overall health through innovative nutritional solutions. Its approach multidisciplinary connects disciplines, Schools, centers at research , and the Clinic, fostering synergies that transform scientific knowledge into applied solutions and real impact on the health of individuals and society.
research and cancer care
Since 2017, the University of Navarra Cancer Center has integrated the attendance, research , and teaching into its oncology services, backed by more than 40 years of experience and the Clinic’s partnership , the Cima , and various Schools. Recognized in 2025 asa “ core topic ” center for oncological research in Spain and the first non-public hospital accredited by the OECI as a comprehensive cancer center, the CCUN offers patient-centered care, drives scientific advancement, and trains highly qualified professionals.
research pre-doctoral
150
thesis doctoral dissertations defended during the 2025–26 academic year
1.210
doctorate students (8.3% of the university's total student body)
616 women (50.9%)
594 men (49.1%)
766 domestic (63.3%)
444 international (36.7%)
30
Grants totaling €60,000 were awarded during the 2025–26 academic year for the “ mobility ” program to institutions in 13 countries (Japan, Luxembourg, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Colombia, and Argentina). A total of 61 applications were submitted to mobility program.
86
Scholarships for staff researcher at training (PIF) were awarded by the Friends of the University of Granada Foundation (association ). Of these, 31 are new scholarships and 55 are renewals. Thetotal amount of these grants was €2,089,129.62.
Research output
3.024
University scientific publications in 2025
Breakdown by Subject Area
Breakdown of research output at the University of Navarra in 2025, classified according to the areas listed at knowledge.
52%
Life Sciences and Biomedicine
22%
r Social Sciences
14%
Arts and Humanities
12%
Technological and Experimental Sciences
15
scientific journals published last academic year
278
scientific articles published in 28 volumes
1.262
Citations accumulated in Web of Science, 10 indexed journals
2.013
Citations accumulated in Scopus (including the addition in 2025 of the Spanish-language * yearbook * on International Law). With 13 indexed journals
publishing house 'S RECOGNIZED QUALITY
13
These journals have been awarded the FECYT Seal of Quality, accreditation , which certifies their compliance with the highest standards of scientific excellence, and publishing house in Spain
EUNSA
66.153
copies sold in 55 countries
89
works published last year
Library Service data
2.148.577
books ( print + electronic) — 41.84% electronic
134.819
magazines ( print + electronic) — 88.49% electronic
63.365
loans
1.455.653
downloads
2.949
reading stations
335
Annual opening days
Strategy 2025: Science
research is one of the initiatives through which the University carries out its “ mission statement,” contributing to “ development ” and the common good. By generating “ knowledge ” and applying it to the major challenges of our time, researchers from various disciplines work to provide solutions that improve people’s lives and the environment. This work is carried out through “ partnership ” and “ multidisciplinarity,” and seeks to connect “ knowledge ” with innovation and technology transfer to address social challenges.
In the 2025–26 academic year, this “ purpose ” has been reflected in research that is advancing new therapies and forms of prevention, helping us understand and protect the environment, studying social and technological transformations, and ensuring that progress always serves the people. The results are organized around the nine priority lines of “ research ” in the 25/30 Strategy.
Health and care
Research for better care means understanding the causes of disease, anticipating its effects, and developing increasingly precise and personalized solutions. The University’s School of Medicine ( research ) is making progress along this path, from basic research to clinical application; and from prevention and nutrition to patient care.
Innovative Therapies
Translational research tion aims to turn scientific knowledge into new possibilities for patients. In the field of cancer, a team from the Cima identified a strategy to enhance the immune response against liver tumors by reducing the SLU7 protein, while researchers at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra Cancer Center developed a personalized neoantigen vaccine for advanced liver cancer, with a clinical essay planned for 2027.
The Cancer Center also launched a pioneering clinicalessay trial using oncolytic viruses to treat pediatric brain tumors, while other programs of study studies identified new evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of fruquintinib in advanced solid tumors.
In the field of cardiovascular medicine, a doctoral thesis tion opened up new avenues for combating the fibrosis that can develop after a heart attack by identifying mechanisms that regulate fibroblast activation.
Innovation is also making strides in the field of rare diseases. The Cima has developed bioinformatics tools capable of reusing existing genetic data to speed up the diagnosis of rare diseases. And in the area of stroke, the University is participating in Vysium Health, a project that combines mixed reality and artificial intelligence to detect and treat brain damage.
Nutrition and Health
Preventionalsobeginsbefore a disease develops. The research on nutrition explores howlifestyle habits and diet influence health andhow the knowledge can lead to healthier decisions.
A study published in *Preventive Medicine* showed that greater adherence to an active lifestyle can nearly halve the risk of developing obesity-related cancers. Another study research, published in the *European Heart Journal*, analyzed for the first time the specific role of moderate wine consumption within the patron saint of the Mediterranean per diem expenses and its relationship to mortality.
The relationship between metabolism and disease was also the subject of study at the Institute of Nutrition and Health, where research was presented on the role of obesity in breast cancer. In addition, the University joined a European project to personalize the treatment of type 2 diabetes subject using epigenetic biomarkers capable of predicting each patient’s response to and tolerance of drug treatments.
knowledge 's commitment to social impact was also reflected in the first call for proposals for INS-DIVULGA, which aims to promote projects capable of translating academic research into practical applications for society and contributing to public health.
Family and Care
Caring for people also requires knowledge, training , and new tools. In this area, the University participates in DIGITAL-PALL, a European project focused on the digitization of training in palliative care, and has strengthened its partnership with the Josefina Arregui Clinic to provide training internship for medical students.
research and training are thus seen as part of the same mission: to put knowledge at the service of people, especially when they are facing illness, dependency, or vulnerability.
Future, development and commitment
The major challenges of the future cannot be addressed from a single discipline. Environmental transformation, social change, and the digital revolution require a better understanding of the world and, at the same time, the development of tools to transform it in a manager.
Sustainability and the Environment
Protecting the environment begins with understanding it. Researchers at the University identified a microsporidian of the genus Glugea in the common sardine for the first time and highlighted the need to monitor it from a One Health perspective. At the BIOMA Institute, text mining made it possibleto retrieve more than 1,200 records of 59 threatened species in Spain and helped identify 40 priority areas for arthropods on the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
The " research " also addresses how to adapt natural and agricultural systems to climate change. A study showed that the symbiosis between mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria can help grapevines withstand higher temperatures and CO₂ concentrations, doubling yields while maintaining fruit quality.
Environmental impact also has direct consequences for health. An international study research involving BIOMA confirmed that exhibition exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or chromium can damage DNA even at levels commonly found in certain work environments.
Technology offers new possibilities for anticipating these risks. Researchers from BIOMA participated in a system based on language models capable of detecting local disasters using online news reports, and BIOMA and Tesicnor spearheaded the “development ” (Digital Twin Challenge) for territorial digital twins. Environmental “ knowledge ” is thus linked to innovation and to the capacity of regions and companies to respond to the challenges of climate change. For this reason, the University launched a new Sustainability and business Cluster this academic year.
Economics, society, and development
Understanding society is also a way to contribute to its transformation. The university's research addresses topics ranging from universal patterns of human behavior to some of the issues that most directly affect young people and communities.
An international " research " led by the University, published in *Nature* and highlighted by *The New York Times*, identified a universal tendency to move counterclockwiseresearch , regardless of culture or social context. Alongside this fundamental research, other studies have addressed social challenges with immediate impact.
A studyby research from the group Infinity by Institute for Culture and Society examined violence in adolescent intimate relationships and highlighted the link between victimization and the perpetration of violence, as well as bullying and substance use. Meanwhile, the European project R4Rural addresses the resilience of rural communities in the face of depopulation and climate change.
The connection between knowledge and social reality is also reinforced through new Structures from partnership, such as the Chair on Law and Social Reality, the Chair Gustavo Cisneros on research and entrepreneurship, and the Chair on companies with purpose.
Information, Regulation, and Digital Broadcasting in the Service of the Truth
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are changing the way information is produced, distributed, and consumed. In light of this transformation, the University’s Center for Digital Ethics ( research ) seeks to understand its effects and help ensure that technology upholds truth, transparency, and people’s well-being.
The University leads NextDigimedia, a pioneering “ project ” in Spain that studies how artificial intelligence is transforming digital journalism—from content creation and audience engagement to professional ethics. In the scientific field, a study research by the Institute for Culture and Society detected an abnormal increase in prolific authors in scientific journals associated with AI, based on an analysis of 730,000 letters to the publisher published between 2005 and 2025.
The quality of information is also a matter of democracy. The Digital News Report Spain 2026 revealed an increase in interest in current events and greater trust in the media, which continue to be considered the most credible source of source compared to social media and artificial intelligence. The University also concluded the European REMED" project ," focused on media resilience and democracy, and joined a new initiative against disinformation based on citizen partnership .
The International Center for Media and Digital Education ( research ) also analyzes the effects of digital transformation on minors. Surveys programs of study conducted for ICMEDIA reveal the extent of adolescents’ sense of dependence on social media and propose measures related to age restrictions, digital Education , and platform design . Other studies have highlighted the lack of clarity in advertising regulations for child influencers at YouTube.
The University is also working to develop artificial intelligence that is more transparent and explainable. The first two industrial doctoral programs conducted in partnership with BBVA focused specifically on applying these principles to financial decision-making. In addition, the University participates in the European Union’s “ advisor ” forum on artificial intelligence and the“ project ” CyberSecure Teaching initiative, which aims to strengthen teachers’ cybersecurity skills.
Work, a transforming force in society
work s transform society when they are focused on the development of individuals and respond to the needs of their time. The University’s research addresses this dimension through purpose and professional ethics, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the challenges arising from a society in transition.
Theology of work
The theological dimension of the “ work ” is one of the priorities of the 25/30 Strategy and is structured aroundthe PIUNA “ project ” titled “The Significance of the ‘ work ’ in Recent Theology,” which examines how recent Christian theology (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox) can contribute to an understanding of the “ work ” in the current context. The “ project,” which consists of a first phase of a theological nature and a second interdisciplinary phase, seeks new perspectives from which to reflect on “ work ” so that the future of “ work ” may be inspired by concepts such as creativity, relationality, service, solidarity, and virtue.
As a result of that work , Routledge recentlypublished *Theology of Work: New Perspectives*, which aims to help situate the reality of the “ work ” in its theological context, reflect on the integration of the various dimensions of “ work ,” and challenge aspects of the current economic system.
The Meaning of work, purpose , and the Ethics of work Professional
Technological transformation raises new questions about the purpose and responsibility of professional practice. The “ research ” on artificial intelligence and journalism, studies on explainable and transparent AI in financial decision-making, and the “ programs of study ” on the regulation of digital platforms show that innovation cannot be separated from the ethical decisions that determine how it is used.
This perspective extends to the business world through the creation of the Gustavo Cisneros Business School ( Chair ) at purpose and the Gustavo Cisneros Entrepreneurship Center (Chair ) at research , which strengthen the connection between knowledge, business , and society.
Aging, Productivity, and Intergenerational Solidarity
Aging poses scientific and social challenges that require new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and care. An international study published in *Scientific Reports* showed that it is possible to predict—up to seven years before the standard clinical diagnosis—which individuals will develop cognitive decline or dementia.
research 's Alzheimer's research also received a new boost with the Pasqual Maragall Foundation's scholarship , awarded to Maite Solas, aimed at deepening our understanding of this disease. Together with the research in palliative care and collaborations in the healthcare sector, these projects reflect the need to address aging from a perspective that combines science, care, and solidarity across generations.
Cima, Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence
The Cima University of Navarra was awarded the accreditation as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, the highest recognition granted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities to Spanish institutions that stand out internationally for their research results research. The distinction is valid for four years and comes with funding of nearly six million euros (4.5 M€ for strategic initiatives and 1.3 M€ for pre-doctoral staff ), which will enable the center to promote high-impact projects and strengthen its ability to attract talent.
biomedical field
Jesús Bañales received the 2026 Mark Clementsaward for cholangiocarcinoma, Luis Montuenga was elected a member of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences, and Matías Ávila was named co-editor-in-chief of the journal *Gut*.
TALENT
Maite Solas received theERC Consolidator Grant “ scholarship ” worth €2 million forAlzheimer’s research;Nerea Zabaleta received an ERC Starting Grant worth €1.5 million for renal gene therapy; Raúl Bajo was awarded the Ramón y Cajal “financial aid ”; and five international researchers joined the institution on Marie Curie fellowships.
MEDICINE AND NUTRITION
José Luis del Pozo was admitted to the Royal Academy of Medicine of Zaragoza, and Marta Cuervo was named an associate member ( issue ) of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Humanities
Javier Ocaña received the Bibeau "award " from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and Juan L. Roquette, a professor at the National School of Music and Dance ( School of Architecture), was named a full member of the Spanish Academy of Performing Arts.
nursing
Hildegart González received two honors: she was named an honorary member of Sigma and, months later, an honorary member of the Bizkaia Academy of Nursing Sciences.
TECHNOLOGY
Researchers Naiara Rodríguez, Yuemin Ding, and Frank Hernández received the annual Ikerbasque grants for hiring and attracting talent, “ researcher ,” from the Basque Government.
Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
The following were established: Chair Businesses with purpose, the Chair Law and Social Reality —in partnership with the Business & Law firm— and the Chair Gustavo Cisnerosresearch , and Entrepreneurship.
In the environmental and technological fields, BIOMA and Tesicnor promoted territorial digital twins, and the University launched a Sustainability Cluster and business.
Tecnun signed agreements with SALTO Systems and Mubil; the School of Pharmacy and Nutrition formed partnerships with Ojer Pharma and the ESST in Algeria; and a “agreement ” was signed with the Josefina Arregui Clinic for the “ training ”internship in Medicine.
The University joined the EU's " advisor " forum on artificial intelligence.