The fourth edition of the UNR Research Project Call for Proposals, "University and Sustainable Development 2026," is now open. You can submit your project until September 20, 2026.

In this fourth edition of the University and Sustainable Development Call for Proposals, the UNR is committed to maintaining the same level of support as in the previous edition, funding up to 15 projects. This effort underscores the institution's commitment to sustainable development and the generation of innovative solutions to local and global challenges.

The Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development Area (ACTeID) will support the teams from the initial project formulation stage through to implementation. During this process, dialogue will be facilitated among research groups working on related topics, promoting collaboration with key stakeholders in the region and ensuring the technical and operational feasibility of the proposals submitted.

Recognizing that communication is a strategic component that amplifies the impact and social appropriation of science, the selected teams will be encouraged to implement communication strategies appropriate to each stage of the project. This dimension will contribute to highlighting progress and results, strengthening the link between the university and society.

Thematic Areas:

1. Comprehensive health and health technologies for well-being

It promotes projects aimed at the comprehensive approach to problems related to human health, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and well-being, within the framework of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and in conjunction with other Sustainable Development Goals related to, for example, gender equality, access to safe water, innovation, the reduction of inequalities, sustainable communities and climate action.

a) Prevention, diagnosis and management of health problems relevant to comprehensive health, such as: maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, oral health, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, epidemiological surveillance and health risk management, etc.

b) Health technologies, biochemistry, pharmacy and translational medicine. Includes biomarkers, diagnostic tools, devices, medicines, vaccines, monitoring platforms, biomedical technologies, pharmaceutical developments and innovative treatment or follow-up strategies.

2. Sustainable technologies, advanced materials and digital transformation 

It promotes projects aimed at the development, adaptation, validation and transfer of science and technology-based technologies that contribute to strengthening productive, industrial, institutional and territorial capacities, within the framework of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and in conjunction with the SDGs linked, for example, to responsible production and consumption, quality education, decent work, climate action and reduction of inequalities.

Proposals that integrate instances of experimental development, prototyping, scaling or technological validation, and present potential for transfer to the productive network, the public sector or institutions of the territory, will be especially valued.

a) Advanced materials and science-based technologies

It includes the design, synthesis, characterization, modeling and application of functional materials, biomaterials, nanomaterials, smart materials, surfaces, coatings, devices and technological platforms with potential for productive, health, environmental or energy applications.

b) Digital transformation, automation, sensing and intelligent systems

Technological solutions aimed at improving productive, industrial, environmental, educational, healthcare, or management capabilities. For example: sensors, devices, electronics, robotics, instrumentation, process control, and data acquisition and analysis.

Artificial intelligence and digital devices applied to scientific, technological, productive, educational, institutional, and/or territorial problems. For example: computational tools, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software, hardware, simulation, optimization.

3. Agri-food systems, environment and territory 

It promotes projects focused on addressing issues related to agri-food production, food quality and safety, natural resource management, and the development of rural and peri-urban areas, within the framework of SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and in conjunction with, for example, the SDGs related to health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, responsible production and consumption, climate action, life on land, and innovation. Proposals with the potential to impact production systems, value chains, food security, climate change adaptation, soil, water and biodiversity management, value addition, and collaboration with producers, public institutions, cooperatives, communities, and local stakeholders will be especially valued.

a) Agri-food production and territorial resilience
It includes plant, animal and mixed production systems, health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, bio-inputs, applied biotechnology, resource management and adaptation strategies to environmental or productive changes.

b) Quality, safety and added value in food
It includes food safety, nutritional quality, food microbiology, traceability, preservation, processing, ingredient development, functional foods, technologies applied to agri-food chains and valorization of by-products.

Target:
Interdisciplinary work teams whose members work at an academic unit of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario or a dual UNR-CONICET executing unit.

The projects must be based in the academic unit where the Director holds their paid position.

Those who have been directors, co-directors or members of projects funded in the University and Sustainable Development 2025 call are excluded from applying to this call.

Financing:
The call will finance up to fifteen (15) projects, distributed in up to five (5) projects for each thematic area, for a maximum amount of twenty million pesos ($20.000.000) per project, according to the criteria, conditions and budget availability established in the Single Annex.

Dates and submission method:

• Project Submission: The call for project submissions will be open from August 18 to September 20, 2026 by SIGEVA-UNR. 
• Admissibility: Once the submission period has ended, a formal admissibility analysis of the proposals will be carried out to verify compliance with the requirements established in these terms and conditions. Admissibility will be determined by the Science, Technology and Innovation for Development Area, which may request additional information or formal corrections when necessary, provided that this does not involve modifying substantive aspects of the submitted proposal.
• Publication of results of the call for proposals: October 2026

Find all the detailed information in the attachments at the end of the note.
For questions and inquiries, please write to proyectos.ciencias@unr.edu.ar