These activities, part of the official program of the Science and Innovation Weeks in the Canary Islands 2026 (SCIC26) and the European project Wider Advance Facility (funded by Horizon Europe), aim to provide specialized support services for the dissemination and exploitation of research results, connecting regional research potential with new international collaboration opportunities. The ACIISI and the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC) are participating from the Canary Islands.
During these days, participants had the opportunity to learn firsthand about reference infrastructures, specialized laboratories, and innovative projects at various scientific, technological, and business centers in Tenerife, creating an ideal space for experience exchange and synergy creation.
The first day began with an institutional welcome by Gonzalo de la Torre de Juan (ACIISI), accompanied by Antonio Aparicio Juan (Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer at the University of La Laguna - ULL), Katarzyna Walczyk-Matuszyk (project coordinator), and Tomás Martín Ruiz (Director of IPNA-CSIC). Following an initial speed-dating presentation and networking session, the group toured various facilities at IPNA-CSIC, including the Air Quality and Biological Activities services, Medicinal Chemistry laboratories, and the Natural Products Library.
The agenda continued at the General Service for Research Support (SEGAI) of the ULL, where the delegation learned about advanced equipment for mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption, X-rays, and electron microscopy. The day concluded at the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER), with visits to its renewable energy and bioclimatology facilities, wind farm, supercomputing and telecommunications equipment, and environmental laboratories.
On the second day, the program focused on identifying European cooperation and funding avenues to strengthen the participation of the Canary Islands' ecosystem abroad. Anselmo Sosa Méndez from the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) and Héctor Martínez Hernández from the Canary Islands Technology Institute (ITC) presented various opportunities within the Widening calls.
Subsequently, the delegation delved into other highly specialized areas of Tenerife's innovative fabric. A visit to Arquimea showcased work in quantum computing, robotics, neuroscience, and biotechnology, along with R&D&i project funding mechanisms. At IACTEC, attendees explored facilities for scientific and space instrumentation development, including clean rooms for optical instruments and satellite assembly. The tour concluded at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC), where the team of researcher Esteban Porrini presented an innovative, low-cost, and minimally invasive method for measuring kidney function using a micro-droplet technique on blotting paper.
