Presentation

Welcome to IRYCIS: Transforming Science into Health

Message from the Scientific Directorate

Welcome to the website of the Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), an Institute accredited by the ISCIII (Carlos III Health Institute), which will reach its 18th anniversary in 2027. With the rollout of our new ATENEA 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the Institute is culminating a period of solid research consolidation into excellence, taking a decisive step towards transformational leadership and the highest excellence. From our core healthcare center, the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, and in close partnership with our affiliated universities (University of Alcalá, Autonomous University of Madrid, and Complutense University of Madrid), we work with an unwavering ambition: to eliminate the gap between the laboratory, clinical practice, and people's well-being.

We pursue unique characteristics and added value, and therefore, we do not conceive of research as an isolated task, but as an inseparable continuum of healthcare activity. The Ramón y Cajal Hospital acts as a true Living Lab, a space where basic, translational, and clinical science naturally converge.

Through our Cross-Cutting Impact Programs (CIPs), we enable controlled validation environments (clinical sandboxes) to rapidly test and implement molecular diagnostics, advanced therapies, and digital solutions with measurable impact on the National Health System and the global healthcare landscape.

Explore our website to find out more about our strategic prioritization and you will discover that we work on:

• Advanced Therapies and Precision Medicine: gene repair, cell therapies, delivery nanosystems, and multimodal biomarkers for personalized treatments in oncology and chronic diseases.
• Data Governance, AI, and Digital Health: ethical and federated management aligned with Health Data Access Bodies, digital twins, and predictive models to optimize clinical trials and clinical practice.
• Global Health and Equity: leadership in microbiome, antibiotic resistance, with a One Health approach and elimination of androcentric bias in precision medicine.

And we carry out this work every day by:

• Prioritizing impact: we prioritize cutting-edge science and the effective transfer of results through asset valuation, patents, and public-private partnerships.
• Nurturing talent and generational renewal: we support our critical mass (>1,300 professionals) through mentorship and promotion programs for emerging talent, protected time for clinical research, and the promotion of balanced and inclusive leadership.
• Projecting ourselves globally with leadership: we are moving from participation to coordinating consortia in Europe and actively participating in leading international networks and platforms.

Developing science with and for society: we are evolving from dissemination to the active participation of patients and citizens in the design, development, and evaluation of biomedical research. Join the IRYCIS Community: Whether you're a researcher seeking a competitive environment for scientific work, a clinical professional with a translational focus, an industry partner, or a citizen committed to the future of healthcare, we invite you to explore our areas, projects, and platforms. Discover how we generate value and impact every day. Get to know us!

Mission... who we are

To be a people-centered ecosystem of excellence in translational biomedical research that integrates research, healthcare, and innovation to generate high-impact knowledge and transform it into real benefits for patients and society.

IRYCIS fosters a cohesive, diverse, and multidisciplinary research and innovation community capable of attracting, developing, and retaining talent, removing organizational barriers, and promoting cooperation across disciplines, institutions, and sectors. Through comprehensive training, clinical and translational research, and effective knowledge transfer, the Institute makes a decisive contribution to improving health, positioning itself-alongside its hospital-as a unique leader in addressing current and future healthcare challenges.

Vision... where we are going

To be an international benchmark in translational biomedical research that leads the transformation of healthcare, turning scientific knowledge into innovative, equitable, and sustainable solutions for people.

IRYCIS aspires to consolidate an open, human-centric, and collaborative ecosystem where research talent, scientific excellence, and responsible innovation bridge the gap between the laboratory, the healthcare system, and daily life. It aims to anticipate the health challenges of a global society and actively contribute to its present and future well-being, driven by its ability to adapt to change and respond to emerging needs.

Strategic Values ​​of the ATENEA 2026-2030 Plan

IRYCIS is evolving its values ​​to establish itself as a cutting-edge translational research ecosystem, aligning scientific excellence with social commitment, digital transformation, and human talent development.

1. Global Reach and Leadership.
2. Social Commitment and Citizen Science.
3. Transformative Identity and Distinctive Excellence.
4. Commitment to Digital Transformation.
5. Culture of Collaboration and Talent.
6. Efficient, Responsible, and Impact-Oriented Management.
7. Continuous Training and Professional Development.

Accreditations

• Accreditation granted on March 14, 2011, by the Minister of Science and Innovation
• First reaccreditation granted on January 9, 2017, by the Minister of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness
• Second reaccreditation granted on January 9, 2022, by the Minister of Science and Innovation

Strategic Plan ATENEA 2026-2030

The strategic formulation for the 2026-2030 period at IRYCIS is summarized as follows:

STRATEGIC FORMULATION OF THE ATENEA 2026-2030 PLAN
Axis 1. TALENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Purpose: To strengthen the attraction, development and consolidation of talent, guaranteeing generational renewal and the excellence of the Institute's professionals.
Strategic lines:
1.1. Professional development and recruitment of exceptional talent. 1.2. Promotion and support of emerging talent (mentoring). 1.3. Generational succession and sustainability of scientific and technical leadership. 1.4. Equality, diversity, and gender balance program for leadership positions. 1.5. Comprehensive training and development program. Training plan.
Axis 2. TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINING
Purpose: to promote the modernization of infrastructure and technological capabilities as support for competitive and high-quality research.
Strategic lines:
2.1. Updating and reviewing spaces, facilities, and equipment. 2.2. Evaluating, improving, and expanding cross-cutting scientific and technical support services (UCAs, SCT), establishing strategic alliances. 2.3. Updating scientific and technical support services in line with strategic priorities. 2.4. Training and technological development for research support staff.
Axis 3. ORGANIZATION, QUALITY, INTEGRATION AND BELONGING
Purpose: to strengthen an efficient organizational model, based on quality, integrity and cohesion of the IRYCIS community.
Strategic lines:
3.1. Professionalization of management and strengthening of support tools and digital transformation. 3.2. Consolidation of the IRYCIS Quality and Continuous Improvement Policy. 3.3. Observatory of scientific integrity and best practices in research. 3.4. Promotion of the effective integration of Institute members. 3.5. Strengthening the sense of belonging and the IRYCIS Community.
Axis 4. PROJECTION, INNOVATION and TRANSLATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Purpose: to promote innovation and transfer in order to maximize the real application of knowledge in the healthcare field.
Strategic lines:
4.1. Innovation Plan: Innovation, transfer, and valorization of generated knowledge. 4.2. Transfer Observatory in implementation to accelerate the real-world adoption of results in the healthcare system. 4.3. Implementation of Cross-Cutting Impact Programs (CIPs).
Axis 5. INTERNALIZATION
Purpose: To consolidate the international positioning of the Institute by boosting its visibility and scientific activity and clinical translation.
Strategic lines:
5.1. Internationalization and strategic positioning of scientific and clinical activity. 5.2. Building a unique, internationally recognized identity.
Axis 6. IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND PARTICIPATION OF PATIENTS AND CITIZENS
Purpose: to strengthen the visibility and social impact of the Institute, promoting the active participation of patients and citizens in research.
Strategic lines:
6.1. Boosting institutional visibility. 6.2. Structured integration of patients and the public into the R&D&I cycle. 6.3. Launching value-added initiatives with social and healthcare impact.
Axis 7. SINGULARITIES
Purpose: To develop and consolidate unique areas and capabilities that reinforce the Institute's distinctive positioning.
Strategic lines:
7.1. Development and consolidation of unique scientific themes and scientific-technical services.
Axis 8. SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION - COOPERATIVE SCIENTIFIC PROJECT
Purpose: to promote the Institute's scientific collaboration through a cooperative model that fosters interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and international interaction.
Strategic lines:
8.1. Promotion of the IRYCIS Cooperative Scientific Project, fostering interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and international collaboration.