A Research Forum organised by Philea (Philanthropy Europe Association) took place in Barcelona on 26–27 March 2026, bringing together representatives from foundations and research organisations across Europe to reflect on the governance of philanthropy-funded research centres and share experiences from different institutional models. Held at CosmoCaixa Science Museum and just ahead of the inauguration of the CaixaResearch Institute, the event provided a particularly relevant setting for Fundación ”la Caixa” to contribute to this European conversation — both as host and participant — sharing its experience in supporting research and opening a dialogue around the development of the CaixaResearch Institute as one of its most recent initiatives. In this context, the forum also offered an opportunity to situate the Institute within a broader reflection on how research centres are conceived, governed and sustained over time.

Under the theme “Philanthropy and Research Centres: Models, Challenges and Opportunities”, the forum provided a space to compare governance approaches, explore strategic priorities, and discuss how research centres can achieve long-term sustainability while maintaining scientific autonomy. Key topics included evaluation frameworks, partnerships between institutions, talent retention, and planning beyond traditional funding cycles.

Governance and operational models

The first day, open to a broad range of stakeholders from the research and philanthropic ecosystem, focused on how research centres are structured and managed in different contexts. Discussions highlighted the increasing complexity of operating research organisations, where scientific excellence must be balanced with the ability to demonstrate impact, attract and retain talent, and adapt to evolving societal needs. The growing scale and cost of research was a recurring point, as participants noted that experiments are becoming more complex and demand closer collaboration across disciplines, while also stressing the importance of turning scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for society.

The opening session was led by Dr. Àngel Font Vidal, Deputy General Director for Research and Fellowships at la Caixa Foundation, Executive Director of the CaixaResearch Institute, and President of Philea, who called for stronger alignment between public, private and philanthropic efforts to strengthen research ecosystems. He underlined that the development of research centres through philanthropy goes beyond funding, requiring alignment between partners, transparency, trust, and a shared long-term vision to ensure stability and continuity over time.

The programme also featured contributions from Dr. Josep Tabernero, Director of the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), who highlighted the importance of aligning efforts around a clear mission focused on delivering value for patients and society. He also presented the vision behind the CaixaResearch Institute as a collaborative and interdisciplinary initiative centred on immunology research, designed to foster synergies across fields and institutions.

Challenges and long-term perspectives

The second day brought together a smaller group of invited foundation leaders for more in-depth discussions on governance models, challenges, and opportunities for funding research centres. These sessions aimed to identify shared lessons and generate practical insights to inform future Philea outputs, including guidance notes and case-based learning.

Overall, the forum served as a platform for peer exchange and collective reflection on the role of philanthropy in supporting research centres. It reinforced the idea that foundations can act as strategic partners, contributing not only resources but also coordination, flexibility and long-term perspectives to help build sustainable and collaborative research ecosystems across Europe.

And the perfect scenario to put this into practice will be the CaixaResearch Institute. It represents both an opportunity to integrate these shared learnings from the outset and a potential reference for the philanthropic community, illustrating how a new research centre can be designed with a strong emphasis on scientific excellence, long-term vision and cross-institutional collaboration.