IRBLleida and the “la Caixa” Foundation are organising the sixth edition of the science education programme to introduce young people to biomedical research

For the sixth consecutive year, the province of Lleida will host the IRBLleida-Fundación "la Caixa" science education programme, promoted by the "la Caixa" Foundation through CaixaBank, to bring biomedical research closer to young people. This programme was launched with the aim of fostering scientific careers and raising awareness of research in the province.

This year's programme includes the organisation of 14 science workshops, six grants for sixth-form students to undertake a placement at IRBLleida, the organisation of Research Night 2026, the second issue of the popular science magazine in Catalan, *LleidaLab*, and the *SomRecerca* conference on giving back to society.

The science workshop 'Exploring the World of Research' has the dual aim of encouraging young people aged 12 to 16 to pursue careers in science and, at the same time, raising awareness of biomedical research for the benefit of the general public. The workshop consists of an informative section and a second part, in which students take part in a practical workshop following the scientific method.

As for scholarships for sixth-form students, the programme includes a scholarship for six first-year sixth-form students from the Lleida region to undertake a one-month placement at IRBLleida and get to know a research group. Research Night 2026 will take place on Friday 2 October, featuring a wide range of science workshops for all ages.

Furthermore, this sixth edition includes two new activities: the publication of the second issue of the magazine *LleidaLab*, a popular science publication aimed at secondary school pupils, and the organisation of the 7th *SomRecerca* conference to explain society's involvement in biomedical research carried out in Lleida.

Thanks to the IRBLleida-Fundación "la Caixa" science education programme, during the 2025-2026 academic year, biomedical research was promoted amongst more than 1,700 people. This programme complements the annual outreach plan, IRBLleidaDIVULGA 2026-2027, which is funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).

Through CaixaBank's extensive network of branches - the largest in Spain - professionals are able to identify the most urgent and immediate needs in each region and channel funding from the "la Caixa" Foundation to address these needs. In 2025, support was provided for over 5,500 projects run by nearly 5,200 social organisations.

Present at the signing were the coordinating director of institutions in Lleida, Geremi Camino Calzada; the director of IRBLleida, Diego Arango del Corro; the manager of IRBLleida, Eva López Truco; the representative of the management team for the Lleida Centre Business Area, Andrés Ríos Lera; and the head of promotion at IRBLleida, Josep Maria Bosch.

Texto: Press & Comunication IRBLleida