Universidad de Santiago de Compostela

The University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), founded in 1495, is one of the oldest universities in Spain and a leading institution in higher education and research. It is a public university with a strong commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and societal impact, offering over 60 undergraduate degrees, 50 master’s degrees, and more than 50 doctoral programs across a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

With more than 2,000 researchers and 300 research groups, the USC maintains an extensive scientific output, supported by national and European research projects. The university actively promotes interdisciplinary research and international collaboration through participation in European initiatives such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, and COST actions.

The university’s research is structured around several excellence centers and institutes, including the CiQUS – Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials, CiTIUS – Center for Research in Intelligent Technologies, and IDIS – Institute for Health Research of Santiago de Compostela. These centers foster cutting-edge research in biotechnology, molecular chemistry, artificial intelligence, drug discovery, and translational medicine.

In the field of knowledge transfer and innovation, USC has a well-established Technology Transfer Office (TTO), the USC Knowledge Transfer Office (OTRI), which supports patenting, licensing, and spin-off creation. The university has launched more than 40 spin-offs, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, pharma, and ICT. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office provides mentoring, incubation, and access to investment networks to support the growth of technology-based startups.

The university has significant experience in managing competitive funding, including ERC grants, MSCA actions, Pathfinder projects, and collaborative RIA/IA proposals. It offers administrative, legal, and financial support for project implementation through its International Research Support Office.

As a public academic and research institution, USC integrates sustainability, gender equality, and open science in its strategic plan. The university is committed to responsible research and innovation (RRI), and actively engages in science outreach and public engagement initiatives.