Research Forum – Philanthropy and Research Centres: Models, Challenges and Opportunities
The Research Forum will host a workshop “Philanthropy and Research Centres: Models, Challenges and Opportunities”, on 26-27 March in Barcelona.
Across Europe, foundations play a growing role in the funding, creation and long-term support of research centres. While some foundations fund stand-alone, specialised research centres, others support networks embedded within universities, hospitals or national research ecosystems.
This diversity of approaches brings with it a shared set of strategic questions: How should a research centre be governed when funding comes largely (or partly) from philanthropy? What is the right balance between scientific autonomy and strategic priorities set by funders? What happens at the end of a funding cycle? How do we manage exits and ensure long-term sustainability?
These and other questions have become central for many foundations in the Research Forum community, prompting the need for a dedicated space to compare models, share experiences and reflect on lessons learned.
Despite the increasing relevance of philanthropy in research ecosystems, there is limited structured dialogue on how foundations organise, govern and evaluate the research centres they support. Many decisions are taken independently, yet challenges are common. The Research Forum proposes this event to systematise existing knowledge, map different models, and co-develop guidance for foundations entering or expanding in this field.
Taking place alongside the inauguration of the new CaixaResearch Institute, a centre for research health and disease, the workshop will provide a dedicated space for foundations and research actors to compare how philanthropy-funded research centres are governed across Europe, and what this means for autonomy, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability. It will map key governance models, draw out lessons from long-term practice, and explore shared challenges such as evaluation, partnerships, talent retention, and planning for continuity beyond funding cycles. Through case studies and peer-exchange, participants will generate practical insights to inform future Philea outputs, including guidance notes, case studies or a working group.
The first day will be an open forum which will bring together participants from foundations and research institutions to explore governance, management and strategic models for philanthropy funded research centres.
On the second day, a select group of invited foundation leaders will dive into discussions on governance models, challenges, and opportunities for funding research centres across Europe and beyond.
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