Our university was one of four institutions selected nationwide under the University Structural Funding Program for R&D&I – FIU Frontera, securing more than 10,389 million Chilean pesos in funding.
With this achievement, PUCV became the only university in the Valparaíso Region to obtain FIU Frontera funding. This instrument is aimed at strengthening cutting-edge research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) capacities, with structural impact and international projection, reaffirming its strategic role within the national ecosystem of science, technology and innovation.
The awarded project, “FIU Frontera PUCV: Science, Health, and Well-being,” seeks to integrate advanced research, human capital development, innovation, and knowledge transfer around critical national challenges in health and well-being, with a people-centered approach and strong territorial relevance.
Claudia Altamirano, faculty member of PUCV’s School of Biochemical Engineering and Executive Director of the project, emphasized that “FIU Frontera PUCV represents a structural and visionary response to the country’s needs in health and well-being, positioning the University into a leading role in transforming the national scientific ecosystem with international reach.” She added that the plan has received broad support from key stakeholders in the health system, validating its impact and social relevance.
The FIU Frontera fund is aimed at universities with advanced research capacities, enabling them to consolidate high-level scientific platforms, strengthen interdisciplinarity, and generate solutions with public impact, in line with national scientific and technological development policies.
This award aligns with PUCV’s Strategic Development Plan, which prioritizes excellence in research, knowledge creation with public purpose, and effective engagement with the country’s challenges, particularly in areas such as health, well-being, sustainability, and quality of life.
Rector Nelson Vásquez stated that “the work carried out by our researchers has been key to achieving this award and serves as an incentive to continue strengthening PUCV’s contribution to the country through research and innovation. In this context, it is essential to recognize the leadership of Professor Claudia Altamirano, who, together with a team of 38 academics and with the support of the Vice Rector’s Office for Research, Creation, and Innovation, promoted the creation of a biomedical research center at the University, an initiative that gave rise to the proposal now awarded.”
He added that “our 2023-2029 Strategic Development Plan committed to contributing to the country’s development and to building institutional capacity to generate large-scale projects that will benefit Chile. The awarding of this project is a response of significant magnitude to that commitment.”
In the same vein, Vice Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation Luis Mercado highlighted that “the awarding of the FIU Frontera Stage 2 project is a major achievement and recognition for PUCV, symbolizing our leadership within the national STKI (Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation) system. PUCV is the only G9 university to be awarded this project, standing out for the quality of its proposal and the high level of its R&D&I Capacity Index. The former is due to the talent and quality of the proposal, along with the impeccable execution of Stage 1. The latter is the result of the historical work and research and innovation outputs of all PUCV researchers. I highlight and congratulate the work led by Dr. Claudia Altamirano, who will assume as Director of FIUF Stage 2, together with Alternate Director Dr. Paula Ascorra. I also highlight the tremendous achievement we have been able to reach thanks to an institutional commitment, which will be projected in a Biomedical Research Center, the CID-3B, with special characteristics that will make a real contribution to the territory and the country, while also opening a path in PUCV’s commitment to the education of people and advanced human capital.”
Mercado added that “this center is an example of inter-, trans-, and multidisciplinary work involving more than thirty PUCV specialists, with high quality links to other institutions and significant international collaboration. All of the above will make PUCV a benchmark that will mark an institutional milestone consistent with its century-long history.”
Likewise, the project directly aligns with the State’s commitments in science and development. Rodrigo González, Regional Secretary of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, stated that “I would like to proudly highlight the awarding of one of the four FIU Frontera projects in our region. The Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso demonstrated a high level of competitiveness, confirming that scientific and innovation capacities are firmly consolidated in Valparaíso.”
With this milestone, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, on the eve of its centenary, reaffirms its public commitment to the country’s development, advancing from academic excellence toward the construction of a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future, from the Valparaíso Region to Chile and the world.
Strategic Communications Office
