With the awarding of 31 projects in the Fondecyt Regular 2026 competition, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso (PUCV) has positioned itself as the leading institution in terms of projects selected at the regional level and fourth nationwide, continuing to consolidate its role as a benchmark for research and innovation in Chile.
In line with the guidelines of its 2023–2029 Institutional Strategic Development Plan, which seeks to promote frontier research projects and the generation of research, creation, and innovation with regional, national, and global impact, the 31 selected projects span the areas of sciences, law, social sciences and humanities, engineering, and agricultural and food sciences.
Fondecyt Regular projects are highly competitive, and PUCV has a strong tradition of success in this funding scheme. As explained by the Vice Rector for Research, Creation, and Innovation (VINCI), Luis Mercado, the University has managed to maintain a historically high level of excellence in the awarding of this competition, which is primarily led by well-established researchers.
“This success is the result of a solid institutional strategy that includes incentives for scientific publications, funding for internal initiatives, and the possibility of conducting proposal reviews prior to submission. The funds obtained are essential for strengthening research lines that benefit both graduate and undergraduate programs, while also fostering collaborative work among academics,” emphasized the Vice Rector.
Research and Development
Fondecyt Regular projects—administered by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID)—are crucial for the country’s development, as they aim to generate scientific and technological knowledge across various fields by funding individual research projects of excellence focused on knowledge production. This underscores the importance of their awarding.
“Our University maintains undisputed regional leadership, achieving results that double those of its closest competitors. At the national level, PUCV has consolidated its position in fourth place, demonstrating a significant competitive advantage over other prestigious universities when considering the three competitions (Initiation, Postdoctoral, and Regular).
It is also worth noting that the top five institutions in this competition are universities with
seven years of accreditation,” stated Mercado.
With a clear public vocation, PUCV is a university of excellence that understands the role it plays in society and recognizes the importance of research for the development of both the region and the country. Finally, the Vice Rector highlighted that the majority of Fondecyt Regular projects are led by tenured faculty members, demonstrating the University’s well-established track record and competitiveness within the national research landscape.
By Erika Schubert
Department of Strategic Communications
