During this period, VHIR achieved significant milestones that have strengthened its position as a leading biomedical research institution. Key achievements include the reaccreditation of the IIS IR-HUVH for the period 2024–2029 and the renewal of the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) award, the attainment of a B+ grade in the CERCA evaluation, the AAALAC accreditation, and the ISO 56001 certification, which made VHIR the first research centre in Catalonia to obtain this certification in innovation management.
VHIR has reinforced its leadership in strategic collaborations and partnerships through the coordination of major international consortia such as UMBRELLA and NEUROAGE, as well as strategic alliances with IDIAP Jordi Gol and IBEC.
As a demonstration of its commitment to research excellence and innovation, VHIR launched three internal valorisation and acceleration programmes during the 2021–2025 period: the BOOST Call (Boosting of Outstanding Scientific Teams), the RISE Call (Recurrent Institutional Support for Excellent Groups), and the FIT Call (Fons d’Impuls Tecnològic), aimed at strengthening high-performing research groups and accelerating the transfer of high-potential innovation projects.
Patient engagement has been strengthened through pioneering initiatives such as KIDS Vall d’Hebron, based on the international Young Persons’ Advisory Group (YPAG) model, the Barcelona Aging and Longevity Lab (BALL), and the Parkinson’s Intergenerational caRe (PAIR) programme, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to inclusive and participatory research.
In the field of education and knowledge generation, two new Master’s programmes—Clinical Trials Management and Coordination, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Health—were launched alongside a Joint PhD Programme with IBEC, further reinforcing VHIR’s commitment to talent development, scientific excellence, and interdisciplinary training.
VHIR has also strengthened its capabilities in data science and artificial intelligence through flagship projects such as TRUSTROKE, BRIDGE, H2O, and ERDERA, consolidating its strategic commitment to digital transformation, precision medicine, and data-driven biomedical research.
The achievements of the 2021–2025 strategic period demonstrate VHIR’s strong institutional capacity to advance internationalisation, digital transformation, public–private collaboration, advanced therapies, and education. By 2024, particularly significant progress had been made in digitalisation (98.8%) and in fostering an inclusive research culture (92.5%), underscoring the Institute’s ability to drive organisational, cultural, and technological transformation.
The monitoring of strategic outcomes throughout the period also provided valuable insights to inform future priorities. Financial sustainability highlighted the importance of continuing to diversify funding sources and strengthen long-term resilience, while collaboration with primary care established a solid foundation for deeper integration. Similarly, growing patient involvement in research and the identification of opportunities to further develop productivity and impact indicators have helped define key priorities for institutional improvement.
Taken together, these findings reflect the evolution of a dynamic and expanding research organisation. They have directly informed the design of the VHIR Strategic Plan 2026–2030, transforming lessons learned into strategic priorities that will further strengthen the Institute’s excellence, sustainability, and societal impact.
