13-14 nov 2025, 100xCiencia.9

31 de October de 2025

Science for Everyone: The 100xCiencia.9 congress transforms CaixaForum València into an open laboratory for the public

• Under the theme ‘Science for Society, Touching ConSciences’, 100xCiencia.9 will bring together researchers, managers, and public officials to strengthen the bridges between science and citizens.
• ICMol (UV), IFIC (CSIC-UV), IATA-CSIC, ITQ (UPV-CSIC), and IN (CSIC-UMH) will join forces for a special day designed to experience science firsthand in the heart of València.

València is getting ready for a unique afternoon in which science will become a participatory experience for the whole family. On November 14, the 100xCiencia.9 congress, organized by the SOMMa Alliance (the Alliance of Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Centers of Excellence), will open its doors to the public at the CaixaForum València auditorium and the Àgora space. The event offers an attractive and innovative program that combines talks, experiments, theatre, and music to bring research closer to society.

The event will begin with a musical touch by ALGABROWN & the Pipettes, who, together with researchers Amparo López-Rubio and Gloria Sánchez from the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), will introduce the SOMMa Alliance and set the tone for an afternoon where science takes the stage. Among the presentations, a highlight will be the talk by Bruno J. Ballesteros, Head of the Valencia Territorial Unit of the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute (IGME-CSIC), who will discuss the causes and consequences of the October 2024 DANA. This natural disaster affected numerous towns in the Valencian region.

Humor and creativity will also join forces with science through two short scientific monologues offering a witty look at current research: ‘Going FASTA: A (Very Brief) History of Bioinformatics’ by Sergio Romera (IATA-CSIC), and ‘Flying with Sunlight: Sustainable Aviation Fuels from Solar Energy’ by Alfonso Carrillo (ITQ UPV-CSIC). Next, the Teatro Químico of the University of Valencia will bring to the stage a show that transforms scientific concepts into scenes full of humor and imagination, proving that science can also move and entertain.

Meanwhile, at the Àgora space, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., science will be explored hands-on. Interactive workshops will invite people of all ages to become researchers for a day, discovering everything from the secrets of the brain and nervous system to the mysteries of matter and light. Each activity has been designed by research teams from the host institutions to showcase the cutting-edge science they conduct in their laboratories in a practical, exciting, and accessible way for all audiences.

Activities such as ‘Fungal Detective’, challenging participants to identify fungi responsible for agricultural plagues, or ‘Bring the Truth to Light’, where ultraviolet light and luminol help solve a fictional crime, will demonstrate that scientific knowledge can be as fun as it is enlightening.

Visitors will also have the chance to discover how particle accelerators work, observe the smallest and most elusive particles from the depths of the sea through the ANTARES and KM3NeT neutrino telescopes, or be amazed by experiments on magnetism and levitation that make the invisible visible.

Finally, to close the day with rhythm and emotion, the Valencian band Soul Docks will offer a concert filled with soul, blues, and classic rock, uniting generations and celebrating science through music.

Science for Society. Touching conSciences

Under the theme ‘Science for Society. Touching conSciences’, 100xCiencia.9 will bring together leading researchers, R&D professionals, policymakers, and citizens to reflect and build bridges between science and society on November 13 and 14 at CaixaForum València.

This edition features five highly recognized host institutions that play a key role in the scientific development of the Valencian Community: the Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol, University of Valencia); the  Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), affiliated with the University of Valencia (UV) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC); the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC); the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), a joint center of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the CSIC; and the Institute for Neurosciences, a joint center of the CSIC and the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH).

More information about the event is available at the 100xCiencia.9 website.

The program is available in the attached document (file .pdf)

The Institute for Neurosciences co-organizes the 100xCiencia.9 Congress under the motto ‘Science for Society, Touching Consciences’

1 oct 2025

From November 13 to 14, 2025, CaixaForum València, located inside the Àgora building at the City of Arts and Sciences, will host the ninth edition of the 100xCiencia.9 congress. This annual event is promoted by the SOMMa Alliance (Alliance of Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Centers of Excellence). Under the theme ‘Science for Society, Touching Consciences’, the event will bring together leading researchers, R&D management professionals, policy representatives, and citizens to reflect, engage in dialogue, and build bridges between science and society for a more sustainable future.

A showcase of scientific excellence with social impact

The congress offers a unique opportunity to highlight the scientific excellence and social impact of the work carried out by the Severo Ochoa centers and María de Maeztu units that make up the SOMMa Alliance. In this edition, five leading scientific institutions from the Valencian Community will serve as hosts, contributing their leadership in strategic areas to tackle major global challenges.

The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, is at the forefront of research in food science and technology. This center conducts studies on the interaction between diet and health, examining how dietary habits affect consumers and developing new foods that address current needs and challenges. Additionally, IATA drives innovation in areas such as the use of nanotechnology and more sustainable packaging materials, as well as the application of microorganisms to transform the food industry. Its commitment to knowledge transfer establishes it as a benchmark for collaboration between science, industry, and society.

The Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol), a member of the University of Valencia and continuously accredited as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence since 2015, specializes in molecular chemistry and nanotechnology. Its research focuses on functional materials and advanced molecules for technological applications such as sensors, electronic devices, and sustainable energy. ICMol stands out for its contributions to the design of frontier materials and its impact on cutting-edge chemistry.

The Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), a joint center of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the CSIC, has been recognized as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence in 2013, 2017, and 2023. The ITQ (UPV-CSIC) is a global leader in catalysis, green chemistry, and the development of materials for sustainable energy. Its work has been key in advancing cleaner and more efficient technologies, providing innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges.

The Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence and affiliated with the University of Valencia and the CSIC, focuses its research on particle physics, nuclear physics, and astroparticles. The center actively collaborates on international projects such as those at CERN, contributing fundamental knowledge about the origin of the universe and the laws that govern it. IFIC has also become a benchmark in training new generations of researchers in theoretical and experimental physics.

Lastly, the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint center of the CSIC and Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, has been a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence continuously since 2014. Its research focuses on understanding the biological foundations of the brain and nervous system, as well as developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders. The IN stands out for its impact in biomedicine and its ability to translate scientific discoveries into solutions that improve well-being.

Science and society: an open gathering

The 100xCiencia.9 congress will not only serve as a forum for the scientific community but also as an open space for the public. The program will include participatory and outreach activities for all audiences, promoting dialogue on topics such as sustainability, health, energy, and climate change. This inclusive approach will help bring science closer to society and highlight its relevance in everyday life.

València: a city committed to science

The choice of València as the venue for the 100xCiencia.9 congress reinforces its position as a leading scientific and technological hub in Spain. With a strong scientific tradition, a network of excellence centers, and a firm commitment to public engagement and social connection, the city stands out as the ideal location to host an event that positions science as a driver of development and transformation.

The SOMMa Alliance calls on the scientific community, R&D policymakers, and the public to join 100xCiencia.9 and be part of this unique event, an opportunity to discover, debate, and connect, where science is presented as a driving force for addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

More information: https://100xciencia2025.com/

Source: Institute for Neurosciences CSIC-UMH (in.comunicacion@umh.es)