The Institute for Neurosciences UMH-CSIC inaugurates the expansion of its facilities on the Sant Joan d’Alacant campus

9 de June de 2026

  • The expansion, funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has involved an investment of more than €2.1 million and will strengthen the centre’s research capacity.

The Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint research centre of Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC),  inaugurated the expansion of its facilities on the Sant Joan d’Alacant campus today. The project has added more than 800 square metres to the Ramón y Cajal building and connected it to the Muhammad Al-Shafra building, improving research spaces and supporting the centre’s future growth. The expansion was carried out by UMH’s Vice-Rectorate for Infrastructure within the framework of the Valencian Community’s 2021–2027 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme, with a total investment of €2,196,309.82.

Photo: Institute for Neurosciences CSIC-UMH

As part of the inauguration, attendees toured the new facilities to gain first-hand insight into the additional spaces and improvements made to the centre. The visit was attended by the Regional Secretary for Universities of the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian Regional Government), María Esther Gómez Martín, and the Director General for Science and Research, Rafael Sebastián; the Rector of Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Juan José Ruiz Martínez, accompanied by the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure, Pedro Vicente, and members of the University’s Executive Board; the CSIC’s Deputy Vice-President for Institutional Relations, Ana Isabel Criado Contreras, and the CSIC Delegate for the Valencian Community, Juan Fuster; the Director of the UMH-CSIC Institute for Neurosciences, Juana Gallar, and the Institute’s Deputy Director, Guillermina López-Bendito; as well as academic representatives and representatives of the construction company.

The expansion addresses a strategic need of the Institute for Neurosciences, whose scientific growth in recent years has highlighted the need for additional space dedicated to research, collaboration and technological development. The new infrastructure will improve working conditions for the Institute’s staff and facilitate the incorporation of new scientific capabilities in the future.

“This expansion represents a major step forward for the Institute for Neurosciences. Limited space constrains our ability to incorporate new technologies, attract talent and launch new lines of research. Thanks to these new facilities, we will be able to continue growing and further strengthen our scientific excellence”, said Juana Gallar, IN UMH-CSIC Director.

The connection between the Ramón y Cajal and Muhammad Al-Shafra buildings will further enhance the integration of the Institute’s facilities, create new research spaces for the Institute for Neurosciences and foster interaction among researchers, strengthening a highly collaborative scientific environment. Through this project, UMH and CSIC reaffirm their commitment to the development of world-class scientific infrastructure and to cutting-edge research capable of addressing some of the major challenges in the field of neuroscience.

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