At ICMM, we are starting an exciting new chapter, marked by the recognition of the Severo Ochoa and MAX programmes, which will guide us in developing an excellence program for the centre.
This month, we selected 10 projects from the 28 proposals received to pursue doctoral theses at the ICMM, funded by this program. The call for applications for the first eight contracts will be announced in September. We have also begun hiring new support staff to strengthen our strategic offices and transversal platforms. And this is only the beginning: over the coming year, we will have the opportunity to enhance our RENUEVA/COMPETE plan, launch small exploratory and synergistic projects, and prepare a dedicated postdoctoral call for the centre.
But there is one initiative we truly enjoy organising, despite the hard work it involves: the ICMM Days, which this year will be largely devoted to the new strategic changes brought about by the Severo Ochoa programme.
Our administration faces the challenge of adapting to a growing team and increased demands with almost the same resources. In the coming months, we anticipate some important departures, which we will strive to compensate. In this regard, I would like to welcome Patricia Capitán, our new manager, and at the same time express my gratitude to Iván Cosío for his dedication and contribution to ICMM.
ICMM continues to be a highly dynamic centre, with so much activity that it can be hard to keep up, not only in the scientific sphere (conferences, congresses, visitors..), but also in our daily community life (outreach, sports, equality activities…). I encourage you to take an active role at ICMM and make the most of this unique opportunity.
