The X4HPC network took center stage this week at CosmoCaixa during the event “El paper de les xarxes R+D+I per transformar la recerca en impacte“. Organized with the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Department of Research and Universities, the gathering brought together Catalonia’s 11 major research and innovation networks to discuss strategies for turning academic research into tangible societal solutions.
Representing the X4HPC (R&D&I Network for High Performance Computing), Anna Escoda played a key role in the day’s discussions, emphasizing the critical function these networks serve in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and market application.
Bridging the Gap: Networks as Decisive Tools
Escoda participated in the event’s opening roundtable, titled “Les xarxes com a eina decisiva de suport a la transferència”. Moderated by Roger Cabezas of iCERCA, the panel explored how organized networks can provide the essential scaffolding for emerging projects to succeed.
During the session, Escoda highlighted that for deep-tech sectors like High Performance Computing (HPC), simply having a breakthrough is not enough. She argued for the necessity of “visibility and continuity,” noting that X4HPC’s mission is to ensure that research projects don’t just end in the lab but are supported through communication, shared resources, and cross-network collaboration.
Sharing the stage with representatives from XaRFA, H2CAT, and i4KIDS, Escoda discussed how X4HPC acts as a catalyst, helping researchers navigate the complex journey of technology transfer.
A Stronger Future for Catalan Research
The event also served as a platform for major announcements regarding the future of innovation in the region. Javier Selva, Director General of Transfer and Knowledge Society, opened the day by unveiling the new 2026-2028 strategic period for R&D&I networks, which will be backed by a €12.5 million investment.
For X4HPC, which is led by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), this renewed commitment underscores the growing importance of supercomputing as a transversal tool for industry and society. By participating in these high-level dialogues, X4HPC continues to solidify its position as a cornerstone of Catalonia’s deep-tech ecosystem, ensuring that computational power translates into real-world impact.
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