The award will be given to the best innovation project proposal related to health and the sea, falling within one of the following areas:

• (1) clinical studies demonstrating the benefits of consuming seafood;
• (2) development of products or services based on the biological effects of molecules derived from or inspired by chemical structures present in marine environments;
• (3) epidemiology, public health, and the environment in coastal settings:
  • physical activity
  • mental health
  • behavior
  • changes in biodiversity and associated health risks
  • any other topic within this field;
• (4) technologies in the field of health and related to the sea.

During its development, the project must take into account the dimensions of RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation), indicating in the proposal the actions that will be carried out to highlight the participation of society and the dissemination of the project to researchers from fields of science other than health, to citizens, and to other key non-scientific agents (associations, decision-makers, but without scientific training, etc.). The aim is to promote alignment between research processes and their social outcomes, with the goal of better meeting people's expectations and needs.

Projects aimed at generating new fundamental knowledge that do not involve the development or application of new products or services (proof of concept), the validation of existing or developing products or services (clinical studies or proof of concept for new uses), or any other proposal that does not have an impact on clinical practice, such as improving clinical practice guidelines or health protocols, will not be eligible for this award.

The proposal will be led by a principal investigator from among the groups affiliated with INiBICA, who may collaborate (as co-principal investigator or as part of Team) with professionals from the Public Health System of the province of Cádiz, or with groups from the University of Cádiz its University Research Institutes related to the subject matter.

The prize money is ten thousand euros (€10,000). The amount awarded to the winning project must be used for its development. Note: the prize will be managed through the INiBICA management foundation.

The maximum time frame for completing the Projects be one year from the publication of the jury's decision (a longer period may be considered if the nature of the project so requires, e.g., in clinical validation studies or those dependent on the approval of the Ethics Committee).

Only expenses arising from the implementation of the project (purchase of materials and resources, services, hiring of personnel, and/or co-financing of contracts necessary to ensure the success of the proposal) may be considered eligible expenses.

At the end of the period set for the completion of the project, the final report with the results obtained must be submitted to INIBICA.

The Projects will be evaluated by an evaluation committee made up of professionals with recognized expertise in the field of biomedical innovation who have no conflict of interest with any of the proposals submitted. The criteria to be assessed will be:

• Scientific-technical proposal and expected impact (60 points): quality, feasibility, timeliness, relevance, interest, applicability, and transferability to the market and/or clinical practice; innovation and impact; dissemination and technology and results transfer plan; suitability of the proposal to the terms and conditions and to innovation related to the marine-coastal environment. Interest from any public or private entity interested in the development and results of the project, in order to accelerate its transfer, will be viewed positively.
• INiBICA Principal Investigator (15 points): research experience (according to the status of the group, whether established or emerging); innovation and transfer results; experience in managing multidisciplinary teams; motivation; previous collaborations in Projects an impact on health.
• Team (10 points): structure, presence of co-IP, complementary profiles, and added value to the proposal; track record or potential for joint innovation development and implementation.
• RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation (5 points): proposal for actions aimed at scientific education, inclusion of gender perspective, open access, ethics, governance, citizen participation, as applicable.
• Impact of the project on INiBICA and its scientific programs (5 points). Consideration will be given to whether the project involves collaboration between different intramural programs, the creation of new collaborations with the surrounding community, and the development of the cross-cutting area of health transfer based on marine resources.