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Letter from the Scientific Director
Dr . Jaume Bosch . Scientific Director CIBEREHD
Thank you so much for following the scientific activity of the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Networking Biomedical Research Centre in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases) (CIBEREHD) .
CIBEREHD is one of the eight subject areas of research in the CIBER public consortium . Our goal is to promote high level translational research through the interaction and cooperation of the best Spanish groups . In 2014 it consisted of 51 groups (43 regular groups, 1 associated group and 7 linked clinical groups) .
Our mission is:
• Carrying out joint research programmes, development and innovation in digestive and liver diseases, promoting interaction and synergies among the groups .
• Promoting the transfer of research results to society towards both clinical applications and the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry, and contributing to solving health care issues relating to hepatic and digestive diseases .
• Promoting the active participation in research in priority issues in the national sphere and in projects included in the European Framework R&D&I Programmes .
• Promoting the diffusion of its activities and the training of competitive researchers in the field of digestive and liver diseases .
CIBEREHD is directed by the Scientific Director, appointed by the ISCIII, who assumes responsibility for all CIBEREHD actions with the assistance of the Assistant Scientific Manager and the rest of the Steering Committee comprising the Manager, the Training Coordinator and the Coordinators of Research Programmes and Technological Platforms . The Steering Committee establishes the 4-year action plan, under advisement of the External Scientific Committee and according to the result of the annual evaluations of its activity .
CIBEREHD funding primarily (80%) comes from the ISCIII . The funding is mainly used for covering researcher and support staff salaries, to acquire scientific infrastructure and support research programmes, and to a lesser extent to train research staff and for management expenses . Consortium institutions contribute with their facilities, services and part of their staff (researchers attached to CIBEREHD) . CIBEREHD also provides its own funding for a significant percentage of its budget through competitive research projects, contracts with the industry and service contracts with other institutions, and through donations .
4 CIBEREHD » Annual report 2014