FUNLAYERS Hackathon: Turning Ideas into Stronger Proposals
Turning research ideas into concrete, fundable projects — that was the challenge at the FUNLAYERS Hackathon: Sprint to Submission, held on 23 October at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. The event brought together researchers for a full day of teamwork, mentoring, and creative problem-solving.
The initiative, organised by INL and the Early-Stage Researchers Association at INL, challenged participants to develop their own research ideas into stronger, more competitive proposals. Working in teams, they refined their concepts through practical exercises, mentoring rounds, and final pitches evaluated by a jury of experienced INL researchers.
Throughout the day, INL senior researchers acted as mentors, providing valuable feedback and guidance to help participants structure and communicate their ideas effectively. The event created an energetic and supportive environment where innovation, science, and collaboration met.
Hackathon Awards
1ˢᵗ Place: five professional coaching sessions with Chaperone (expert support for developing and submitting research proposals)
2ⁿᵈ Place: three professional coaching sessions with Chaperone
3ʳᵈ Place: two professional coaching sessions with Chaperone
Team Pitch Award: Voucher for a team-building activity
“If I had had this opportunity when I was a junior postdoc, it would have saved me from so many pitfalls,” shared Sara Abalde, Research Scientist PI at INL and Hackathon Mentor. “This initiative is extremely important - not only for early-stage researchers but also for more experienced ones - and it should be promoted as much as possible.“
Participants left the event with refined project concepts, new insights into proposal development, and strengthened connections within the FUNLAYERS community. The winning teams will now benefit from tailored consultancy sessions to prepare their next funding submissions.
