During the event, the international dimension of the organization and the role of its global affiliates were also highlighted. In this context, Josep Samitier, Director of Fraunhofer Spain Research, shared the experience and journey behind the establishment of a new Fraunhofer affiliate abroad.

In his presentation, Samitier outlined in detail the roadmap that led to the creation of Fraunhofer Spain Research, a private foundation established in 2024 and located at the Barcelona Science Park. He emphasized that founding a Fraunhofer affiliate outside Germany requires strong collaboration between scientific institutions, government bodies, and local stakeholders.

In Spain, the initiative has been supported by key partners including the Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, and the Spanish Government. This institutional collaboration has been essential to launching a project aimed at strengthening the innovation ecosystem and fostering stronger links between applied research, industry, and society.

Samitier also highlighted the importance of international connectivity within the Fraunhofer network. Beyond establishing new centers, he stressed that the real value lies in building bridges between institutes, disciplines, and countries to accelerate knowledge transfer and the development of technological solutions.

The Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theragnostics (Fraunhofer CAT), the first research program of Fraunhofer Spain Research, was officially inaugurated on October 10, 2025, marking a major milestone for the organization’s presence in Spain and further reinforcing Fraunhofer’s commitment to international collaboration in applied research.