ICIQ hosted the kick-off meeting of MAGNESIS on 16 April 2026, bringing together the four principal investigators and their teams to launch this new ERC Synergy project.
With a total budget of more than €12 million, MAGNESIS will investigate how applied magnetic fields affect the mechanism of electrochemical reactions, investigating the effects on water oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction, two key reactions in the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.
The project follows an interdisciplinary approach, since no single discipline can address the complexity of spin dynamics, electronic states, charge transfer and interfacial structure on its own. Over the next six years, the consortium will combine electrocatalysis, advanced surface science, magnetism and multiscale computational modelling.
These areas are covered by the complementary expertise of the four leading researchers involved in the initiative: Prof. José Ramón Galán-Mascarós (ICIQ), who coordinates the project and leads the electrochemical work; Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen (Aarhus University), responsible for surface science studies; Prof. David Écija (IMDEA Nanociencia), focusing on magnetics characterization at the nanoscale; and Prof. Karsten Reuter (Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society), who will develop theoretical and computational models.
During the meeting, the team presented their institutions and outlined how their complementary strengths converge to establish the foundations of magneto-electrocatalysis. The scientific session focused on reviewing the recent achievements in the field and preliminary results to set the first steps of the project, including initial plans and key questions to be addressed in the coming months. ICIQ’s coordination team also introduced the project’s governance structure, covering management procedures, financial and reporting timelines, dissemination activities and data management requirements in line with ERC and Horizon Europe guidelines.
The meeting also included a visit to ICIQ’s laboratories and research infrastructure, giving the consortium an opportunity to explore the facilities that will support MAGNESIS throughout its development. Overall, this first meeting was an excellent opportunity for all the teams to establish the master lines for effective collaboration.
Read more about the project here and at magnesis.eu.
About ERC Synergy Grants
ERC Synergy Grants support projects of up to €10 million over six years, with an additional €4 million available for start-up costs, major equipment, or access to large research facilities. These grants fund ambitious collaborative projects that require the combined expertise of teams of two to four researchers to address complex scientific challenges.
In total, 712 proposals were submitted to the call in 2025. Only about one in ten proposals were selected for funding, with the successful projects receiving on average €10.3 million each. The selected projects will be carried out at universities and research centres in 26 countries across Europe and beyond.
Funded by the European Union (ERC 101224406-MAGNESIS).
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