The IMSE will represent the CSIC at the European Science Fair "Science is Wonderful!" 2026

"Science is Wonderful!", the International Science Fair organized by the European Commission, will be held in Brussels on March 18, 19 and 20, 2026, and will once again feature, for the third consecutive year, the participation of a team of researchers from the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla (IMSE-CNM)

Every year in Brussels, the European Commission holds the "Science is Wonderful!" Science Fair to showcase the best research projects it funds across the continent. Among the 41 projects selected for the next edition in 2026 is SQPRIM, a project developed by the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM) that aims to explore new methods for improving security in digital spaces. This will be the third time IMSE-CNM has been represented at this European event, having already participated in the last edition held in March. On this occasion, the Institute has received unique recognition as the only center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) chosen to represent the institution at this international fair.

More than 5,000 students from across Europe are expected to attend in the European capital. During the three days of the fair, attendees will be able to learn about science and discover the impact of scientific advances on their daily lives. They will do so alongside researchers from around the world, who are leaders in their fields and receive European funding through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), a European program that promotes excellence in research.

The IMSE-CNM research team, comprised of experts from the Hardware Security Group, will have its own stand entitled "Mission Impossible: Secrets of the Digital World." There, through interactive games, scientific demonstrations, and workshops, they will present challenges related to cybersecurity, including a laser maze, and post-quantum cryptography.

SQPRIM Project

The SQPRIM (Secure Post-Quantum Cryptographic Primitives) project is funded by the European Union through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-PF-2022) under Funding Agreement number 101105985. This project is being carried out at the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Seville, by researchers Piedad Brox and David Martín Sánchez.