The Data Management Unit (UTD) of the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA), CSIC-UNIZAR, has been recognised in the second edition of the CSIC Management Awards, in the CSIC Innova category, for its work in digitising, automating and improving the management of the Institute’s data and processes.
In less than two years, the UTD has successfully transformed a model based on fragmented information and manual procedures into an integrated digital ecosystem, developed within INMA itself and tailored to the needs of its research and management staff. One of the Unit’s main achievements has been the development of six in-house applications. Three of these are designed to streamline routine management tasks: the booking of scientific equipment, the preparation and signing of project timesheets, and the management of equipment inventories. The other three applications turn data into valuable information for the Institute’s strategic planning: they classify publications and projects by research area and research line, and facilitate access to information on INMA’s technological capabilities, including for companies interested in collaborating with the Institute.
The shared objective is straightforward: to reduce administrative burdens, expedite procedures and provide better data to support better decision-making. The impact of these tools is already reflected in the figures. In 2026, the system managed 4,040 equipment bookings, corresponding to 12,579 hours of use, as well as 392 timesheets. The inventory application currently includes 1,647 items of equipment, while the strategic tools manage more than 2,000 publications, over 600 research projects and 67 technological capabilities available online.
In addition to making day-to-day work easier, the information generated enables a deeper understanding of INMA’s scientific activity, helping to identify collaborations between research groups, analyse infrastructure usage, and determine which technological capabilities attract the greatest interest from industry.
This recognition also highlights the potential of the UTD as a model that could be replicated across other CSIC institutes. The integration of data from both CSIC and the University of Zaragoza, the modular application ecosystem, and the collaborative working methodology involving both research and management staff offer solutions that may prove valuable for other centres with similar needs.
Ultimately, this award recognises a way of innovating through management itself: using technology and data to simplify processes, free up time for higher value-added activities, and contribute to a more agile and efficient approach to scientific management.
Congratulations to the entire team! 🎉
05-10-2026
