Who we are
The INCIENSA Foundation (FUNIN) is a private entity of public utility with its own legal personality, non-profit and privately, as stipulated in Article 1 of the Law of Foundations. In this sense, it promotes and develops biomedical research domiciled in Costa Rica, which contributes, worldwide, to the well-being of people, which is achieved by improving health and positive impact on the communities where we work.
Now, to achieve its corporate purpose, FUNIN established the Costa Rican Agency for Biomedical Research (ACIB) since 2017; previously called the Guanacaste Epidemiological Project. Therefore, ACIB-FUNIN constitutes the internal body in charge of the development of biomedical research.
ACIB-FUNIN has carried out studies related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, with the SARS-CoV-2 virus which cause COVID-19, as well as with breast cancer, stomach cancer, among other conditions, which have contributed and invaluable results to the scientific community and global public health. In addition to the above, ACIB-FUNIN promotes activities that contribute to sustainable development, for which the social and environmental dimensions are integrated in the operations and in the relationships with the concerned parties.
ACIB-FUNIN is an active promoter of research studies of high scientific value. In this regard, being at the forefront and in line with countries outstanding in biomedical research is a purpose that the organization maintains. With this, researchers are offered a environment in which they can develop adequately in the conception or creation of new scientific knowledge.
In our country, high-level researchers and researchers concur, who require a first-world infrastructure for the development of studies with high scientific and quality standards. In relation to this, it is important to emphasize that ACIB-FUNIN has two offices that fully meet these requirements.
- They are a platform for innovation in biomedical research, unique in Costa Rica, with infrastructure facilities,equipment and capabilities to develop high-quality biomedical research.
- They constitute a success case in the fields of international scientific cooperation and technology transfer.
- They are recognized as allies in socio-economic development, which is understood as an attraction for new organizations and different professionals interested in developing science and research.
- They represent an important source of employment for the Guanacaste region and the GAM.
ACIB-FUNIN at EARTH University Campus,
La Flor farm, Liberia-Guanacaste.
ACIB-FUNIN in Mata Redonda
San Jose Costa Rica.
Currently, ACIB -FUNIN has more than 20 service centers for the participants of the research studies, located in different regions of the country’s provinces.
The distribution by province of the ACIB-FUNIN Service Centers is:
Alajuela: Alajuela Centro, Barrio San José, San Rafael, Naranjo, San Ramón, Grecia y Ciudad Quesada.
Cartago: Cartago Centro, Paraíso y Tres Ríos.
San José: San Rafael de Escazú, Desamparados, Guadalupe y Coronado.
Heredia: San Francisco y Barrio Corazón de Jesús.
Guanacaste: Filadelfia, Liberia, Cañas, Nicoya y Santa Cruz
Puntarenas: Puntarenas Centro.
Limón: Guápiles.
Our commitment is to continue researching, discovering and helping thousands of people around the world and making science from Costa Rica.
OBJECTIVE
Support in any way the Costa Rican Institute of Research and Education in Health and Nutrition, INCIENSA, managing scholarships and grants, and awarding them herself to the researchers of the institution and administering the ones they manage to obtain, raising funds, equipment, materials, books, supplies, and finally everything that by its nature the institution requires or its researchers, or that may be used for its benefit, all in compliance with the purposes for which this institution was created.
Mission
VISION
The Foundation assumes a set of values that express its commitment to good governance. The pillars that underlying its actions are foundational social responsibility, respect for stakeholders and information transparency.
Its knowledge, dissemination and implementation serve as a guide for the actions of the members of the Assembly of Sponsors, the Administrative Board, its committees, the executive director, the research department and other bodies and professionals that make up the Foundation.
The values that must prevail in the behavior of the foundation are:
- Commitment with society, which implies developing our activities with a profound human sense, respect for all stakeholders and in a sustainable way.
- Prudence in investments, which entails optimizing one’s own financial resources to achieve the goals of the Foundation, always prioritizing the conservation of value.
- Transparency, which implies the provision of clear information about the activities of the Foundation and the origin of its funds financing means.
- Equity, which guarantees equal opportunities in access to the activities and positions of the Foundation
- Principle of regulatory compliance, according to which the Foundation will promote the achievement of its goals in the framework of the most strict compliance with the law, its statutes and internal regulations..
- Principle of proper functioning of its governing bodies, which requires the efficient functioning of the organization, and promote creativity, the search for excellence and continuous improvement.
- Principle of independence of criteria of the sponsors and directors in decision making. This principle includes non-remuneration, for any reason, by the Foundation of those who hold positions on the Board of Sponsors or the Administrative Board.
- Principle of planning and monitoring of the activities carried out, by virtue of which the Administrative Board will approve the Strategic Plans that include the objectives and the activities that are planned to be carried out to achieve the objectives foundational purposes. Likewise, it will define the AD-CO-01 v 4.1 9 internal control and monitoring systems of the different activities launched.
- Principle of financial independence, the Foundation will not accept financial contributions that compromise compliance of its objectives, values or principles, that endanger the fulfillment of its goals or whose origin is illicit or not transparent or that compromise the independence of our investigators.
The Foundation seeks to contribute to improving people’s health and quality of life by conducting research high-quality biomedical sciences and a global vision. Guided by high ethical standards and committed to protecting the rights and welfare of the subjects participating in each of the investigations. Our studies will always be based on doing the best for the patient, so the studies will be designed and conducted in the best way, avoiding exposing the patient to risks higher than those of the disease, and that are useful for people and medical sciences.
