The ICCUB is awarded the Maria de Maeztu Excellence Distinction

The Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), one of the four research units that are part of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC — Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya), has been accredited as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence in the 2024 Call by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. This prestigious recognition marks the third time the ICCUB has been honored with the María de Maeztu accreditation, following its initial award in 2014.

This distinction highlights organisations with highly competitive research programmes that are among the best in the world in their respective scientific areas. The evaluation and selection process are conducted independently by an international scientific committee of widely recognised researchers, who select both Severo Ochoa centres and María de Maeztu units under the same rigorous criteria. ICCUB is one of the 17 organisations (9 Severo Ochoa centres and 8 María de Maeztu units) selected in this annual competitive call.

“It is the third time the ICCUB has obtained the Maria de Maeztu award, not an easy feat,” says Xavier Luri, director of the ICCUB and member of the IEEC. “It is not only an acknowledgement of the outstanding science produced by our researchers, but also of the long-term vision and the continuous search of excellence at the ICCUB. This award will allow us to expand our contributions to many key scientific challenges.”

The accreditation provides funding to research organisations that demonstrate international scientific impact and leadership, actively embrace knowledge transfer, and collaborate with the business sector. Efforts in open access policies to scientific publications, outreach, and knowledge diffusion are also recognised. 

The María de Maeztu recognition is valid for four years and provides more than 500.000 € annually. This funding will allow the ICCUB to realise its strategic Research Plan, attract scientific talent and foster their outreach and communication initiatives.

“This award provides ICCUB the means to realise its ambitious scientific vision over the next 4 years,” says Licia Verde, scientific director of the ICCUB. “To me this represents a strong vote of confidence in the quality and impact of past work and the potential of the institute to push the frontiers of the science of the cosmos. I am excited for what the next 4 years will bring, our best work is yet to come!”

As a Unit of Excellence, the ICCUB will remain in the SOMM Excellence Alliance, which promotes Spanish excellence in research and enhances its social impact at national and international levels.

The funding will be used to address several scientific challenges, such as exploring physics beyond the current standard models of particles and cosmology, studying the physics involved in producing gravitational wave sources, and exploiting quantum resources for science and technology.

In addition, the funding will support various institutional activities, including boosting recruitment strategies and talent acquisition with a focus on gender balance; providing comprehensive training programmes for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers; expanding the Mental Health and resilience program or attracting diverse funding sources, fostering international leadership, and enhancing knowledge and technology transfer; prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

This recognition is a testament to the collective effort and unwavering commitment to excellence of all ICCUB researchers, as well as an inspiration for future scientific achievements.