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Research centres in Barcelona

  • ALBA Synchrotron light facility

    This third-generation scientific infrastructure, the most important in the Mediterranean, is committed to scientific excellence, progress and the well-being of society.

    ALBA Synchrotron

  • Barcelona Supercomputing Center

    The BSC-CNS is housed in the MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. Manufactured by IBM, it works in fields that range from medical research to astrophysics.

    BSC-CNS - MareNostrum

  • National Genome Analysis Centre

    The NGAC, where researchers from around the world work together, aims to carry out DNA sequencing projects to improve people’s quality of life and health.

    National Genome Analysis Centre 

  • Barcelona Biomedical Research Park

    Consisting of 7 centres which perform excellent science and 1,400 people from 55 different countries (35% of the staff are foreigners),. the PRBB explores the most important scientific and biomedical questions

    Barcelona Biomedical Research Park

  • ALBA Synchrotron light facility
  • Barcelona Supercomputing Center
  • National Genome Analysis Centre
  • Barcelona Biomedical Research Park

Barcelona, a focal point for research

Fostering scientific research in Catalonia comes from an impetus for competitiveness to promote economic growth, progress and social well-being.

The tools for achieving this competitiveness include: a home-grown research-centre model in Catalonia, policies for attracting and keeping talent, large-scale research infrastructures and a wide political and institutional consensus that brings stability to the system.

The research, development and investigation (RDI) system throughout Catalonia is made up of:

  • 12 universities (7 public, 4 private and 1 online) and 36 university research institutes
  • 51 research centres in Catalonia (CERCA) devoted to excellence in research
  • 21 centres belonging to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
  • 11 IRTA centres (Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology)
  • 8 hospital institutions that carry out excellent research in biomedicine
  • 16 scientific and technological parks for the transfer and use of knowledge
  • 13 large research-support infrastructures (GISR)
  • 1,899 research groups
  • 648,073 publications
  • CERCA Centres

    CERCA Centres

    Created around a university system, CERCA centres enjoy a home-grown model of Independence and flexibility and conduct cutting-edge research aiming for scientific and economic impact onand improvements to social and individual well-being.

    Visit CERCA Centres

  • CSIC centres in Barcelona - Scientific and technological progress

    CISC Centres

    As the biggest public institution in Spain and the third biggest in Europe, the Spanish National Research Council (CISC) works towards developing scientific and technological progress.

    Visit CISC Centres

  • iCrea, an institution for the growth of research

    ICREA

    A talent-hiring programme that helps to attract and keep the best researchers from around Catalonia since 2001. ICREA employs 258 researchers in all fields of knowledge, from philosophers to astrophysicists, that perform their research in 49 different host institutions in Catalonia.

    Visit iCrea

  • Bellvitge University Hospital

    Hospital institutions

    They provide support for health centres in research, scientific-and medicinal training and the development of knowledge, promoting links with universities, institutions and industries around the world.

    Visit Hospital institutions

  • TECNIO Centres

    TECNIO technology centres

    These are expert technological centres forindustrial research and technology transfer. They contribute to a new model, based on innovation, excellence and differential technology.

    Visit TECNIO Centres

  • IRTA

    IRTA

    This institute contributes to the competitiveness, modernisation and sustainable development of the food, agricultural and aquaculture sector which helps to improve people's well-being

    Visit IRTA

  • Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute

    Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC)

    The Josep Carreras Institute is one of the few monographic centres dedicated to the fight against leukaemia. Its objective is to find new treatments, improve the lives of patients and create international synergies.

    Visit IJC

  • ACER

    ACER

    The Catalan Association of Research Bodies (ACER) aims to establish Catalonia as an international benchmark in all areas of knowledge, focusing its activities on RD.

    Visit ACER