The ICREA Academia programme was launched in 2008 to foster and nurture excellence in research done by professors of Catalan public universities. The programme provides a research intensification to selected university professors who are in a fully active and expansive phase of their research careers.

The grant provides funds for teaching discharge for a period of five years. The 9^th edition of the programme was launched in December 2016.

The total number of ICREA Academia grants to date is 229.

Selection process

Selection focuses on the scientific performance of each candidate, along these three main lines:

• Scientific excellence
• Leadership
• Potential for growth

Five international committees are set up to evaluate candidates. Each committee is responsible for one the following areas: Engineering sciences; Experimental sciences & mathematics; Humanities; Life & medical sciences; and Social & behavioural sciences. Committee members are of high international standing and always come from outside the Catalan research system. The key features of the selection process are:

• Selection by independent, external experts
• Independent on-line evaluation of each candidate by each committee member
• Meeting of committee members, exchange of information, discussion, and consensus.

DISTRIBUTION BY AREA OF RESEARCH

DISTRIBUTION BY GENDER

DISTRIBUTION BY AGE

The ceremony of the ICREA Acadèmia awards took place at the Palau de la Generalitat on Monday 24^th of July 2017. It was chaired by our Hble. conseller d’Empresa i Coneixemen, Dr. Santi Vila. Dr. Arcadi Navarro, Secretari d’Universitats i Recerca, and Dr. Antonio Huerta, Director d’ICREA, completed the Board of Authorities.

Among the considerable audience, several rectors and vicerectors of all universities attended the ceremony, and of course, the families, friends and relatives of the 15 awardees of 2016.

After a introduction by the Director of ICREA, the awards were handed out and two presentations ensued, given by two awardees: Dr. Noemí Pereda (UB) and Dr. David Comas (UPF).

Our Hble. conseller Dr. Santi Vila then addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of research to improve the quality of our universities, and its role in creating a true knowledge economy for our country.