THE NEED TO GROW

Science is a universal human enterprise, and every research system has to find its own way to success.

ICREA is an institution founded in 2001 by the Catalan government tailored to the particular needs of our research system. It has succeeded in gathering one of the most influential research communities in the world.

The mission of ICREA is to attract and retain exceptional researchers from all over the world to promote the impact and global visibility of Catalan universities and research centres.

In 2019, as many as 7 ICREA Research Professors have ranked in the top 1% most cited academics in the world.

 

What is our secret?

THE NEED TO GROW

THE NEED TO FIND

We are not defined by our origins, but by our choices.

ICREA chooses researchers through a robust, merit-based process that relies on the opinions of independent, high profile experts who look for quality and excellence, creativity and talent.

We are committed to hiring the minds that will shape the thoughts of future generations.

signatory of dora

ICREA is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration of Research Assesment.

ICREA is an institution without walls. ICREA Research Professors choose their host institutions within the Catalan research system where they act as research leaders and attractors of additional talent.

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ICREA Research Professors can move freely within the Catalan research system keeping their ICREA position.

THE NEED TO FIND

THE NEED TO DISCOVER

ICREA gathers a vibrant community of scientists and academics who contribute to the advancement of humankind by exploring, interpreting and questioning. ICREA is constantly expanding and attracting new talent.

269

ICREA Research Professors

hold permanent ICREA positions
as of 31st December 2020.

ICREAs BY TYPE OF HOST INSTITUTION
130
in universities
114
in CERCA centres
14
in CSIC centres
11
in other research institutions

An external, independent Promotion Committee regularly evaluates their performance throughout their career.

ICREAs IN EVERY AREA
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ICREA is a holder of the EURAXESS Human Resources Strategy For Researchers (HRS4R) badge in recognition for its outstanding HR practices.

ICREAs FROM MANY COUNTRIES
27

nationalities represented

40%

non-Spanish nationals

world map

THE NEED TO DISCOVER

THE NEED TO DREAM

ICREA Research Professors often attain recognition for pursuing research on the frontiers of knowledge. This year was no exception: they continued to receive major awards and honours for their contribution to the advancement of humankind through their outstanding research. These are a few ICREA Research Professors who received awards in 2020. See other awards in the “Honours and Awards” section.

THE NEED TO DREAM

THE NEED TO SHARE

ICREA is among the leading research institutions in the world.

CITATIONS AND IMPACT

citation impact

ICREA Research Professors produce a staggering amount of high profile publications, and are an extremely influential scientific community.

2,174

total publications

89%

articles in first quartile publications

ERC GRANTS PER MILLION INHABITANTS

ERC Map

Catalan universities and research centres provide an exceptional environment for research. Thanks to this, ICREA Research Professors in 2020 have been able to continue performing beyond expectations.


This year, 7 ICREA Research Professors have been included among the top 1% most cited researchers worldwide by Clarivate Analytics.

HIGHLY CITED OVER TOTAL ACTIVE PI

THE NEED TO SHARE

THE NEED TO TRANSFORM

There is neither basic nor translational science. There is only science, which changes the way we understand ourselves and the universe, and which eventually leads to amazing discoveries. In the meantime, it attracts funds, creates occupation and brings new technologies and opportunities.

These are some relevant figures of our achievements:

THE NEED TO TRANSFORM

THE NEED TO NURTURE

To further support research in Catalan public universities, ICREA offers research intensification grants to selected faculty who are in an expanding phase of their careers through the ICREA Acadèmia programme.

Over the last decade, the grant has helped researchers to increase their fund attraction and expand their international funding options. The amount of funding went up by 38% (2008-2018), and the number of different funding bodies increased over 30% after concession (2009-2019)*.

299

ICREA Academia grants to date

120

active grants

This year 2 ICREA Acadèmia grantees, Luisa F. Cabeza (UdL) and Jordi Salas-Salvadó (URV), are included among the top 1% most cited researchers by Clarivate Analytics.

NORMALISED IMPACT

normalised impact

THE NEED TO NURTURE

THE NEED TO EXPLAIN

We are very proud to say that most all our funding comes from the Catalan government. We use it wisely and invest the funds with the utmost care to make sure that our resources are directly turned into the best possible science. Here is a snapshot of our budget structure.

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100%

Government of Catalonia

BUDGET ALLOCATION BY TYPE OF HOST INSTITUTION
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THE NEED TO EXPLAIN

THE NEED TO COOPERATE

In the end, our secret is no secret at all. ICREA is an instrument carefully crafted to meet the needs of the Catalan research system which has become a symbol of its excellence. We are very proud of having 47 host institutions allied under the same values and vision: to use research to contribute to a fairer, safer and more prosperous society for all.

 

This is our secret.
sustainable development goals

ICREA promotes the advancement of knowledge as a contribution to peace and fairness for all, to provide welfare, defend equality and guarantee freedom. All Sustainable Development Goals can nourish from knowledge and research, and ICREA Research Professors work directly on each of these goals to bring them closer every day.

This is the world we want.

THE NEED TO COOPERATE