The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, presented yesterday in Madrid the awards that recognize the best research centers in Spain. This is the accreditation as Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence or María de Maeztu Units of Excellence, network of centers that make up the SOMMa alliance, which promotes the quality of Spanish scientific research by recognizing the centers and units that stand out for the relevance and impact of their research. In the Valencian Community there are four Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence in which the Superior Council of Scientific Research (CSIC) participates, such as the Institute of Chemical Technology, the Institute of Neurosciences, the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology and the Institute of Corpuscular Physics, both belonging to the research area of the University of Valencia Science Park as the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia, which has the accreditation of Unit of Excellence Maria Maeztu.
The recognition is made through an annual competitive call, whose applications are evaluated by an international scientific committee based on a series of criteria such as the impact of the research on the world scientific scene, the generation of frontier knowledge, training activities and attraction of human resources at an international level, collaboration with high-level research centers, and activities for the transfer and dissemination of knowledge to society.
Accreditation as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence or María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence is valid for four years and represents one million euros per year for each of the centers during that period, or five hundred thousand euros per year in the case of the units. In addition to social and scientific recognition, accreditation allows priority access to other initiatives for the promotion of research.
At the event, which was held yesterday at the CaixaForum in Madrid, Morant stressed that these accreditations, which are granted by the Government of Spain through the State Research Agency (AEI), are “the highest recognition for centers and units of excellence and are awarded after an extremely rigorous evaluation process.” “It is a thank you from our country to these institutions for the impact of their research on the welfare of citizens, their contribution to the development of a competitive and innovative industry and their great capacity to attract national and international research talent,” he said.
Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA)
The Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology of the CSIC is synonymous with excellence in multidisciplinary research in the area of Food Science and Technology. Its experience (it was founded in 1966) places it at the forefront of innovation and knowledge transfer to the productive sector, as well as in training and education in food science and technology. Its research is encompassed in four key programs: Food and Health; Food Safety and Emerging Risks; Sustainable Food, from production to conservation; and Data Science applied to food.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IATA promoted pioneering projects such as the coronavirus monitoring systems in wastewater and the production of face masks. Both initiatives were recognized in the 1st edition of the CSIC Awards for Transfer and Entrepreneurship. Since receiving the Severo Ochoa distinction for the first time in the 2021 call, IATA has developed 20 patents with great impact on the agri-food industry, and has contributed to scientific advice for public policies addressing issues such as metabolic diseases, plastic contamination, antibiotic resistance or challenges in the wine sector.
Amparo Querol, principal investigator of the Severo Ochoa project at IATA, summarizes what this distinction means for her center: “this recognition has positioned IATA as the first institute of Food Science and Technology recognized for its scientific quality and innovative capacity, raising our prestige at national and international level. Thanks to this distinction, we attract and retain high-level researchers and young talent. The funding we receive allows us to improve our infrastructures, hire qualified personnel and carry out cutting-edge research projects, optimizing our governance.”
Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC)
The Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), a joint center of the CSIC and the University of Valencia, is a pioneer in Spain in research in Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and Astroparticle Physics, as well as its applications in Medical Physics and other fields of Science and Technology. IFIC obtained the Severo Ochoa accreditation in 2015, and now it gets it again in the 2023 call. Thanks to this distinction, IFIC aims to bring fundamental research closer to society, promoting a deeper integration of science in the social and economic fabric.
To this end, we have designed a strategy based on innovative initiatives in areas such as quantum technologies, medical physics and advanced instrumentation, which are essential for the advancement of scientific knowledge and have great potential to generate applications with direct impact on daily life in fields such as health, energy and communications. Therefore, an essential component is the strengthening of technology transfer, including alliances with companies and other innovation centers, in order to facilitate the practical application of our research.
In addition, IFIC's Severo Ochoa project has a strong commitment to the training of new generations of research personnel, providing them with the necessary tools to face technological challenges such as those of artificial intelligence. “This strategic plan, in addition to strengthening and diversifying our research, is designed to anticipate and respond to the challenges of the future. Science is constantly evolving, and with this approach we want to ensure that IFIC remains at the forefront of developing new technologies and creating solutions that benefit society as a whole,” says Verónica Sanz, principal investigator of the Severo Ochoa project at IFIC.
Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol)
The Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) was founded in 2000 to develop competitive and high quality research in materials science using a molecular approach. In fact, ICMol is the only research center in Spain focused exclusively on the molecular aspects of Nanoscience, with special emphasis on the study of functional molecules and materials that exhibit useful magnetic, electrical or optical properties.
In 2016, the institute was recognized by the Spanish Ministry as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence for a period of four years, from 2016 to 2019. In 2020, this accreditation has been renewed for another four-year period, from 2020 to 2024.