R&D in Catalonia

R&D Units in Catalonia

In the current Catalan system of science and technology the universities are the main agents of research in Catalonia: they have boosted the progress of knowledge by enabling research training, research and technological innovation. These activities are mainly undertaken by research groups, university departments and research centres.

Furthermore, the Research and Innovation Plan (PRI) by means of its Programme of centres and infrastructure includes other agents in addition to the universities that contribute to the generation of knowledge.

On this web page you will find information about research groups that are recognised by the PRI, R&D centres, the Xarxa IT (IT Network), the Network of Technological Springboards, the Catalan Science and Technology Parks Network and research institutes mainly linked to the universities and public research institutions.

Research Groups Recognised by the Research and Innovation Plan (PRI)
The PRI research support programme is to provide support for research groups and foster the creation of new research groups both at universities and Catalonia research centres with the objective of improving the quality and competitiveness of the research and innovation system in Catalonia. These groups are characterised by the quality and coherence of their research work, which is accredited by means of joint publications, participation in common projects, joint transfer activities and the dissemination of knowledge and the results to society.
Consult recognised research groups

CERCA, Research Centres of Catalonia
This is a programme promoted by the Government of Catalonia with the aim of grouping, coordinating and increasing the awareness of the activities of the independent research centres and institutes created in recent years and which until now did not have a common institution.
Access to the CERCA centers

R&D Centres
This section contains independent centres promoted by the Government of Catalonia within the framework of the PRI in order to promote research in priority areas of great interest to Catalonia; CSIC centres located in Catalonia; CIDEM technological centres; university research centres and other centres linked to public research institutions or private non-profit institutions.
The directory of R&D Centres in Catalonia contains information about R&D centres involved in research and development.
Help page for selecting type of access or search the directory
Access to the directory of R&D Centres
Consult R&D centres by field

Network of Technological Innovation
The support programme for knowledge and technology transfer of the PRI is to create a dynamic and interdependent system of science, technology and enterprise, especially with regard to the creation of interface structures in order to facilitate the transfer of technology to the market and the commercial subcontracting of research centres. Within the framework of the Xarxa IT (IT Network) the role of the technology transfer manager is recognised. Emphasis is placed on training and these studies are included within the university syllabus framework. Great importance is attached to the technology transfer work of the researchers and there are plans to reconcile this activity with teaching and research.
Consult network of technological innovation

Network of Technological Springboards
Technological springboards are units that support the creation of knowledge-based or technologically-based companies. Technological springboards are organised in the form of a network. The objective of this network is to facilitate the creation of companies within the university environment in order to foster business dynamism. The springboards, in addition to attracting new projects and providing advice and consultation in order to transform these projecs into companies, also include a series of initiatives structured to provide business support from the classroom, such as: courses on how to create your own company, talks from alumni on their experiences creating companies, business plan competitions, etc.
Consult network of technological springboards

The Catalan Science and Technology Parks Network
The Catalan Science and Technology Parks Network (XPCAT) groups together 10 large areas of production, transfer, dissemination and use of knowledge, and it acts as the focal point of contact for the research and innovation communities. This network includes university groups and research centres, companies and research institutes, and new knowledge-based companies are created with the aim of creating value in their activities. In order to achieve this, there are a large number of people that develop research and innovation activities within a broad range of work areas.
Consult the Catalan network of science and technology parks

University Research Institutes
In accordance with the organic law governing universities (LOU) and the Catalan universities law (LUC), university research institutes are centres that focus on scientific and technical research or artistic creation. Doctoral and post-graduate syllabuses can be organised and developed and they may belong to a particular university, be inter-university or be associated to one or more public universities, by means of an agreement.
Consult university research centres

Reference R&D&I Networks
Within the PRI research support programme a series of measures has been undertaken in order to foster the establishment of collaboration networks between groups with common objectives and to promote interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity. The aim of these measures is to boost collaboration between groups of different institutions, to increase the capacity to prepare and propose major joint research and innovation projects, increase the critical mass of researchers, optimise R&D&I infrastructure and equipment in Catalonia and fully exploit investment in R&D&I.

CSIC Centres in Catalonia
List of Higher Council for Scientific Research Centres located in Catalonia.
Consult CSIC centres

Last update: 10th October, 2007