Thanks to this distinction, the ICM-CSIC will receive €5.75 million in funding over the next four years.
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) has been recognised for the second time as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). This accreditation, one of the most prestigious within the R&D&I system in Spain, acknowledges the scientific impact, quality of leadership, and international relevance of the ICM-CSIC in the field of marine sciences. In this edition, only nine centres have achieved this coveted recognition, with the ICM being the only marine research centre.
The distinction recognises the exceptional scientific productivity and leadership of the ICM-CSIC during the 2020–2024 period, highlighting high-impact contributions that advance the frontiers of knowledge in globally important topics. It also highly values the strategic plan submitted for 2025–2028, which is based on three pillars: scientific leadership, social impact, and strengthening institutional capacity. Commitments to environmental sustainability, equity, and ethics support these pillars. The plan introduces thematic and interdisciplinary research hubs that emphasise collaboration, innovation, and social engagement.
The director of the ICM-CSIC, Valentí Sallarès, stated:
“This renewal strengthens our commitment to scientific excellence, which we understand as a collective effort with three main components: international leadership in marine research, social impact through knowledge transfer and contributing to evidence-based decision-making, and institutional empowerment through the continuous improvement of our work environment and tools that allow us to move forward as a cohesive, sustainable scientific community with a future-oriented vision.”
This second accreditation is a recognition of all the progress made during the first accreditation and will allow us to continue strengthening our position as a benchmark centre for research, knowledge transfer, and inspiration in the environmental field.
Thanks to this distinction, the ICM-CSIC will receive structural funding of €4.5 million over the next four years, along with ten predoctoral grants, totalling €5.75 million. The support will be used to strengthen its internal organisation, boost its scientific strategy, promote the attraction of research talent, and increase its international visibility.
The Severo Ochoa accreditation is part of a competitive call managed by the State Research Agency (AEI). This year, the agency has allocated €75.7 million to nine centres and eight research units—78% more than in the last call in 2018.
The call is aimed at centres and units of excellence from the public sector and non-profit private research institutions, whose scientific leadership is internationally recognised and which can decisively contribute to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, generating high-impact results, and attracting talent.
The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, emphasised that “the Government of Spain is promoting and strengthening science like never before, so that it is of higher quality and serves our country and society as a whole.”
With this distinction, the ICM-CSIC consolidates itself as an international benchmark in the study of the marine environment in a context of growing concern about ocean health and the impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems. The centre combines cutting-edge research with outreach, knowledge transfer, and training activities, thereby contributing to a more informed, sustainable, and resilient society.