At a ceremony held in Madrid, ICN2 Representatives received the recognition for having been accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence

by Jose M Arcos

The event, which was presided over by Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, honoured the most distinguished scientific centres and units in Spain.

The ceremony to recognise those accredited as Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence and María de Maeztu Units of Excellence in the last calls (2018-2023) took place in Madrid on September 5. Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Diana Moran presided over the event and highlighted the ‘deep transformative potential’ of these institutions of excellence in tackling national challenges through science. ICN2 vice director and ICREA Prof. Jose Antonio Garrido received the recognition on behalf of the centre. He was accompanied by CSIC Prof. Pablo Ordejón, ICN2 Director, and Dr Margarita Navia, Head of Strategy. ICN2’s Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence current accreditation covers the period from 2023 to 2026 and marks the centre's third consecutive achievement.

This call aims to recognise the best research centres and units in the country based on their scientific performance and achievements in recent years and to help them consolidate their scientific leadership at the international level. Accreditation as a 'Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence' and 'María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence' implies significant funding for strategic research programmes over four years. Additionally, Morant noted that this distinction, granted by the Spanish Government through the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), is 'the highest recognition for centres and units of excellence and is awarded after a thorough and rigorous evaluation process”.

This recognition is a confirmation of the ICN2's core mission of scientific excellence. In the coming years, we will continue to lead frontier research at an international level, promoting the impact of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials and translating their use into applications. With the renewal for a 4-year term (2023-2026) of the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation, ICN2 will continue to take major steps to consolidate its international leadership and influence, while maximising its impact.