Research institutions
The BioRegion has 91 research institutions, including 40 research centers, 20 university hospitals, 12 universities, 14 science and technology parks, 3 large research facilities (Barcelona Supercomputing Center, National Center for Genomic Analysis and Alba Synchrotron) and 2 technology centers.
By scientific production and competitive EU funds secured, Catalonia is ranked near the top in Europe, similar to countries like Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA)
CERCA has 41 centers, 33 of which work in areas related to the life sciences and health. Its mission is to foster development, synergies and the social impact of research.
Leadership in publications and competitive funds
Between 2016 and 2021, Catalonia produced a total of 57,786 scientific publications in the healthcare and life sciences arena (7,533 per million inhabitants), ranking it 5th in Europe. If we look at the Highly Cited Papers (HCP) indicator of excellence, Catalonia leads Europe with 3.08% of publications falling into this category.
With a total of €571 million in competitive funds through Horizon 2020 and 85 ERC grants in the same period, Catalonia is also ranked 5th (per million inhabitants), on par with countries like Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Catalonia, among the top 5 in Europe
By scientific publications and funds raised per million inhabitants (2016-2021), Catalonia is among the leading countries in Europe.
Transfer from research centers
The graph shows the transfer capacity of research centers in the BioRegion based on an analysis of their budget per researcher and number of companies (spinoffs) created, including the volume of investment these spinoffs have secured.
Research institutions
Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA)
CERCA has 41 centers, 33 of which work in areas related to the life sciences and health. Its mission is to foster development, synergies and the social impact of research.
Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)
BIST is a partnership of seven research centers, each a leader in its field, to promote collaboration on multidisciplinary frontier research (with one focal point being health), researcher training and social impact of science.
Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS)
The BSC manages the Mare Nostrum supercomputer, among the top 500 in the world, and is the benchmark HPC (high performance computing) center in Spain. It is a member of PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe).
ALBA Synchrotron
Third generation facility comprised of a complex of particle accelerators that produce synchrotron light. It has two beamlines currently operating (biosciences and materials) and four under construction.
National Center for Genomic Analysis (CNAG)
Founded jointly by the Spanish and Catalan governments, CNAG carries out large scale genome analysis projects in collaboration with Catalan, Spanish and international hospitals and research centers.
Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB)
Promoted by the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and UPF, the PRBB is connected to Hospital del Mar and is home to 7 large biomedical research centers that employ over 1,600 people.
Barcelona Science Park (PCB)
Created in 1997 by the UB, the Park has 30,000 m2 of labs and offices where 96 companies, 123 organizations, 6 research centers and 3,000 professionals work, making it one of the main health R&D hubs.
Eurecat
Benchmark technology center in Catalonia offering innovation solutions and services for various sectors. Annual turnover of €38 million, 450 professionals and nearly 160 R&D projects managed.