Welcome to Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ). Established as a Public Foundation of the Generalitat de Catalunya in 2004, ICIQ is part of the Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA) and a founding member of the BIST. Our centre has a diverse board composed of prominent figures from the academic, business, and institutional sectors, including the Minister of Research and Universities of the Catalan Government and the Rector of the Rovira i Virgili University, along with representatives from leading companies such as BASF and Repsol. Their support and oversight are crucial for our future strategy and successes. Additionally, our Scientific Advisory Board, which includes internationally renowned experts in various fields of chemistry, advises us to ensure our research lines remain at the scientific forefront, helping to identify emerging opportunities and maximize the impact of our research.

At ICIQ, our mission is to lead global research in chemistry to address major social and economic challenges. We strive to promote scientific progress as a driver for a sustainable and equitable future that improves the lives of future generations and the state of the planet. We focus on areas such as innovative catalysis, renewable energies, and molecular medicine. By aligning our research with these areas, we aim to develop technologies for the synthesis of new materials, the production of clean energy, and drug discovery.

Our multidisciplinary team, consisting of 250 scientists from over 40 nationalities, is diverse and inclusive. ICIQ has 19 group leaders who enjoy full autonomy and independence to develop their activities within the centre’s research lines. In addition to their research, group leaders are authors of articles, book chapters, and covers of specialised scientific journals. They have also contributed to the development of patents and innovative technologies. Their commitment to scientific progress has earned them more than 25 projects from the European Research Council since 2009. Furthermore, 9 of them are Professors of the Catalan Institution for Advanced Research (ICREA), which offers permanent positions to researchers worldwide based on excellence criteria. We could not achieve our goals without the valuable work of our management staff, who work to facilitate the work of the research personnel, ensuring that the organizational structure is dynamic and efficient.

We have cutting-edge research facilities that enable us to conduct pioneering research. The ICIQ headquarters are in a functional building with a total area of 12,800 m². The facility is equipped with all modern safety devices and was constructed following the same sustainability principles that underpin the research carried out there. Some of the most notable features include minimal water and energy consumption, comprehensive laboratory management, and a modular design that allows for the reconfiguration of laboratory spaces to meet researchers’ needs. Additionally, ICIQ’s research support area has strategically organized facilities in 10 specialized units, each dedicated to a specific technique or a group of related techniques. In recent years, this area has acquired equipment such as the electron diffractometer for structural determination in nanocrystalline materials, which is unique in Europe.

At ICIQ, we collaborate with academic institutions, companies, and international research centres. Our innovations have had a significant impact on the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as on society in general. Since our founding in 2004, we have researched to create a positive impact through research and collaborations; a good example is the Technology and Knowledge Transfer Department, along with the industrial projects and spin-offs that have emerged from our research. Another pillar of ours is scientific education and outreach. We organize workshops, conferences, and activities to bring science closer to society and promote scientific vocations.

We are committed to training the next generation of scientists through our PhD and postdoctoral programmes. Since 2013, more than 250 doctoral theses have been defended, and we have contributed to the career development of professionals from around the world who hold prestigious positions in both industry and academia. Looking to the future, we will continue to drive innovation and scientific excellence to tackle global challenges and build a fairer, more equitable society.