Translation of MINECO Press Release. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain have received in the Zarzuela Palace the directors and representatives of 33 centres and units which have been accredited with the highest institutional recognition to the scientific research in Spain, the centres ‘Severo Ochoa’ and the units ‘María de Maeztu’. The event has been presented by the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, who has highlighted the importance of these centres for Spanish Science.

These honours are awarded since 2011 after a rigorous assessment process carried out by international scientific committees grouped into three areas: life sciences and medicine, experimental sciences, mathematics and engineering and social sciences and humanities. The accredited centres and unities stand out both for the international impact of their scientific contributions as for their innovative ability and strong relationship with the social and economic environment. Moreover, they are as well worldwide reference institutions able to attract international talent.

Since 2015 this accreditation was widened with a new modality addressed to research unities called ‘María de Maeztu’, with the aim of recognising the excellence in organized structures of research smaller than centres, mostly located in universities.