IMEDEA has been accredited as a ‘María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence’ since 2023 (grant: CEX2021-001198). The Spanish National Research Agency (MICIU-AEI) awards this prestigious accreditation to research institutes with internationally renowned scientific leadership and the capacity to make a significant contribution to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and generating high-impact results.

Alongside a strategic programme to complement the institute’s current Strategic Plan, the accreditation is a significant opportunity to bolster IMEDEA’s capacities, strengthen its scientific leadership, enhance its international presence, and foster economic and social impact by promoting interdisciplinary science for the benefit of all life and the environment.

IMEDEA’s strategic research programme has identified the following goals for the next four years:

• Expanding and strengthening technical facilities for coastal studies
• Incorporating innovative techniques in the field of big data analysis
• Broadening available education in coastal and island systems
• Attracting and retaining scientific talent with innovative perspectives on how to tackle environmental challenges
• Promoting the international exchange of knowledge and ideas
• Strengthening our impact on society through local cooperation.

These efforts are driven by an overarching goal:

BEING A BENCHMARK CENTRE FOR STUDYING MEDITERRANEAN MARINE, COASTAL AND ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS.

Following accreditation, IMEDEA joined the Severo Ochoa Centres and María de Maeztu Units Excellence Alliance (SOMMa). SOMMa brings together Spain’s leading research institutes with a mission to foster excellence in Spanish research and enhance its national and global social impact.