ICFO is a research center of excellence with research lines that encompass diverse areas in which photonics plays a decisive role. The institute was founded in 2002 by the Government of Catalonia and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). These institutions are members of its Board of Trustees along with the Cellex and Mir-Puig Foundations, philanthropic entities that have played a critical role in its advancement since 2007.
Theoretical and experimental scientists come together at ICFO and are currently organized in 26 research teams working in 80 state-of-the-art research laboratories, with an emphasis on basic and applied themes relevant to medicine and biology, advanced imaging techniques, information technologies and a range of environmental sensors, tunable and ultra-fast lasers, quantum science, photovoltaics and the properties and applications of nano-materials such as graphene, among others.
ICFO proactively fosters entrepreneurial activities and spin-off creation.
Excellence and recognition awards
- ICFO Is a CERCA institute and part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) scientific community
- The institute has been awarded three consecutive accreditations of the Severo Ochoa national program for top research excellence
- “Human Resources Excellence in Research” seal by the European Commission.
- ICFOnians have been awarded 16 elite ICREA Professorships as well as 50 European Research Council grants to date
- To date, ICFO has helped create 12 start-up companies
