ICMol is accredited for the third consecutive time as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence in the provisional resolution of the AEI

The Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia has been accredited, for the third consecutive time, as a ‘María de Maeztu’ Unit of Excellence in the provisional resolution of the CEX2024 call, published by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), which reports to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

ICMol is the only research center in the Valencian Community to receive this distinction, further strengthening its role as a national and international scientific benchmark in the fields of nanoscience and molecular materials. This accreditation is valid for four years and comes with funding of €2.25 million, which will be used to consolidate its scientific and management structure, attract young talent, boost internationalization, and reinforce its outreach, training, and technology transfer activities.

Since its foundation in 2000, ICMol has pioneered a research approach exclusively focused on the molecular aspects of nanoscience, with research lines ranging from the chemical design of materials with advanced functionalities to the development of their applications in strategic areas such as energy, environment, electronics, molecular spintronics, and health.

With an annual budget of nearly €14 million, 22% of which comes from European projects—ICMol has shown strong competitiveness at both national and international levels. Its scientific excellence at the European level is reflected in 17 European Research Council (ERC) grants, including Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, and Proof of Concept grants. In addition, the institute has significantly intensified its knowledge transfer activity over the past four years through a Business Innovation Scientific Unit (UCIE), funded by the Valencian Government, and through collaborations with companies such as Airbus, Power Electronics, Oxford PV, and Graphenano.

The institute’s director, Prof. Eugenio Coronado, has been a key figure in this development. He also serves as the Scientific Director of the European Institute of Molecular Magnetism since its foundation in 2008. Under his leadership, ICMol has maintained a strong commitment to exploring matter at the nanoscale to build a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. Prof. Coronado also acts as the national coordinator of the Complementary Plan on Advanced Materials, a strategic national collaboration initiative that promotes cutting-edge research in materials to address future technological and societal challenges.

This third María de Maeztu accreditation confirms that ICMol continues on the path of scientific excellence and encourages us to redouble our efforts to consolidate ourselves as a European benchmark center in molecular nanoscience, said Prof. Eugenio Coronado.

In addition to its research excellence, ICMol promotes advanced and specialized training, leading and coordinating inter-university master’s programs such as the Master in Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology, the Master in Advanced Materials, and the Erasmus Mundus Master in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling, as well as associated doctoral programs. It also organizes the European School on Molecular Nanoscience (ESMolNa), a flagship academic forum that gathers young researchers and international experts each year to discuss the latest developments in the field.

With a clear vision for the future, ICMol reaffirms its commitment to cutting-edge research and the application of molecular knowledge to build a more sustainable, intelligent, and connected world.