The Barcelona School of Economics has been distinguished as a Severo Ochoa
Center of Excellence by Spain’s State Research Agency.
The Severo Ochoa Research Excellence Accreditation recognizes and provides funding to research organizations that demonstrate scientific impact and leadership at the international level.
The Barcelona School of Economics has received this accreditation in all four editions of the program (2012-15, 2016-19, 2020-24, and 2025-2031).
For each edition, BSE submitted to a rigorous accreditation process that examined the research output of the entire BSE research community during the previous period.
Being named part of the selective group of research centers to obtain the Severo Ochoa accreditation is public recognition of the excellent standards in frontier research that are an integral part of the BSE academic community.
€5.75 million in funding to promote frontier research and support predoctoral study
Preferential access to the best research facilities
Improved access to other competitive calls
Flexibility to hire new researchers
Increased visibility and capacity for attracting sponsors
Accreditation Process
Evaluation by an independent selection committee composed of international researchers
Examination of research activities and human resources
Analysis of institutional outlook and projected results
BSE Research Initiatives Supported by the Severo Ochoa Program
Some of the research activities and programs at the Barcelona School of Economics that have received support from the Severo Ochoa Excellence Distinction are:
BSE Summer Forum
Every June, the BSE Affiliated Professors organize and participate in the Summer Forum, a multi-week conference consisting of dozens of workshops that attracts hundreds of researchers from around the globe to Barcelona to present their latest research.
The Research Recognition Program acknowledges BSE Affiliated Professors who have published research papers in a list of international economic journals of high impact within the last three years.
Calvó-Armengol International Prize in Economics Awarded every two years to a top researcher in Economics or social sciences who is not older than 40 years old for contributions to the theory and comprehension of the mechanisms of social interaction.
PhD Jamboree
Workshop organized by students in the PhD programs
Research Video Series
Highlights from projects and findings of BSE Affiliated Professors
Seed Grants
Seed Grants support the scientific development of our researchers, in particular the junior researchers among the BSE Affiliated Professors
Timeline
BSE was among the first eight institutions selected to receive the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation in its inaugural edition in 2012.
In every edition since then, BSE has continued to meet the Severo Ochoa Program’s exacting standards of excellence.
2025
BSE earns its fourth consecutive Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation. This time, the distinction comes with €5.75 million in funding.
BSE passes a thorough evaluation by an independent scientific committee and successfully obtains its second Severo Ochoa Research Excellence Accreditation, which provides €4 million for BSE research initiatives.
The first edition of the Severo Ochoa Excellence Program distinguishes BSE as one of the top eight international research centers in Spain. The award includes €4 million in research funding.
The Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation recognizes those institutions that are defining the global scientific debate. It is sponsored by Spain’s State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación – AEI).