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Strategy

The working culture of the IMDEA Institutes focuses on scientific excellence; which is what enables them to fulfill their fundamental purpose: making science that is useful for the society, fulfills its needs, and improves welfare.

The foundations managing the IMDEA Institutes support an R+D+i model grounded on three basic pillars: researchers, public Administrations, and businesses.

According to their charters, their Boards of Trustees are made up of representatives from the Public Administrations, universities and other research centers; “scientists of international renown in subject matters related to the purposes of the foundation»; and representatives of «companies that are directly or indirectly linked to the industries related to the purpose of the foundation».

The mission of the IMDEA Institutes is the promotion of R+D+i activities and the creation of an efficient model for the transfer of technology to the productive sector. 

To fulfill their mission, the IMDEA Institutes must:

  • develop own, excellent and globally recognized science and technology;
  • recruit and train excellent human capital;
  • deepen their connections with the business fabric throughout all the phases of the knowledge generation process;
  • and facilitate inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Businesses have taken part from the outset in the design, the definition of objectives and the follow-up of the results of the IMDEA Institutes, by:

  • analyzing their potential from the scientific, economic, entrepreneurial and social points of view;
  • taking part in the Boards of Trustees of the IMDEA foundations created, and
  • collaborating in different ways, such as entering into agreements and joining research groups.

All the above makes them more competitive and enables them to develop their own technology.

The IMDEA Institutes were created around seven strategic areas for the society of Madrid: water, nutrition, energy, materials, nanoscience, networks and software. 

In the foundations managing the IMDEA Institutes, collaboration among European, national and regional administrations is essential, since they share investments in their implementation and ongoing operation.

There are examples of this cooperation in the agreements signed by the Madrid Community regional government with:

  • the European Bank of Investments, and
  • the Ministry of Science and Innovation, (currently the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO))

to cover the costs of construction, equipment and operation of the IMDEA Institutes.