History
ICFO was founded in 2002 by the Government of Catalonia and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), both of which are members of its board of trustees along with the Cellex and Mir-Puig Foundations, philanthropic entities that have played a critical role in the advancement of the institute since 2007.
ICFO rapidly grew in size, scope and reputation and is now considered one of the leading institutes in its area in the world.
Today the institute remains loyal to its founding triple mission: to conduct frontier research, train the next generation of scientists and technologists, and provide knowledge and technology transfer.
The Government of Catalonia and Technical University of Catalonia Barcelona Tech launch the center, with the mission to conduct wide-scope, basic and applied research at the highest international level in several branches of the Sciences and Technologies of Light.
ICFO moves from founding offices in Barcelona to a purpose built “Phase 1” facility of 5000m2, located in the Mediterranean Technology Park, in the seaside town of Castelldefels (Barcelona metropolitan area). It houses twenty research laboratories and a nanofabrication lab.
ICFO finishes construction of “Phase 2” building extension adding 5000 m² to existing facilities, including 25 new laboratories, new chemistry, biology and post-processing nanophotonics labs, a new auditorium and leisure and discussion space.
Fundació Privada CELLEX Barcelona provides a generous endowment for the CELLEX NEST project. The project includes a dedicated building which represents 3rd wing of the ICFO facilities as well as funding for young group leaders to conduct new lines of research.
The Fundació Privada CELLEX Barcelona donated to ICFO the CELLEX NEST Building, adding 4000m2 of state-of-the-art spaces and completing the ICFO facility. The new building contains unique formal and informal meeting areas, laboratories, and highly functional work areas. The official inauguration ceremony takes place within ICFO’s 10th Anniversary Celebration.
Several international rankings, including Mapping Scientific Excellence and Nature Index, placed ICFO as one of the highest quality research institutions world-wide in its area of research.
December 2015 marked the first ICFO Day which would become an annual community celebration in which ICFOnians from all groups, divisions and departments come together to share their work and interests.
Over 1000+ ICFOnians have at one point in their career, called ICFO home.
ICFO launches the official Alumni Network providing a platform and formal structure that allows ICFOnians to maintain common ties, supporting personal and professional relationships, as well as common interests and goals.
Over 60 laboratories
400+ professionals work at ICFO
50+ nationalities
26 research groups
AND GROWING…
Total citations for ICFO publications surpassed 100k. Not only are ICFOnians publishing in the most prestigious topical journals, this work is increasingly recognized by peers around the world.
ICFO launches its 11th spin-off company, with several new ventures incubating in the KTT Launchpad. The institute has a proven track-record of creating successful deep tech companies that bring the value of research “made at ICFO” directly to society.
Thanks to the generosity of the Mir-Puig Foundation, we completed a new expansion of our facilities. The spaces are located in a new building, adjacent to the original building, and include a new state-of-the-art nanofabrication laboratory that occupies an entire floor, new photonics and laboratory spaces and offices for researchers.