As an allusion to the number pi, today, as every 14th of March (3/14) since 2019, is the International Day of Mathematics. We are all aware of the importance of mathematical sciences as a tool to address challenges in artificial intelligence, climate change, energy and sustainable development, and improving the quality of life in both the developed and the developing worlds. But do you know WHO and WHERE do maths research? In this post, we highlight three Spanish ‘Severo Ochoa’ Excellence Centres working on this topic.

BCAM – Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (Bilbao)

The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) is a research centre on applied mathematics created with the support of the Basque Government and the University of the Basque Country. It aims to strengthen the Basque science and technology system by performing interdisciplinary research in the frontiers of mathematics and training and attracting talented scientists.

Embedded in a multicultural environment, BCAM provides the right atmosphere for research and promotes the creation of hard-working international and interdisciplinary teams.

In addition to the support of the Basque Government, BCAM can count on a solid network of international collaborators. This cooperation points towards worldwide reference organisations and scientists, promoting mobility and exchange of researchers, predoc and postdoctoral training tasks and the organisation of dissemination events and knowledge transfer.

The scientific program covers five research areas: Computational Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling with Multidisciplinary Applications, Mathematical Physics, Analysis of Partial Differential Equations and Data Science.

ICMAT – Institute of Mathematical Sciences (Madrid)

The Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas (ICMAT – Institute of Mathematical Sciences) is a mixed research center consisting of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – CSIC and three Madrid universities: the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM).

The ICMAT is a leading international centre known for its excellence in research, its internationally recognised pre and postdoctoral training courses, its promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, the organisation of events of worldwide impact and its commitment to outreach activities. It also counts with outstanding facilities for mathematical research and computing.

Its main objectives are to perform high-quality mathematical research, stimulate interdisciplinary research and explore new contexts for its use, serve as an interlocutor between the scientific community and other sectors, and disseminate the beauty and uses of mathematics.

Their research groups focus on Algebra and Geometry, Mathematical Analysis and Differential Equations, and Applied Mathematics. They also have many bilateral agreements with national and international research and academic institutions to stimulate the exchange of researchers, develop joint projects, and promote the access and shared use of research infrastructure.

CIMNE – International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (Barcelona)

The International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) is a research organisation created as a partnership between the Government of Catalonia and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) in cooperation with UNESCO.

Its aim is the development of numerical methods and computational techniques for advancing knowledge and technology in engineering and applied sciences. CIMNE is an international reference centre and leader in computational mechanics. 

The research and technology development (RTD) activities of CIMNE cover a broad spectrum of topics. The main areas of work at the centre are Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computational Materials Design & Analysis, Engineering Mechanics and Processes, Innovation Support and Technology Transfer, Innovative Algorithms and HPC Techniques, and Transport.

Over its history, CIMNE has participated in over 2,000 RTD projects in cooperation with some 500 companies, universities and research Centres worldwide.