Julia Baguna Torres

The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) is a public university that combines quality teaching, intensive research and a high level of employment with a strong social commitment, being a benchmark in these areas, as recognized by various global indicators. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, the UAM ranks among the 200 best universities in the world, it is the first Spanish institution and the third European university of the World’s Top 50 Universities under 50 years old and is among the 100 most prestigious universities in Europe. The UAM is also positioned as a leader in Teaching and Learning among the 77 institutions analyzed by the report of the Knowledge and Development Foundation (CYD). Its more than 30.000 students and 3.000 academic staff members are organised in seven Faculties (Sciences, Economics and Business Sciences, Law, Philosophy and Letters, Medicine, Psychology, and Teacher Training and Education) and an Engineering School for Computer Science and Telecommunications, with 65 departments, offering a wide range of programs in different scientific and technical fields and in humanities. Doctoral degrees can be studied in all the areas mentioned above. UAM is a university with a strong research focus: ten research institutes are located on campus, as well as the Madrid Science Park, with growing university-business collaboration. The collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in one of the first Campus of International Excellence in our country, has allowed it to create a privileged environment for research and teaching and to be a leader in Nanoscience, Advanced Materials and Life Sciences. In addition, the UAM is part of the CIVIS alliance, a European Civic University, one of the first pan-European campuses promoted by the European Commission (EC). The UAM participates through its researchers in more than 600 competitive research projects of different kinds and has signed 244 Grants in the Framework Program. At present the UAM is involved in more than 80 projects with EU funding and in seven projects from additional international funding sources. The University obtained 97 FP7 Program projects, 103 Horizon 2020 projects, 69 Horizon Europe, 133 MSCA, 22 ERC, 9 EIC (Source: Horizon Dashboard May 2025) The UAM has specialised experimental equipment and infrastructure owning research laboratories with technologically advanced instruments. Besides labs, the faculties and schools have many well-equipped lecture rooms, modern libraries. Research activity covers a wide range of disciplines, from Social and Educational Sciences and Humanities to the basic Sciences, Health Sciences and Engineering. Research in the UAM is also supported by the Interdepartamental Research Service (SIDI), the General Support Services for Experimental Research (SEGAINVEX) and the Scientific Computing Center (CCCUAM), which include experienced scientists and highly qualified technicians, as well as world-class instruments, technologies and laboratories, to support research in a wide range of areas. UAM was awarded the 'Human Resources Excellence in Research Award - HRS4R' and it is thus acknowledged for the commitment to fostering good working conditions and development for researchers at the institution. UAM has a Welcome Office for incoming international researchers to help them with all aspects of starting a new period of life in a new country: https://www.uam.es/uam/en/internacional/oficina-acogida-internacional Lastly, UAM is part of OPERA (Office for the Promotion of European Research Activities) a consortium of the four leading Spanish public Universities in Brussels aiming at supporting European research activities and increase the number of funded projects.