Aerospace Engineering Department Earns María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering Department at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has been awarded the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence accreditation in the 2025 call of the Spanish State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027. This distinction is widely regarded as one of the most relevant national recognitions of scientific excellence and international impact.

The award includes €2.25 million in funding and seven predoctoral contracts to support a four-year strategic research plan. Through this programme, the Spanish research system identifies and supports units that are already performing at a high international level and have clear potential to further strengthen their position.

Research Focus on Key Aerospace Challenges

The Department’s work will address some of the most pressing challenges facing the aerospace sector today. These include reducing the environmental impact of aviation, exploring alternative propulsion systems, improving the design and efficiency of aerospace vehicles, and advancing more sustainable air and space operations. Additional research lines will focus on digital twins and space debris mitigation, both increasingly relevant in current aerospace agendas.

“This accreditation is an important step in reinforcing the international position of the UC3M Aerospace Engineering Department in the field of sustainable aerospace science and technology,” said Stefano Discetti, Scientific Director of the Maria de Maerztu Unit. “It will allow us to continue attracting talent, deepen collaborations with leading institutions, and move forward in research areas that are critical for the future of aviation and space.”

A Singular Achievement Within the Spanish University System

The outcome of the 2025 call also highlights the significance of this recognition. Out of six María de Maeztu units awarded nationwide, only two correspond to university departments. With this result, UC3M becomes one of the very few universities in Spain with departments holding this distinction, adding the Aerospace Engineering Department to the previously accredited Economics Department. It is also the only public university in the Madrid region with two departmental units recognized as Units of Excellence.

“This recognition reflects the sustained effort of a young and highly competitive research team with a strong international orientation,” noted Óscar Flores Arias, current Director of the Department. “Beyond the funding, it gives us the opportunity to further develop our research capabilities, train new generations of researchers, and contribute to addressing major technological and environmental challenges.”

Eduardo Ahedo Galilea, the Department’s previous director, also underlined the broader impact of the award, pointing to its role in consolidating long-term research lines and strengthening the Department’s contribution to both science and industry.

A Strategy Built on Science, Technology and Innovation

The Department’s strategy is centered on the development of innovative and sustainable aerospace technologies, with digitalization and artificial intelligence acting as enabling tools across all research areas. The objective is not only to improve efficiency in design and operations, but also to contribute to cleaner propulsion and more sustainable aerospace systems overall.

This roadmap builds on the Department’s existing strengths and its position within key innovation environments, including the Madrid Region’s AI cluster hosted at UC3M and the recently created Center for Satellite Technology.

The plan is structured around three main pillars: aerospace science, aerospace technology, and aerospace innovation. Together, they will guide work on new aircraft and propulsion concepts, design optimization, digital twins, robust control, sustainable operations, and space technologies, while also addressing broader challenges related to energy, mobility and Earth observation.

Alongside these research priorities, the strategy includes specific actions to attract and retain talent, provide advanced training, promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and reinforce knowledge transfer to industry. The overall aim is to expand the Department’s scientific, social and industrial impact in Spain and across Europe.