UC3M Aerospace Engineering Department Receives María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering Department at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has officially received the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence accreditation at the award ceremony held by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the State Research Agency (AEI). The distinction was granted as part of the 2025 call of the Spanish State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027.

The accreditation recognizes the Department’s scientific excellence, international impact and long-term research strategy in sustainable aerospace science and technology. It is accompanied by €2.25 million in funding over four years and seven predoctoral contracts to support the implementation of its strategic research programme.

The award ceremony brought together representatives of the 16 newly accredited Severo Ochoa Centres and María de Maeztu Units of Excellence from across Spain. During the event, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, highlighted that this is the most ambitious edition of the programme to date and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening scientific excellence, talent and institutional leadership in research.

The UC3M Aerospace Engineering Department is one of only six research units nationwide to receive the María de Maeztu accreditation in the 2025 call and one of only two university departments selected. This recognition also makes UC3M the only public university in the Madrid region with two departments holding the María de Maeztu distinction, following the previous accreditation of its Department of Economics.

The Department’s four-year research strategy will focus on addressing key challenges in the aerospace sector, including sustainable aviation, advanced propulsion systems, aerospace vehicle design, digital twins, sustainable air and space operations, and space debris mitigation. The programme also includes initiatives to attract international talent, strengthen doctoral training, foster collaboration with industry, and enhance the societal impact of its research.

Receiving the María de Maeztu accreditation reinforces the Department’s position among Spain’s leading research institutions and provides a strong foundation for expanding its international collaborations and scientific leadership in the years ahead. Among the 16 Severo Ochoa Centres and María de Maeztu Units of Excellence accredited in the 2025 call, the UC3M Aerospace Engineering Department is also the only one led by an international Scientific Director, further reflecting its strong global outlook and commitment to attracting international talent.