Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes - Spanish National Research Council (CEAB-CSIC)

The Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB) is one of the 121 research institutes of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. Of the approximately 15.000 professionals that comprise the CSIC, more than 150 are at the CEAB, including research, technical, research support, and administrative staff. The Centre, founded in 1985 with the support of prominent scientists such as Joan Oró and Ramon Margalef, is located in the southern Costa Brava, on a small hill, between the beach and the village of Blanes. It is located near, almost equidistant, to two major cities: Barcelona (60 km away) and Girona (40 km away). It is the only CSIC centre in the province of Girona, but is situated near other similar research centres (e.g., Institute for Water Research in Girona city, Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Centre close to Barcelona, and Marine Science Institute in Barcelona).

The general aim of CEAB’s research is to advance fundamental knowledge in aquatic ecology, and is differentiated from other research centres in that CEAB’s researchers conduct studies in high mountain lakes, headwater streams, lowland rivers, wetlands and marine ecosystems. Researchers at CEAB are mostly ecologists but use a wide variety of scientific approaches and methods, which represents another unique element of the centre: its multidisciplinary character.

The CEAB is a leading, internationally renowned scientific research centre in the fields of marine and freshwater aquatic biology and ecology, as well as in theoretical ecology. We use a wide range of methodological approaches, from field observation and experimentation to modelling and advanced computing. We contribute scientific knowledge and promote its application for the health and conservation of ecosystems, in order to address the current and future challenges of global change.

As for funding, we have a fixed budget for running the center (public funds from the CSIC, which depends on the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities). Research resources are obtained by participating in calls for proposals from national, European and international public entities, as well as from private foundations or other private sector organizations.