The Institut de Història Jaume Vicens Vives (IUHJVV) was created in 1991 with the purpose to "promote research and organize postgraduate studies in the different fields of political, economic, and cultural history." In accordance with a university-wide reorganization, it was integrated into the Humanities Faculty as a "Specialized Research Centre" in 2015. It consists of a number of publically and privately funded research groups that specialize in diverse periods and cover various areas of the world. The IUHJVV and its groups organize seminars, symposia, and international congresses, and sponsor scholarly journals. It is housed on the second floor of the historic "Water Depository" building of the Ciutadella Campus. Its members teach on the Master's in World History and the Doctorate in History. Its mission is to:

• Foster innovative research among Universitat Pompeu Fabra faculty and graduate students.

• Facilitate the training of new generations of scholars and experts in history, while sponsoring life-long learning and outreach activities.

• Serve as a forum for vibrant discussions on history, forging links with scholars and institutions from around the world.

The IUHJVV carries the name of Jaume Vicens Vives (1910-1960), the patriarch of modern history in Catalonia, and houses a private collection of his manuscripts, letters, and drawings. Its founding director, Josep Fontana Lázaro oversaw the Institute for more than a decade, and continues to play an active role in its activities. His valuable donation of primary and secondary source documents form the nucleus of the library's collection.