The Centers of Excellence Severo Ochoa and Units of Excellence Maria de Maeztu are "organizational structures with highly competitive strategic research programmes in the frontiers of knowledge. They are among the best in the world in their respective scientific areas" (see details at the website of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness).

In addition to the individual recognition, several initiatives are promoted to bind them together to promote an increased interchange of knowledge. DTIC-UPF actively participates in them, representing top-research carried out at universities, as well as promoting the transversal role that ICTs have across disciplines. Some of the actions:

• Alliance of Severo Ochoa Centers and María de Maeztu Units: SOMMA

• Industry backs the petition of SOMMA members (details)

• SOMMa Position Paper: Actions required to safeguarding science competitiveness:  (report in Spanish, additional information in English here)

• 100xCiencia.2: Co-creating value in scientific research. The event, taking place in Alicante on November 2nd and 3rd 2017, is the meeting of the Spanish Centers and Units of Excellence with the private sector and other stakeholders involved in knowledge and technology transfer. The keynote speakers include Nuria Oliver, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of DTIC-UPF.

• SO / MdM meeting on March 1st 2016 at UPF (UPF news in Spanish & Catalan), linked to the presentation of the Spanish State Research Agency
• Meeting of SO / MdM centers with the King and Queen of Spain, 2016 (UPF news)