The University of Barcelona (UB) is Spain’s leading research university, publishing more research than any other Spanish institution with the exception of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (Third European Report on Science and Technology Indicators).

The guidelines for research policy are drawn up by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research. Research activities are managed by the UB office Research Management (OGR), which is in charge of national research programs, the UB office International Research Projects (OPIR), which is responsible for European projects, and the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG), which oversees knowledge transfer and relations with the business sector. The Science and Technology Centres (CCiTUB) are a group of UB centres that support research both in the university and in other public and private institutions.