Who we are
The CSIC’s leading environmental research institute, advancing science for a healthier planet and people.
The IDAEA
The Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) is the leading environmental research centre of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), recognised with the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation in 2019.
Dedicated to understanding and addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges, IDAEA investigates the interactions between environmental stressors, ecosystems and human health through a One Health approach, generating knowledge and solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Scientific expertise
Bringing together expertise in analytical chemistry, biology, toxicology, atmospheric sciences, hydrogeology, geology, environmental engineering and data science, IDAEA combines fundamental and applied research to understand environmental processes, assess emerging risks and develop innovative solutions for pollution prevention, sustainable resource management and environmental protection.
Its research encompasses contaminants of emerging concern, air quality, water systems, global change, biogeochemical processes, circular economy and advanced environmental monitoring and modelling.
National and International leadership
Science for Policy is at the heart of IDAEA’s mission. By working closely with public institutions, international organisations, industry and civil society, the institute translates scientific evidence into knowledge, technologies and decision-support tools that contribute to better policies and more informed environmental decision-making. IDAEA’s international leadership is reflected in its portfolio of competitive international research projects, participation in European Research Council (ERC) grants, and active contributions to international bodies such as UNEP, CEN and the IPCC, reinforcing its role as a leading reference centre for environmental science and policy support. Through excellence, interdisciplinarity and innovation, IDAEA helps address global environmental challenges while supporting the transition towards healthier ecosystems and more sustainable societies.
Mission, vision & values
Mission
We advance interdisciplinary research on environmental stressors, exposures, ecosystem processes and global change to generate knowledge and innovative solutions that support risk assessment, sustainable resource management and societal resilience. Through a One Health approach, we address interconnected challenges affecting environmental and human health.
Vision
We envision a resilient future where air, water and ecosystems are sustainably protected, environmental risks are anticipated and prevented, and the health of people and the planet is safeguarded through interdisciplinary, evidence-based research within a One Health–One Earth framework.
Core Values
Our work is guided by six core values:
We promote frontier, internationally competitive research to address major environmental and health challenges.
We conduct our research and institutional activities with integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical responsibility.
We foster collaboration across disciplines, sectors and international partnerships to tackle complex environmental challenges.
We advance science that supports environmental protection and societal resilience.
We foster an inclusive, respectful and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive.
We ensure that our research is accessible, openly shared and translated into knowledge, innovation and evidence that supports policymakers, stakeholders and society..
Key figures
312 total staff
€9.2M
96 PhD students
125 stays