The University of Barcelona is leader in Spain regarding scientific performance according to the 2014 survey of Research and Knowledge Transfer

The survey of Research and Knowledge Transfer is a strategic tool to know about the state of research and knowledge transfer of the Universities and identify the best results within the university area at a national level. The 2014 edition, which includes results of 67 university centres, has information about 384 variables related to the University (research base, etc.), management resources of research and knowledge transfer, performance and research results and knowledge transfer, and launches of spin-off and start-up businesses.

The report warns that “the exit of the economic crisis in Spain is not taking into account the innovation based on research as one of their strategic components”. According to the survey, the value of the total expenditure on research of the Spanish Universities was of 3.187 million euros (specifically, 3.625 million euros in 2013). The report states that, although there has been a gradual decrease of staff in the universities, the research and knowledge transfer staff has slightly increased.

The grants obtained from public fundings in research in 2014 were for 876,5 million euros, a similar number to the previous activity. However, the funding obtained for competitive research is still 28% less than in 2010. Regarding funding origins, a 35% is recovered from the contribution of the State Administration compared to 2013, while the contribution of European Unionʼs programs declined by 38%. The scientific performance -journal articles indexed by the Web of Sciences or read thesis- is reduced due to funding cuts on research over the last years. However, it is a 36% higher than the one in 2011.

Further information can be read in this link.