Energy Technologies, Environmental Science, Advanced Materials
CIEMAT, the Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, is a public research body in Spain focused mainly on energy and the environment. It took its present name in 1986 and succeeded the Junta de Energía Nuclear (JEN), the body that had led Spanish nuclear research since 1951, and it broadened that mission to cover alternative energy sources and the environmental impact of energy production.
CIEMAT is attached to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and has about 1,300 staff. Its headquarters are in the Moncloa area of Madrid, and other sites include the Plataforma Solar de Almería in Andalusia and the renewable energy centre CEDER in Soria. Work includes renewable energy, nuclear fusion, nuclear fission and fossil fuels, together with their environmental effects.
Besides applied programmes, the centre carries out basic research in areas such as high-energy physics and biology. It works with universities, companies and other research institutions to transfer knowledge and technology. As a research agency it is not a degree-awarding university. Information on collaboration, internships and open calls is published on its website.
Domains taught:
Astroscience, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Metrology, Nanotechnologies, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Software Engineering, Statistics, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Diploma, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Extensive national and international collaborations with universities, research centers, and industry. Key player in European research programs (e.g., Euratom, Horizon Europe). Offers specialized training courses and hosts doctoral students.
Research:
Leading research in fusion energy, solar energy (thermal and photovoltaic), wind energy, nuclear fission (safety, waste), environmental radioactivity, particle physics, advanced materials, and biomedical applications of radiation.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1300
Current students***:
100
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
1000
Pros
Major public research organization with cutting-edge facilities and projects in strategic areas of energy and environment. Excellent for specialized research and training.
Cons
Primarily a research institution; degrees typically awarded by collaborating universities.
Best For
PhD students and researchers focused on advanced energy technologies, environmental science, or related technological fields.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas is the national multidisciplinary public research council based in Madrid, covering science and technology broadly, so it is the nearest peer in type.
Instituto de Física de Altas Energías in Bellaterra is a public institute for particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, matching the high-energy physics side of CIEMAT's research.
Instituto de Salud Carlos III is a public research body in Madrid for biomedical research, public health and epidemiology.
Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial in Torrejón de Ardoz is a public institute for aerospace technology and space systems, another state-run technological research centre near Madrid.
Donostia International Physics Center in San Sebastián is a public centre for condensed matter physics, materials science and nanoscience.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
IFP Énergies nouvelles in France is a public research and training body for energy technologies and geosciences for energy, close to CIEMAT's energy focus.
Mines Paris - PSL is a public French engineering school with energy engineering and materials science among its fields.
Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland is a public research institute for materials science, energy research and life sciences.
Empa - Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt in Switzerland is a public research institute for materials science, nanotechnology and the sustainable built environment.
Universität Kassel in Germany is a public university offering environmental engineering and nanoscience, an academic counterpart in energy and environment.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What is CIEMAT?
It is a Spanish public research organisation specialising in energy, the environment and related technologies. It belongs to the state research system under the science ministry.
When did CIEMAT take its present name?
In 1986. Before that, the Junta de Energía Nuclear, in existence since 1951, carried out Spain's nuclear research.
Where are its sites?
The main site is in Madrid, in the Moncloa area. Other locations include the Plataforma Solar de Almería in Andalusia and the CEDER centre in Soria.
What does it research?
Its programmes cover renewable energy, nuclear fusion, nuclear fission and fossil fuels, and the environmental impact of each. It also pursues basic research in high-energy physics and biology.
How many people work there?
The institution has about 1,300 staff, working in several technical areas and in different locations. Exact figures change from year to year.
Can students study at CIEMAT?
It is not a university and does not award general degrees, so degrees are obtained at universities. Students and young researchers can check its website for internships and open calls.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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