ICFO
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The Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO) is an independent, non-profit, research foundation established by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia, Spain), Department d'Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació, and by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. ICFO was started in March, 2002, with the intention of conducting in-depth basic and applied research in several branches of science and technologies related to light, at the highest international level.
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[edit] Branches
There are various branches of ICFO's work.
[edit] Research
The center aims to concentrate enough skilled labour to conduct cutting-edge, in-depth research ranging from information technology to biotechnology and even telecommunications. Remote sensing, quantum information, and industrial photonics are also covered in the foundation's work.
[edit] Education
The center offers staff the opportunity to obtain a PhD degree on optical sciences with a broad coverage of its basics and applications. The primary language in research and education is English.
[edit] Economic development and wealth generation
The center aims to be highly proactive in establishing working partnerships with commercial entities, and fostering spin-off companies managed by research members. The center participates in incubator activities and seeks to attract investment venture capital. At full capacity, the center can cater for 300 staff and will occupy approximately 8000 square meters.
ICFO is supported on a base funding basis by the founding institutions, and by competitive projects from national and international funding agencies and private institutions and enterprises. Part of the cost of the new building that hosts the Institute and the corresponding laboratory equipment is financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund program.