King Felipe VI advocated for state-level support and encouragement for scientists in their work for society during the National Research Awards 2025 ceremony in Barcelona on Monday. The monarch delivered his closing speech at the event, held at the Palau de Pedralbes.
The ceremony saw the attendance of several prominent figures, including the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, and the Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant. Also present were the Government Delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, and the Minister for Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat.
King Felipe VI described research as a way of looking at the world with curiosity, rigour, and freedom. He said it involves exploring the unknown with the conviction and humility that every question opens a path, and every answer, in turn, leads to new questions.
Barcelona's Role in Science
The King praised Barcelona as a "reference city in Spain and Europe," where science, culture, and industry engage in dialogue with a clear international focus. He acknowledged the Catalan inventor Narcís Monturiol, who designed the first modern submarine in the 19th century. One of the Spanish Navy's submarines now bears Monturiol's name.
He noted that Spanish science had previously "resisted more than advanced" but has grown significantly in recent decades. There is now broad social consensus on the value of research and innovation, he added.
"This is a time of deep transformations affecting security, energy, health, the natural environment, technology, and the organisation of our societies," King Felipe VI stated. "We need to know more and better, and we can do it faster, which also presents its own challenges."
Recognising Scientific Talent
The King highlighted the wide range of knowledge covered by the award recipients, from molecular biology to applied engineering. He said their talent is built on two main aspirations: to understand better and to serve society better.
The National Research Awards 2025 were presented to Andrés Aguilera (Biology), María Pau Ginebra (Engineering and Architecture), Ignacio de la Torre (Humanities), Josep Dalmau (Medicine and Health Sciences), Ana María Traveset (Natural Resources Sciences and Technologies), Juan García-Bellido (Physical Sciences of Materials and Earth), María del Carme Rovira (Chemical Science and Technology), Maria Soledad Martín (Knowledge Transfer), Nuria María Oliver (Mathematics and Information and Communication Technologies), and Montserrat Guillen (Law and Economic and Social Sciences).
Awards for Young Researchers
Additionally, the National Research Awards for Young Researchers were given to Arnau Sebé (Biology), Serí Abadal (Engineering and Architecture), Marta Sánchez de la Torre (Humanities), Melissa García (Medicine and Health Sciences), Marcos Fernández (Natural Resources Sciences and Technologies), María José Martínez (Physical Sciences of Materials and Earth), Jesús Campos (Chemical Science and Technology), Fernando Manuel Moreno (Knowledge Transfer), Jezabel Curbelo (Mathematics and Information and Communication Technologies), and Enrique Hernández (Law and Economic and Social Sciences).
