The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) is an applied economics research centre at the University of Barcelona. Its aim is promote, develop and disseminate economic research, placing particular emphasis on economic policy decisions.

The IEB was created in 2001 to continue the work carried out by the quality group on Fiscal Federalism and Regional Economy, accredited by the Generalitat (the Catalan Government), and the University of Barcelona. The creation of the IEB Foundation in 2008 represented an important boost for the IEB, as several private enterprises joined the project: “La Caixa”, Caixa de Catalunya, Gas Natural, Abertis and Applus. In 2008, too, the UB’s Chair in Fiscal Federalism was set up, thanks to the help of the Fundación ICO, the Instituto de Estudios Fiscales, and the Institut d’Estudis Autonòmics. This year, thanks to the sponsorship of ISDEFE (Ingenieria de Sistemas para la Defensa de España, S.A., Systems Engineering for the Defence of Spain) the IEB has been able to create a Chair in Markets and Industrial Policy.

The IEB currently has more than 40 staff members, including researchers and doctoral students. Its research is mainly carried out in the area of applied economics, especially in the areas of fiscal federalism, regional economics and public economics, with two research programs: Fiscal Federalism and Cities and Innovation.

The results of its members’ research can be found in specialist journals and in collections of working documents, in presentations at the IEB’s seminars, workshops and summer schools, and in applications for research grants. The IEB’s researchers also present their work at symposiums and in publications such as the reports on fiscal federalism.

The members of the IEB carry out studies in their areas of expertise for government institutions, providing guidance for economic decision-making.