For the first phase of the MaX-CSIC strategic program, the Institute of Integrative Systems Biology I2SysBio (joint UV-CSIC center) presented its self-assessment that was reviewed by two evaluators. In this first phase, the CSIC recognizes the effort towards excellence made by its research centers and has been surpassed by a total of 40 institutes. The distinction entails the allocation of 20,000 euros for the development of a scientific project proposal and an excellence plan.

The MaX-CSIC Project is an initiative to promote scientific excellence within the institution. To this end, a general self-assessment framework was launched, accessible and easy to use by all institutes. In 2023, the first ASPIRA-MaX CSIC distinctions of excellence were awarded to various centers that successfully participated in the project's pilot experience: the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Institute of Physical and Information Technologies (ITEFI-CSIC), the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC), the Institution Milà i Fontanals for Research in the Humanities (IMF-CSIC) and the Institute of Policies and Public Goods (IPP-CSIC).

A team of experts analyzed the leading research centers within the CSIC to determine the characteristics that define them. This has served to design a program that can be exported to other research centers that allows them to advance towards scientific excellence. The program includes, among other proposals, the granting of financial aid so that research centers can develop their own action plan. To achieve this, an itinerary is established that involves the allocation of resources and accreditations of excellence.

Thus, the scientific project and the excellence plan, prepared in the first phase, will be evaluated by internal and external committees. Passing the second phase will entail the granting of up to €300,000 for the implementation and development of the excellence plan. In addition, they will receive the ASPIRA-MaX Sagrario Martínez-Carrera seal of Excellence. The third and final phase will consist of the ex-post evaluation so that the centers that obtain a positive assessment receive the ASPIRA-MaX Margarita Comas seal of Excellence, maximum recognition for the effort towards scientific excellence granted by the presidency of the CSIC.

Each distinction bears the name of a researcher who has developed her career in one of the three scientific areas of the CSIC: Josefa Barba, a graduate in pharmacy and a doctor of science, developed a prolific career in the field of neurosciences and learning processes; Sagrario Martínez-Carrera, doctor in chemistry, worked in the Department of Crystallography of the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry today and is considered one of the exponents of Spanish science in the mid-20th century, and Margarita Comas, doctor in biology and writer, developed her scientific career in pedagogy, standing out for her work in the introduction of science teaching in Spain and the homologation of women and men in the academic space.