The Institut d’ Estudis Autonòmics (IEA) is a research institute focussed on the study of federalism and self-government. It was created in 1984 and has a twofold mission: to promote the study of legal and political issues related to the development of self-government and political decentralization within Spain and Catalonia, and of those related to the development of federalism in general; and to provide the Catalan Government and Parliament with legal advice on political and legal initiatives dealing with the development of self-government.

The IEA pursues its mission by:

• Issuing reports and briefings on domestic legislation that touches on any question related to the principles and development of self-government

• Promoting the publication of original works within its field of interest. See the IEA Publications

• Encouraging and funding research on its field of interest and contributing to the organization of conferences, working groups and workshops on key legal and political issues. See the IEA research activities

• Providing a documentation service specialized in the process of decentralization within Spain and in the development of self-government within Catalonia. See the IEA Documentary and Bibliographic Holdings

The Josep Maria Vilaseca i Marcet Award.

In 2005, the IEA created a biannual award, the Josep Maria Vilaseca i Marcet Award, to be given to the best original and non-published manuscript dealing with any aspect of federalism or political decentralization. The value of the award is 25 000€.

The 3^rd edition of the award will be called in 2009 and the deadline for submitting originals will be September 2010 (date still to be decided).

The international jury will soon meet to decide on the 2^nd Edition of the Award. Updated information will be published at the IEA web site.

IEA Visiting Researcher Grants: Call for 2009 Application Grants

International researchers from non-Spanish universities who wish to do a research stage in a Catalan university are invited to apply for the IEA's 2009 Visiting Researcher Grants.

The aim of the IEA's Visiting Researcher Grant is to integrate non-Spanish researchers into existing research projects led by research groups at Catalan universities. In this sense, candidates should first of all contact a Catalan research group and secure an invitation from its Director to participate in the project. Candidates should then submit to the IEA a research proposal which would contribute to the development of that project.

Proposals should be focussed on a subject linked to federalism or political decentralization from a legal, economics and/or social sciences perspective.

Although the 2009 Call for Applications is not yet open, potential candidates can obtain more information and the application form in our web page. The Call for Applications will officially be open by December 2008 and the deadline for submitting applications is the 17^th of February 2009.

The maximum amount of the grant is 9.000 €; all grants also include travel insurance.