The Institut d'Estudis Catalans created, in 1984, the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM), with the main goal to provide Catalan mathematicians with a research institute which could stimulate the improvement of mathematical research in Catalonia, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In 2002 the CRM has become a consortium formed by the Institut d'Estudis Catalans and the Catalan Government through its Department of Universities, Research and the Information Society.

To achieve its initial aim, the CRM invites outstanding mathematicians for research visits, facilitates scientific contacts between these visitors and our young local researchers, carries out research programmes, organises talks, conferences, advanced courses, seminars and other scientific meetings, and makes available research results through its publications.

The CRM is a member of ERCOM (European Reserach Centres on Mathematics), of EPDI (European Post-doctoral Institute for the Mathematical Sciences), and of ACER (Associació Catalana d'Entitats de Recerca).

On November 2000, the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica has been awarded the Narcís Monturiol Award of scientific and technological excellence.