The Institute of Biomedical Research of Vigo (Spanish acronym IBIV) (http://www.ibivigo.org) has the goal of promoting basic, applied and translational research in the biomedical field. The main objective of the BIOCAPS project is to strengthen a national Institute of Excellence in Biomedical Research bringing together the needs of the health service and the scientific and technological offers, tackling the challenges of the society through biomedical research and innovation. All activities will be directed to this goal and to increase the critical mass and lines of research through the incorporation of senior scientists and equipment, collaborations with the leading research centers of Europe, and to develop technology transfer activities. The expected impacts of the BIOCAPS project will be: the increase of the quality and quantity of the research developed in the IBIV, a closer interaction between basic and applied researchers, and more innovation (patents licenced, protocols, etc.). IBIV will become a dynamic actor of the European Research Area (ERA), by creating a focused research core in a region which is considered highly strategic due to its socio-economic conditions.