The Rovira i Virgili University (URV) is located 100 km south-west of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia and since its creation (1991) has opened centres in multiple locations with its main campuses in Tarragona, Reus, Tortosa and Vila-seca. The URV participates in the European Universities Initiative through Aurora Alliance Network. With 15,724 students in all areas of knowledge across 58 bachelor’s degrees, 58 master’s degrees (including 3 Erasmus Mundus) and 26 different doctoral programs (45% of whose students are international), the URV incorporates a teaching model articulated around five axes: innovation, internationalisation, employability, social commitment and transversal skills. The URV chooses a transparent, participatory and inclusive governance model, where its community feels involved in decision-making. The URV employs 2,559 academic and research staff (12% international and 58% part-time professionals) and 699 administrative and service staff. Its total regular budget is €135.2 million, which is complemented by a further €46.2 million obtained for competitive and non-competitive research projects and €7.1 million to carry out R&D projects and services for different companies. The impact of the URV’s scientific production is reflected by its 1,896 publications on the Scopus/Web of Science (2022), of which 50% were co-produced with international partners and by more than 150 doctoral theses defended each year. The special emphasis that the URV places on research allows it to play a leading role in the regional development and to act as a driving force for sustainable development and economic and social innovation, while supporting emerging research areas.