The impact of technology and innovation on competitiveness and economic development is a well known fact. The same could be said on the importance of a suitable science, technology and industry system to achieve a more efficient exploitation of resources.

The current Spanish Science, Technology and Industry System (CTE) was born after the promulgation of the so called “Science Law” in 1986. One of the goals of this law is the better coordination among the different actors in the system. So, the law most important impact is on the OPIs (Public Research Organizations), specially on those belonging to the National Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), and on the relationship between these and the private industry.

The Spanish Science, Technology and Industry System involves all institutions and public or private bodies devoted to research and development, as well as their use in productions, and to the development of rules, procedures and traditions on this subject.

More information on the Science and Technology System in Spain

The Science Law established also the National Plan for Scientific Research and Technological Development in order to support and coordinate the research activities pertaining to the Government, and created the Inter-Ministry Commission on Science and Technology (CICYT), as a planning, development and surveying organization for the National Plan.

The National Plan is then conceived as an integrating mechanism to mark the main goals for R&D during multi-year periods, and organise the actions leading to their achievement in programmes to be eventually developed by the different Ministries.

More information on the Spanish National Plan 2004-2004