Ministry of Science (Spain)

Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades

Headquarters of the Ministry of Science
Agency overview
FormedApril 5, 1979 (1979-04-05) (as Ministry of Universities and Research)
Preceding agencies
TypeMinistry
JurisdictionGovernment of Spain
HeadquartersPaseo de la Castellana, 162
Madrid, Spain
Employees23,475 (2023)
Annual budget 7.7 billion, 2023
Minister responsible
Agency executives
WebsiteMinistry of Science (in spanish)

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) is the department of the Government of Spain responsible for developing and implementing the government policy on scientific research, technological development and innovation in all sectors. In particular, MICIU is responsible for the exercise of research, technological development and innovation competencies in space matters, including representation and participation in European Union and International organizations. It is also responsible for the university policy.

MICIU is headed by the Minister of Science, who is appointed by the Monarch at request of the Prime Minister. The Minister is assisted by five main officials, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, the Secretary-General for Research, the Secretary-General for Universities, the Secretary-General for Innovation and the Ministry's Under-Secretary. The current Minister is Diana Morant.

The first predecessor of this ministry was established during the regency of Maria Christina of Austria with the creation of the Ministry of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, formed by Royal Decree of the April 18, 1900. The first minister was Antonio García Alix. This ministry included an area for the "promotion of science".