CSIC – Spanish National Research Council

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the largest public research performing organisation (RPO) in Spain, the fourth most relevant public institution in the European Union, and the sixth in the word1. Attached to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, with independent legal personality, the CSIC plays a key role in scientific and technological policy in Spain and around the world. Itsaimis “the promotion, coordination, development and dissemination of multidisciplinary scientific and technological research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and economic, social, and cultural development, as well as the training of personnel and advice to public and private entities in these fields”.

It has more than 13,000 employees, of whom 4,345 are research staff, distributed in 121 research institutes, of which 52 are co-owned with Spanish universities or research institutions. Additionally, it has three National Reference Centres (INIA, IGME, and IEO). They are all based in Spain, except the Spanish School of History and Archaeology which is established in Rome (Italy).

CSIC carries out research, innovation and training activities in all fields of knowledge – from the most basic or fundamental aspects of science to the most complex technological developments – distributed in three global areas: Life, Society, and Matter.