Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities performs, in general, the following functions:

• The direction and development of policies in the field of science, innovation and universities.
• The design, planning and direction of the policy of scholarships and study grants in science, innovation and universities.
• The promotion and coordination of relations with the Autonomous Communities, universities and local entities in the field of science, innovation and universities.
• The elaboration of proposals for general provisions in matters within its competence, as well as relations and consultations with the Autonomous Communities, the universities and the legal and physical persons concerned during its processing.
• Own functions as a National Authority linked to the Erasmus+ programme.
• The management of Operational Programmes co-financed by European funds in the field of science, innovation and universities.
• The strategic direction of the State Research Agency.
• The promotion of policies of equality, non-discrimination and universal accessibility, promotion of actions and activities to know the situation of women with respect to that of men and the effect of public policies implemented that affect women researchers, technologists or scientists in relation to their development, implementation and impact, as well as the promotion of the participation of women in the field of science, innovation and universities.
• The directorate of international relations, follow-up of the actions of the European Union and definition of international cooperation programs in the field of science, innovation and universities.
• Cooperation with the Autonomous Communities and Local Entities in science, innovation and university policy.
• Relations and coordination with the collegiate bodies under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
• The promotion of the European Space of Higher Education and the Ibero-American Space of Knowledge, in coordination with the Autonomous Agency of the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE).
• Coordination, promotion and follow-up of international cooperation and international relations.
• Competencies in international treaties, international administrative agreements, non-normative agreements and advice on Spanish participation in international bodies in higher education matters.
• The coordination of actions in the field of higher university education.
• The coordination of Spanish participation in the elaboration and monitoring of European policies in the field of R+D+I and knowledge transfer.
• The coordination of the international activity of the territorial Public Administrations in the field of external educational university action.
• International cooperation, knowledge transfer, coordination of the Spanish position in international forums and proposal for the appointment of those who will represent Spain in international research bodies.
• Administrative support to the Observatory “Women, Science and Innovation”.

This Secretariat of State is composed of the following governing bodies:

• General Secretariat of Research.
• General Secretariat of Universities.
• General Secretariat for Innovation.
• PERTE Commissioner for State of the Art Health.
• General Directorate of Planning, Coordination and Knowledge Transfer.
• General Subdirectorate of Institutional Relations and International Coordination.

The following are attached to this Secretariat of State:

• State Agency for Research (AEI).
• Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).

Secretary of State: D. Juan Cruz Cigudosa.