The Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII) is a leading national and international institution in biomedical research and public health that carries out the following functions:
- Promotion of research for the protection and improvement of health, funding highly competitive and cutting-edge research through the Strategic Action in Health of the State R&D&I Plan.
- Organisation of research in the National Health System (NHS) through its recognised national centres, research institutes, foundations, networks, consortiums and scientific-technical service platforms.
- Management, development and provision of scientific and technical services for the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health, biological products and potentially dangerous products for public health.
- Provision of scientific and technical consultancy services to support decision-making in health technologies and health services in the NHS.
- Development of teaching programmes aimed at the entire National Health System and provision of health information and scientific documentation services.
The ISCIII is attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the General Secretariat for Research. It reports to the Ministry of Health for the activities it carries out in the areas of health, planning and health care and coordinates with the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for other applied research activities when they are transferred to the National Health System. All other activities are carried out under the authority of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.