Asturias hosts a dynamic and robust scientific-technological ecosystem that brings together public and private organizations driving regional R&D+i. The programs launched by the Regional Administration have directly boosted public-private collaboration, forming consortia that deliver tangible social impact through targeted initiatives and projects.
In the public sphere, the Regional Administration of the Principality of Asturias and affiliated institutions play a central role within the science and innovation system, coordinating and sustaining the core functions that propel research and development. These bodies, aligned with national policy, help ensure consistent support for SCTI through strategic planning, funding, and governance structures.
The Government of the Principality of Asturias, principally via the Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, allocates resources to back R&D policies, designs and updates strategic plans, and establishes the legal and regulatory framework. Shared competencies with the Spanish Government are leveraged to streamline mechanisms that accelerate SCTI growth and investment.
Within the regional innovation fabric, Asturias benefits from key intermediaries that influence the production network and act as drivers of economic progress. Science and innovation serve as levers for change, helping to modernize enterprises and spur regional development.
Leading entities include the Economic Development Institute of the Principality of Asturias (IDEPA), which supports commercial R+D+i, and the Foundation for the Promotion of Applied Scientific Research in Asturias (FICYT), which strengthens university-industry links through science programs. These institutions help bridge academic insight with market needs, fostering practical impact.
Additionally, the Asturias European Center for Business and Innovation (CEEI Asturias) implements Science, Innovation and University programs to bolster innovative entrepreneurs, especially those driving technology-based projects. The Information Transfer Office of Asturias coordinates knowledge sharing and collaboration across the ecosystem.
With strategic guidance from CEEI Asturias and financial backing from IDEPA through EBT subsidies, and with participatory loans from the Regional Promotion Association and guarantees from ASTURGAR, Asturias has established itself as an attractive location for innovation-driven, technology-based installations. SMEs benefit from this supportive environment, gaining access to resources that reduce risk and accelerate growth.
In the era of digital transformation, the neutral telecommunications operator GITPA participates in advancing government initiatives and expanding digital connectivity across the region.
Within the General Administration of the Principality, several other directorates carry sector-specific mandates to nurture SCTI development in their respective areas. This work is coordinated through the Interdepartmental Research, Technological Development, and Innovation Commission, ensuring cross-cutting governance and collaboration.
The Asturian Energy Foundation (FAEN), the Asturian Water Consortium (CADASA), and the Asturian Waste Management Company (COGERSA) — along with foundations such as the Barredo Foundation and the Public Health Service of the Principality (SESPA) — conduct R+D+i projects focused on advanced and sustainable materials. Their efforts broaden the research footprint across multiple sectors and foster practical innovation.
On the public side, the University of Oviedo stands out for its teaching and research workforce of more than 2,000 staff across 38 departments. These teams collaborate in research groups and a broader network of centers and institutes that advance scientific inquiry.
The University of Oviedo contributes significantly to Asturia’s R+D+i, drawing substantial support from national funds and regional competitive calls. This funding environment sustains research activity and enables collaboration with SESPA and other public health entities, including the Asturias Foundation for Biosanitary Research and Innovation (FINBA) and related national research bodies. Mixed-ownership centers with CSIC and the regional government, such as the Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN) and the Biodiversity Mixed Research Institute (IMIB), enhance the ecosystem with cross-institutional projects.
Public research institutions and joint centers continue to advance specialized research across varied sectors, reinforcing Asturias as a hub for high-impact R+D+i activities. Technology centers, in particular, provide advanced services and essential support to SMEs, enabling a steady stream of R+D+i projects that align with regional industry priorities and growth goals.