The Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation[3] (Spanish: Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación) is the Ministry of State of Chile in charge of structuring, promoting, coordinating and promoting science, humanities and technological development activities in all their stages, to contribute to the sustainable development and social welfare of the country.

[18] After the announcement of the promulgation of the law that creates the ministry, there were many public comments about who could be the new minister of the portfolio; Among the most mentioned names were Hernán Cheyre, director of entrepreneurship at the Universidad del Desarrollo, Álvaro Fischer, member of the National Council of Innovation for Development, Mónica Rubio, Chilean astronomer at the University of Chile, and Mario Hamuy, president of CONICYT.

[22] According to what is dictated by the law that creates the ministry, its main job is to advise and collaborate with the President of the Republic in the drafting and application of policies, plans and programs that promote and strengthen science, technology and innovation that arises from research, with the purpose of contributing to national development, strengthening cultural, educational, social and economic heritage at various territorial scales.

In addition, the ministry must seek methods to coordinate national regulations that promote research as well as to incorporate the knowledge generated by scientific-technological innovation in the development of public policies and public-private initiatives.

[23] On the other hand, it is also responsible for fostering the creation of infrastructure and institutions, the training of professionals and their insertion in the public and/or private environment, fostering the publication and linking of ongoing research with the environment, promoting the formation of scientific culture as well as its assessment and communication, promoting equitable gender participation, taking charge of international treaties, spatial research and development, preservation of the national scientific and technological heritage, among others.