The State Research Agency (AEI) is a Spanish a research funding agency responsible for the promotion of scientific and technical research in all areas of knowledge through the competitive and efficient allocation of public resources, the monitoring of actions financed and their impact, and advice on action planning or initiatives through which the R&D policies of the General State Administration are implemented.

[2] The structure of the State Research Agency is:[3] The president of the AEI is also the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, being the Agency integrated in the Ministry of Science of Spain.

The functions of the president are:[4] The director-general of the Agency is a civil servant appointed by the Minister of Science and Innovation.

The SG functions are:[6] The Secretary-General is responsible of the management of the horizontal services of the Agency, specifying in the following areas: Since its creation, four people have served has director: The “Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa” and “Unit of Excellence Maria de Maeztu” Award, within the subprogram of Institutional Strengthening of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation, aims to fund and accredit public research centers and units on any areas that demonstrate scientific leadership and impact at global level, as well as active collaboration in their social and business environment.

The evaluation and selection process is carried out by an independent international committee of scientists.