The University of Oviedo is the main driving force behind research in Asturias. It carries out 80% of R&D&I in Asturias and has cutting-edge services and equipment to facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the productive fabric. The direct and indirect income derived from scientific production is estimated at around 40 million euros per year and it has more than 500 contracts and/or agreements with companies to develop research and knowledge transfer projects.

The Asturian university institution also leads two clusters specialising in Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and in Biomedicine and Health, which are closely connected with the regional technology parks and the Asturian public health network. A third cluster, focused on Social Sciences and Humanities, aims to boost the important research carried out in these areas traditionally with less public visibility, thus overcoming the concept of white coat research.

Nearly 2,000 people are dedicated to research at the University of Oviedo and work in 173 accredited groups, with an increasing presence of women in their management.

Nearly 2,000 people are dedicated to research at the University of Oviedo and work in 173 accredited groups, with an increasing presence of women in their management. The number of recognised research groups is constantly growing and has increased from 21 in 2010 to 173 this year. The areas of knowledge with the highest number of groups are Physical and Analytical Chemistry (11), Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Systems Engineering (10), Computer Science (9), and Psychology (9).

The University of Oviedo also has specific research support structures. These are institutes and centres with a wide variety of subjects, ranging from space technologies to neurosciences, biotechnology, and oncology. These institutes allow research staff to share resources and equipment.

Research institutes

• Institute of Space Sciences and Technologies of Asturias (ICTEA)
• Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA)
• Feijoo Institute of 18th Century Studies (Instituto Feijoo de Estudios del Siglo XVIII)
• University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA)
• University Institute of Enterprise (IUDE)
• University Institute of Oncology (IUOPA)
• Enrique Moles University Institute of Organometallic Chemistry (IUQOEM)
• University Institute of Industrial Technology of Asturias (IUTA)

Other centres

• Centre for Territorial Cooperation and Development (CeCodet)
• Centre for Artificial Intelligence
• Institute of Natural Resources and Territorial Planning (INDUROT)
• Martínez Marina Constitutional History Seminar

Centres and Institutes affiliated to and in collaboration with other bodies

• Joint Centre for Research in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (CINN)
• Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research (Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad)
• Fernández Vega University Institute (IUFV)

The academic institution, aware that one of its best calling cards is its researchers, has its own aid plan that opens the way for young researchers and supports the most talented emerging initiatives. In addition, the programme promotes the internationalisation of research carried out in Asturias and tries to attract the most talented scientists from abroad. The quality of the research carried out at the university has been endorsed by the regional, national, and European administrations.