IMDEA Nanociencia is a non-profit Foundation established in 2006 by the Regional Government of Madrid with the financial support of the European Investment Bank and the backing of EU Structural and Social Funds. At the end of 2007, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education joined forces with the Regional Administration through an Official Agreement of Cooperation adding additional public support to the initiative.
The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees with representatives from the regional and national governments, universities (UAM; UCM; UPM) and CSIC, private companies, foreign scientists and experts in societal implications and industrial technology development.
The Board of Trustees defined the mission of the Institute: i) attract talent in strategic areas related to nanoscience, ii) carry out research of excellence, and iii) develop a new model of technology transfer based on the incorporation of the strategic needs of industry to the definition and financial support of the research lines