Research in Materials Science and Engineering is strategic for the scientific and technological development. IMDEA-Materials is the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies of Materials created by the Regional Government of Madrid within the framework of IV Regional Plan for Scientific Research and Technological Innovation. IMDEA-Materials provides a new institutional framework that combines both public and private support to science and guides the research towards the market’s demand, encouraging the private sector to participate in the design of science.

The study about the industrial reality leads to the conclusion that the weak point of the Materials research in the region of Madrid (and generally in Spain) is the technology transfer to the industrial sector. This task –together with high quality research of international level- will be the identity sign of the new institute, which must contribute actively to improve the competitiveness of industry in the materials sector. Furthermore, the industrial collaboration will be essential to cover partially the institute expenses.