Colciencias promotes public policies for the development of science, technology and innovation in Colombia. It is the main entity of public administration to formulate, guide, direct, coordinate, execute, and implement the State policy, in the fields of scientific research, technology and innovation of the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation – for its acronym in Spanish – SNCTeI, transformed into administrative department in 2009.  

Colciencias is constituted by three technical departments: Direction of Research Promotion, Direction of Technical Development and Innovation and Direction of Mentality and Culture. Colciencias also works with the cross-cutting area and initiatives through institutions as Colombia BIO, International Office, Scientific Ecosystem, and research infrastructures. The last one is an initiative of total importance from General Direction that will bring development of the country and improve the capabilities of the research institutions and development for Colombia.