[I + D + i: from research to management]

The project of the European Commission Towards a European Space of Research, presented in the year 2000, aims at increasing the impact on R+ D and defining the scientific policy for Europe. The materialization of this project implies commitment and support from member States, the coordination of research activities between each one of them, and the development of modern management systems and methods. In Spain, R+ D + i activities include (regional, national, and international) Programs, Plans, and Actions on R + D and the participation in relevant Contracts with enterprises, the Administration, or both. In this setting, several general aspects of the National Plan on R + D + i (2004-2007) and of the 7th European Framework Program of the EU are presented and some issues on biomedical research, the role of universities in scientific production, the relevance of knowledge as a significant resource, and the need of managing the latter as a source of competitive advantage are commented.