Unique Science and Technology Infrastructure (ICTS) refers to large facilities, resources, equipment and services unique in their fields, which have the objective of offering a high-quality service, the development of top-quality cutting-edge research, as well as providing communication, exchange and preservation of knowledge, the transfer of technology, and promotion of innovation.
These infrastructures have a very high cost of investment, maintenance and operation, and are of strategic importance which justifies their availability for the entire R + D + I collective.
All the ICTS share three fundamental characteristics; they are infrastructures with public ownership, unique and open to competitive access.
The ICTS are distributed throughout the national territory and are included in what is called the "Map of Unique Science and Technology Infrastructures".