The Medal of Merit in Research and University Education () is a Spanish decoration whose purpose is to reward those individuals or entities who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of university education and scientific and technical research.
This decoration was established in May 1980 by minister Luis González Seara, however, it was not until 19 November 2010, more than 30 years after the creation of the Medal, that the first medal was awarded. The first person to receive this honor was the biochemist Santiago GrisolÃÂa, 1st Marquess of GrisolÃÂa.
The medal is divided into three grades: gold, silver and bronze. All grades use the same symbols and insignias, described as follows:
An Advisory Council will be established to advise the science minister on whether or not to award a medal. This Council is chaired by the Ministry's Under-Secretary and integrated by: the president of the Spanish National Research Council, four university rectors, four relevant personalities in the university and research fields and a representative of each category of winners. The head of the Administrative Office of the Undersecretaiat acts as the Council's secretary.
Any individual or organization, public or private, related to the university and science, may nominate a candidate.