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 Grisolía, 1st Marquess of Grisolía.

Until 2026, the medal consisted of three categories—gold, silver, and bronze—however, in April 2026 it was reformed and its categories unified, with there currently being only one gold category.

Grades and symbols After the reform made by Royal Decree 318/2026, of April 15, the medal consists of a unique gold category, with the following insignias:

Advisory Council 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 Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities and integrated by: the Ministry's Under-Secretary (who serves as deputy chair), the president of the Spanish National Research Council, four university rectors or former rectors, four relevant personalities in the university and research fields and a representative of each category of winners. A high-ranking civil servant of the Ministry of Science serves as the Council's secretary.

Any individual or organization, public or private, related to the university and science, may nominate a candidate.

Recipients +NameProfessionCategoryYear of concessionNotesSantiago Grisolía, 1st Marquess of Grisolíabiochemist Gold2010María Vallet-Regíinorganic chemistGold2019María Dolores Cabezudo Ibáñezfood chemist researcherGold2019Emilio LledóphilosopherGold2019Margarita Salas, 1st Marchioness of Canerobiochemist Gold2019PosthumouslySantos JuliáhistorianGold2019PosthumouslyMariano Esteban RodríguezvirologistSilver2020Luis Enjuanes SánchezvirologistSilver2020María José Alonsopharmacy researcherSilver2020

See also Orders, decorations, and medals of Spain

References