Introduction
The Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST) was established in 1980 to drive the development of cutting-edge technologies, and undertake large-scale applied research. It also plays a key role in supporting researchers and innovators, fostering entrepreneurship, and commercializing research outcomes.
IROST currently comprises two main structures: the Institute of New Technologies and the Science and Technology Park, which are responsible for generating ideas and technical knowledge that lead to product development.
IROST’s scientific and research activities are carried out by seven top-tier departments: “Chemical Technologies,” “Electrical Engineering and Information Technology,” “Biotechnology,” “Agriculture,” “Technology Development Studies,” “Mechanical Engineering,” and “Advanced Materials and Renewable Energies.”
IROST’s Specialized Centers and Initiatives
IROST houses several specialized centers and initiatives that contribute to its diverse portfolio:
-- Science and Technology Park: The Science and Technology Park (STP) marks one of the organization’s most significant initiatives. The STP aims to attract and support national and international technology companies, fostering collaboration, exports, and national self-sufficiency. Today, the park hosts over 160 technology companies- more than 100 of which are knowledge-based and employs more than 2,000 researchers and experts. These scientific activities span approximately 100,000 square meters and cover a broad range of fields.
-- Museum of Iranian Lichens: The Museum of Iranian Lichens is a specialized scientific museum, the first in the country to receive an official establishment permit. The museum showcases extensive collections of lichen species from Iran and around the world.
-- Regional Center for Industrial Microorganisms of Iran: The Regional Center for Industrial Microorganisms of Iran houses a valuable collection of over 2,000 microbial samples, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and their derivatives, which are cultured and preserved. By isolating, collecting, and storing microbial samples from across the country, the center has created a unique biological resource for scientific research and industrial applications.
-- Khwarizmi Awards: One of IROST’s core missions is to foster scientific collaboration at the national, regional, and international levels by organizing Iran’s most prestigious and long-standing scientific awards in the fields of industry and technology. Established in 1987 at IROST, Khwarizmi Awards are held annually in three sections: International, Youth, and Technology and Innovation, attracting hundreds of inventors, innovators, and scientists from Iran and around the world.