# 27 leading research institutes in Chile

Tamtam tracks 27 research institutes headquartered in Chile. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Their median headcount is 1,662. Half of them were founded in 1948 or later. The most common headquarters are Santiago (12).

This selection of large research institutes in Chile primarily comprises higher education institutions. They are mostly well-established universities, with several founded in the 19th century, such as Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (founded 1888), Universidad de Chile (founded 1842), and Universidad de Santiago de Chile (founded 1849). These institutions offer diverse undergraduate and graduate programs, foster research, and contribute to societal development. Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, for example, focuses on promoting comprehensive education and academic excellence globally.

A clear pattern among these organizations is their concentration in major Chilean cities. Santiago hosts several significant institutions, including Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Valparaíso is another key hub, with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Universidad de Playa Ancha located there, both dedicated to education and research across various fields.

🇨🇱 Chile · 27 companies · Updated Nov 11, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-chile) (uc.cl)<br>Higher education institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs, fostering research, international exchange, and societal development in Chile. | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 | 14,502 | 1888 |
| 2 | [Universidad de Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-chile) (uchile.cl)<br>The University of Chile, founded in 1842, is a public institution dedicated to generating, developing, integrating, and communicating knowledge in various areas | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 12,505 | 1842 |
| 3 | [Universidad de Santiago de Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-santiago-de-chile) (usach.cl)<br>A prestigious university in Chile, recognized for its accreditation, comprehensive programs, timely news coverage, and high scientific productivity | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 7,185 | 1849 |
| 4 | [Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-tecnica-federico-santa-maria) (usm.cl)<br>The company focuses on promoting comprehensive education and academic excellence globally through academic programs and partnerships with universities worldwide | Research Services | 🇨🇱 Valparaiso | 4,225 | 1926 |
| 5 | [Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-valparaiso) (pucv.cl)<br>A prestigious Chilean university offering excellent academic and professional education, cultivating knowledge in various fields, and promoting public service | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Valparaíso | 3,918 | 1928 |
| 6 | [Universidad de Talca](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-talca) (utalca.cl)<br>A leading public university in Chile with campuses in multiple cities, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Talca | 3,101 | 1981 |
| 7 | [Universidad de La Frontera](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-la-frontera) (ufro.cl)<br>A prestigious university in Chile's Araucanía region offering 37 undergraduate programs, with over 8,000 students and top national rankings | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Temuco | 2,887 | 1981 |
| 8 | [Universidad Católica de Temuco](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-catolica-de-temuco) (uct.cl)<br>The organization is dedicated to the integral development of individuals and the region by seeking truth, fostering social responsibility, and creating impactful knowledge | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Temuco | 2,195 |  |
| 9 | [Universidad Alberto Hurtado](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-alberto-hurtado) (uahurtado.cl)<br>The company aims to be the intellectual center of the nation, conducting research, planning, and promoting the common good of society and humanity | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 2,093 | 1997 |
| 10 | [Universidad de Playa Ancha](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-playa-ancha) (upla.cl)<br>A state institution dedicated to education and research in a variety of fields, offering technical, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs with a focus on quality and social impact | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Valparaíso | 2,014 | 1948 |
| 11 | [Universidad de Tarapacá](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-tarapaca) (uta.cl)<br>A higher education institution funded by the government, offering a variety of academic programs and research opportunities to the public | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Arica | 1,735 |  |
| 12 | [Universidad de Antofagasta](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-antofagasta) (uantof.cl)<br>Higher education institution located in the mining region of Antofagasta, Chile | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Antofagasta | 1,680 | 1981 |
| 13 | [Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-tecnologica-metropolitana) (utem.cl)<br>A state university focused on technological education, creating professionals with high academic abilities while promoting sustainable development in the country | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 1,678 |  |
| 14 | [Universidad Arturo Prat](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-arturo-prat) (unap.cl)<br>This university offers a variety of academic programs in fields such as business, health sciences, and engineering, focusing on research, teaching, and extension activities | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 | 1,662 | 1967 |
| 15 | [Centro de Estudios en Derecho Informático, Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/centro-de-estudios-en-derecho-informatico-facultad-de-derecho-universidad-de) (derecho.uchile.cl)<br>The Centre for Information Technology Law Studies focuses on the intersection of law and technology to promote innovation and human rights in the technological environment | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 1,293 | 1843 |
| 16 | [Instituto de Salud Pública](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/instituto-de-salud-publica) (ispch.cl)<br>The company is a public health institution in Chile, working to improve public health through scientific and technical services, reference, surveillance, authorization, and inspection | Utilities | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 1,122 | 1892 |
| 17 | [Universidad de Magallanes](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-magallanes) (umag.cl)<br>A regional Chilean university focused on advanced education, applied research in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Antarctica, and cultural engagement with the community | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Punta Arenas | 1,077 | 1961 |
| 18 | [IDIEM](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/idiem) (idiem.cl)<br>A Research and Development Center in Chile, specializing in testing and quality control for public works materials, offering engineering solutions with technical rigor | Construction | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 1,063 | 1898 |
| 19 | [FEN UCHILE](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fen-uchile) (fen.uchile.cl)<br>A leading faculty of economics and business since 1934, shaping professionals who drive Chile's public and private sectors with academic excellence and student diversity | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 912 | 1934 |
| 20 | [Universidad Diego Portales](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-diego-portales) (udp.cl)<br>The company's academic project is to train professionals with theoretical and practical expertise, committed to social, economic, and cultural development | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 588 | 1982 |
| 21 | [Facultad de Derecho Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/facultad-de-derecho-pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-chile) (derecho.uc.cl)<br>The company provides legal education with a focus on Christian principles, emphasizing service to society, research, and leadership in legal debates | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 554 | 1888 |
| 22 | [Dictuc](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/dictuc) (dictuc.cl)<br>A subsidiary of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile providing engineering solutions and services to meet the needs of the community through expert knowledge and innovation | Civil Engineering | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 407 | 1938 |
| 23 | [Universidad de Atacama](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universidad-de-atacama) (uda.cl)<br>A public and traditional university in Chile, part of the Consortium of State Universities and the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities | Higher Education | 🇨🇱 Copiapó | 407 | 1981 |
| 24 | [Instituto de Informática Educativa - Universidad de La Frontera](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/instituto-de-informatica-educativa-universidad-de-la-frontera) (iie.cl)<br>An interdisciplinary institute focused on innovation and research in educational technology, providing services in teaching, learning, training, and e-government | Research Services | 🇨🇱 Temuco | 186 | 1997 |
| 25 | [Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/advanced-center-for-electrical-and-electronic-engineering) (ac3e.usm.cl)<br>A research center focused on electrical engineering, creating knowledge, training talent, and developing technological innovations to benefit companies and society | Research Services | 🇨🇱 Valparaíso | 68 | 2014 |
| 26 | [Innovación Uandes](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/innovacion-uandes) (uandes.cl)<br>The company focuses on promoting technological transfer and knowledge application for the benefit of society and the country's economic development | Research Services | 🇨🇱 Santiago | 9 |  |
| 27 | [Wageningen UR Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wageningen-ur-chile) (wur.cl)<br>An International Centre of Excellence collaborating with the Chilean food industry to create customized solutions based on expertise and market interaction | Research Services | 🇨🇱 | 2 |  |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 11, 2026.

## More company lists in Chile

- [The largest companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-chile) (1,457)
- [Multinational companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-chile) (279)
- [Retail chains in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-chile) (174)
- [Critical infrastructure operators in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/critical-infrastructure-operators-chile) (165)
- [Education providers in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-companies-chile) (132)
- [Healthcare providers in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/healthcare-providers-chile) (113)
- [Manufacturers in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/manufacturers-chile) (102)
- [Public sector organisations in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/public-sector-organisations-chile) (96)
- [Distributors and wholesalers in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/distributors-and-wholesalers-chile) (82)
- [Corporate groups and holding companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/holding-companies-chile) (79)
- [Financial services firms in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-chile) (78)
- [Professional services firms in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/professional-services-firms-chile) (74)
- [Construction companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/construction-companies-chile) (73)
- [E-commerce companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-chile) (69)
- [Higher Education companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/higher-education-companies-chile) (69)
- [Government Administration companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/government-administration-companies-chile) (68)
- [Food and beverage companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/food-and-beverage-companies-chile) (66)
- [Mining companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/mining-companies-chile) (63)
- [Hospitals and Health Care companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitals-and-health-care-companies-chile) (58)
- [Companies with a mobile app in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-chile) (56)
- [Food and Beverage Services companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/food-and-beverage-services-companies-chile) (56)
- [Financial Services companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-companies-chile) (54)
- [Consulting firms in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/consulting-firms-chile) (51)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in Chile](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-chile) (51)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-chile