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Top 34 research institutes in Colombia

Tamtam tracks 34 research institutes headquartered in Colombia. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad de Antioquia and Universidad de Los Andes. Their median headcount is 1,111. Half of them were founded in 1962 or later. The most common headquarters are Bogotá (11), Medellín (7) and Cali (2).

🇨🇴 Colombia34 companiesUpdated Nov 12, 2026

This selection of research institutes in Colombia mainly comprises large universities. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad de Antioquia, and Universidad de Los Andes are among the largest, with employee counts reaching over 8,000. Other significant institutions include Universidad EAFIT, focused on academic excellence and research, and Universidad de La Sabana, a private institution with a Christian worldview. A common pattern is that most of these organizations are established universities, some with founding dates in the 19th century.

The list is dominated by higher education institutions, though it also features specialized research entities. AGROSAVIA, for example, is dedicated to agrarian research, while CIAT focuses on agricultural biodiversity and food systems. The headquarters locations show a concentration in major cities such as Bogotá and Medellín, with several institutions also found in other regional centers like Cali and Pereira.

#CompanyIndustryHeadquarters EmployeesFounded
1
Universidad Nacional de Colombiaunal.edu.co

Public autonomous university promoting higher education, research, arts, and national identity through nine campuses across Colombia.

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 14,660 1867
2
Universidad de Antioquiaudea.edu.co

Public state university providing high-quality higher education, research, and community outreach across multiple campuses in Antioquia, Colombia.

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Medellín 10,625 1803
3
Universidad de Los Andesuniandes.edu.co

Private university in Bogotá offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs across nine schools including sciences, humanities, law, and medicine.

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 8,560 1948
4
Universidad EAFITeafit.edu.co

A higher education institution focused on academic excellence, international competence, and scientific research in partnership with industry, government, and academia

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Medellín 4,343 1960
5
Universidad de La Sabanaunisabana.edu.co

A private institution of higher education focused on cultivating excellent professionals and individuals, inspired by a Christian worldview and dedicated to truth-seeking

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Chía 4,102 1979
6
Universidad Pontificia Bolivarianaportal.upb.edu.co

A non-profit private higher education institution recognized by the Colombian state, focused on integrating knowledge with Christian humanism values since 1936

Education Administration Programs 🇨🇴 Medellín 3,939 1936
7
Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldasudistrital.edu.co

A public university in Bogotá, Colombia, known for its cultural and scientific heritage, providing education to students in various fields

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 3,175 1948
8
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereirautp.edu.co

A leading Colombian public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across various faculties, with a diverse student body and flexible class schedules

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Universidad 3,140 1961
9
Universidad Militar Nueva Granadaumng.edu.co

A national public institution dedicated to education, research, and development, addressing issues affecting Colombian society while fostering national self-renewal

Education Administration Programs 🇨🇴 3,077 1982
10
Universidad del Caucaunicauca.edu.co

A 180-year-old national public higher education institution in Colombia, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in a peaceful environment in Popayán

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Popayán 2,678 1827
11
Universidad del Atlánticouniatlantico.edu.co

Leading higher education institution in the Caribbean region of Colombia with approximately 25,000 students, currently on the path to institutional accreditation

Education Administration Programs 🇨🇴 Puerto Colombia 2,262 1940
12
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Calijaverianacali.edu.co

A prestigious educational institution with nearly 400 years of history, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as continuing education courses

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Cali 2,219 1970
13
AGROSAVIA - Corporación colombiana de investigación agropecuariaagrosavia.co

A Colombian entity focused on agrarian research, driving technical advancements to enhance productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural sector

Farming 🇨🇴 Mosquera 1,583 1994
14
CIATciat.cgiar.org

The organization specializes in providing research-based solutions that utilize agricultural biodiversity to enhance food systems and benefit communities amidst a climate crisis

Research Services 🇨🇴 Cali 1,351 1967
15
UNIVERSIDAD LIBREunilibre.edu.co

The organization focuses on educating and developing well-rounded individuals with critical thinking skills, promoting Colombian identity and environmental preservation, and nurturing democratic and tolerant values

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Pereira 1,286 n/a
16
Universidad FUCSfucsalud.edu.co

An institution of higher education focused on comprehensive student development in health sciences through research, technology, and social impact for community well-being

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 1,264 n/a
17
CORPOICA - Corporacioón Colombiana de Desarrollo Ruralorg.co

Dedicated to agricultural research in Colombia, focusing on the agribusiness sector to drive innovation and sustainable practices

Government Relations Services 🇨🇴 1,111 1993

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18
Universidad de Boyacáuniboyaca.edu.co

Higher education institution offering undergraduate, postgraduate, master's, diplomas, and seminars in various faculties such as engineering, architecture, law, and health sciences

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Tunja 1,110 1979
19
Unidades Tecnológicas de Santanderuts.edu.co

A public institution in Santander focused on ethical education, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship through quality teaching, research, and outreach for societal development

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bucaramanga 1,038 1963
20
Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL)unal.edu.co

A Colombian public university with a national scope, known for its historical significance and academic contributions to Latin America

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 981 n/a
21
Universidad de los Llanosunillanos.edu.co

A public national higher education institution initially created as a technological university, now accredited for high-quality institutional education in 2022

Education 🇨🇴 Villavicencio 823 1974
22
Universidad de San Buenaventurausbmed.edu.co

This page provides all information about Universidad de San Buenaventura Medellín, serving as a comprehensive resource for the institution

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Medellín 747 1697
23
Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravopascualbravo.edu.co

A leading institution offering technical, technological, and now university programs, with academic quality valued by industries and presence in multiple locations

Education 🇨🇴 Medellín 576 1938
24
Instituto Nacional De Cancerología E.S.E.cancer.gov.co

Specializing in cancer treatment and research, this organization is located in Bogotá, Colombia and serves the community with healthcare services

Government Administration 🇨🇴 Bogotá - Distrito Capital 569 1934
25
Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombiains.gov.co

The organization is a scientific and technical institute under the Ministry of Health, contributing to public health protection in Colombia

Research Services 🇨🇴 Bogotá 504 1917
26
Jardín Botánico de Bogotájbb.gov.co

The botanical garden focuses on high Andean ecosystems, green coverage management, environmental education, flora conservation, and sustainability for citizen enjoyment

Research Services 🇨🇴 Bogotá 477 1955
27
Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldthumboldt.org.co

A non-profit organization supporting biodiversity research for the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development since 1993

Environmental Services 🇨🇴 Bogotá 472 1993
28
UNIAGRARIAuniagraria.edu.co

A provider of quality education and development opportunities in rural communities, focusing on regional development, sustainability, and environmental conservation through various academic programs and projects

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 417 1985
29
INVEMARinvemar.org.co

Conducts basic and applied research on renewable natural resources and the environment in coastal and marine ecosystems to support sustainable resource management and environmental protection in Colombia

Research Services 🇨🇴 Santa Marta 399 1993
30
Escuela Superior de Guerraesdegue.edu.co

A public higher education institution that trains military officers and civilian staff in leadership, strategic planning, security, and national defense

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Bogotá 332 1909
31
Fundación CTIC, Centro de Tratamiento e Investigación sobre Cáncer Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulocticsarmientoangulo.org

A non-profit foundation in Colombia dedicated to improving the quality of life and health of cancer patients through treatment and research

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇴 Bogotá 329 2016
32
Fundación Jardín Botánico de Medellínbotanicomedellin.org

A botanical garden conducting research, conservation, and education to promote sustainable use of Colombia's flora and contribute to national well-being

Environmental Services 🇨🇴 Medellín 290 1972
33
Universidad Francisco de Paula Santanderww2.ufps.edu.co

A Public Higher Education Institution focused on quality teaching, research, and community engagement to train professionals committed to sustainable regional development

Higher Education 🇨🇴 Cúcuta 247 1962
34
CIDETcidet.org.co

The corporation promotes scientific and technological development in the Colombian electrical sector through research, quality management, certification, training, and information services

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution 🇨🇴 Medellín 202 n/a

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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 12, 2026.

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