CNPEM is a private, non-profit organization recognized by the Brazilian federal government as a social organization since 1997 and is overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI).

CNPEM is comprised of four national laboratories, and is home to one of the most complex projects in Brazilian science, Sirius; the Center provides unique conditions for scientific and technological work that can be found in only a few scientific centers worldwide. Considering its unique and entirely transversal strategic position in the areas in which it works (such as health, energy, agriculture, the environment, quantum technologies, among other fields) and as a Center for constructing and operating unique tools and facilities, CNPEM stands out for three important institutional pillars that provide the foundation for it to carry out its mission: to bring together top-flight teams formed over the years, to operate and make available modern scientific facilities established on a single campus, and to have a results-focused model for management and culture. This diversity and complementarity encourage interactions and knowledge exchange, making it possible to accelerate the development and application of technologies at the cutting edge of knowledge. During day-to-day operations, CNPEM’s mission is broken down into numerous activities that are organized into four axes: facilities open to external users, in-house research and development, support for innovation, and training, education, and extension. These four axes are dynamic, interconnected, and feed into each other, and the adequate and balanced execution of activities between them ensures the success of CNPEM institutional mission.