The CSIC was founded in 1939, taking over the facilities and material of the National Science Research Foundation of 1931 and of the defunct Study Extension and Science Research Board, which had been created in 1907 for the sole purpose of undertaking scientific and technical research in all branches of knowledge. The role of the CSIC in the Spanish Science and Technology system was consolidated by the Scientific and Technical Research (Promotion and General Co-ordination) act (act 13/1986, 14 April), which assigned it a number of functions in connection with national science policy.