The present article aims identify, analyze, compare and follow up the process of training of the public policy of higher education research in Colombia, for which are addressed the periods between 1980 – 1981 and 1992 to present, because in 1980 and 1992 were issued the two major reforms to higher education which, of course, influenced the investigation, reason why in its development, the normative guidelines are approached, as well as the plans and other instruments that support the policy.