Planning of the science park began in September 1976, when the Executive Yuan designated the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education and National Science Council to organize a joint development group under NSC management.
新竹科學工業園區於民國六十五年九月由行政院指示經濟部、教育部及國家科學發展委員會成立聯合小組積極規劃，於六十七年元月間指定國科會為主辦機關籌劃開發。