This study uses impact oriented monitoring (IOM) methodology recently proposed by Guinea et al. (2015) to identify and assess the socio-economic impact of public research organizations through case studies. IOM techniques overcome the most relevant limitations associated to mainstream research impact assessment (RIA). The IOM approach has been extended to a consideration of the multidimensional impact produced by the agricultural research and development. In contrast to previous studies, multi-criteria decision techniques based on ELECTRE III method are applied to derive global picture of impact. The methodology is expected to provide the Institute of Agro-food Research and Technology (IRTA) with useful information on how the research projects in the area of agro-food sector are generating impacts. Such analysis would support monitoring the impacts of agricultural research and assist in better targeting adequate research policy planning and project management strategies. The relevance of using new RIA approach can be evidenced by its applicability to other case studies and also its potential to be implemented in other agricultural research institutions in different countries. The use of refined methods has thus important implications. Acknowledgement : The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA).