The work describes the research situation in undergraduate studies in Argentina. To do this, it develops a historical perspective from the beginning of the twentieth century, which allows us to understand how research was constituted at this level. The type of institutions, the democratic discontinuities and the place in the international production of knowledge configured a special development of research in Argentina. The work proposes some successful experiences, the structural conditioning and the challenges that are faced to develop research in undergraduate studies. The disciplinary fields, the academic cultures, the participation of the state and industry, and the political role that is given to the production of knowledge are fundamental to understand the efficiency of curricular improvements in Argentina.