Science and technology policy is one of the key domains of public policymaking. This article evaluates Iran's National Comprehensive Scientific Map (NCSM), which represents the highest-level policy document in the field of science and technology, through the lens of the cyclical policy model. Employing an institutional approach, the evaluation encompasses five stages: inputs, design, implementation, outputs, and evaluation. The input stage reveals that while the impetus for drafting the NCSM originated from governmental institutions, it lacked broad-based support from societal stakeholders, leading to difficulties in establishing a robust policy discourse. In the design stage, the article examines the drafting mechanisms, institutional actors, structural components, overarching goals, and strategic priorities of the map. The implementation stage assesses the map's integration with the Fifth and Sixth National Development Plans. In the output stage, using official statistics, the paper evaluates the extent to which the quantitative targets set by the NCSM have been achieved. The evaluation stage identifies strengths and weaknesses across the input, design, and implementation phases. Based on this analysis, the article offers policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the current NCSM and informing the development of future science policy frameworks.