The commitment to science, technology and innovation in Spain is at a key moment, with record investments of public and private resources that seek to consolidate Spanish scientific leadership, strengthen the business fabric and improve international competitiveness.
In recent years, administrations have intensified their efforts, allocating record budgets to research projects and infrastructure modernization, resulting in unprecedented growth for the sector.
Financial boost to research, development and innovation
The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through the State Research Agency, has pre-awarded more than €245 million to 256 public-private partnership projects involving 748 entities , including companies, research centers, and universities. This support aims to maximize knowledge transfer and transform scientific advances into innovative solutions applied to the business sector.
The aid, also financed with European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), is distributed primarily in the form of loans and grants. SMEs are the primary recipients of this funding, followed by foundations, associations, and universities. The health, food, bioeconomy, industry, energy, and mobility sectors stand out in terms of thematic areas , with a strong presence in Catalonia, the Community of Madrid, and the Valencian Community.
Sustained growth and diversification of research efforts
Meanwhile, the call for proposals for Knowledge Generation Projects has reached unprecedented levels, with €667 million pre-awarded for projects and predoctoral contracts. This 34% increase compared to six years ago reflects the Government's sustained commitment to strengthening the scientific and technological base and the training of new PhDs.
The interest of the research community is reflected in the increase in applications and the diversity of funded proposals, which range from life sciences to mathematics and engineering, as well as social sciences and humanities. Furthermore, international collaboration is being fostered through joint projects with agencies in Germany and Brazil.
The profile of the beneficiaries shows a balanced representation of women and men as principal investigators and a rejuvenation of the teams thanks to the integration of young talent.
New infrastructures and commitment to emblematic projects
In the area of ​​major infrastructure projects, Spain has taken a significant step forward by submitting its bid to host the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on La Palma, proposing a state investment of up to €400 million through the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation. This project, considered strategic on a global scale, represents not only the construction of the most advanced telescope ever installed on European soil, but also decades of scientific development, job creation, and economic growth for the region.
The commitment to excellence in astrophysics goes further and is reflected in the increased budget of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics , which reaches 18,6 million euros in 2025, with additional funds intended to strengthen the scientific and technical activity of the center.
Public and private investment: trends and challenges
The report on the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation highlights that between 2020 and 2025 the budget for R&D&I increased from €7.069 billion to almost €17.800 billion, meaning that the financial capacity allocated to science and innovation has multiplied by 2,5 . Together with European funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, national capital for research also increased by 20,5% during this period.
According to the INE (National Statistics Institute), total spending on R&D&I has grown by 49,7% in five years, reaching €22.379 billion, with the aim of bringing Spain's investment closer to the European average relative to GDP . This growth has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the hiring of research personnel , with the private sector being the main employer.
In the area of patents, a boom and greater internationalization are observed, although it is necessary to strengthen the presence of Spanish entities as direct applicants to consolidate long-term leadership in innovation.
Pending challenges and strategic vision
Despite the momentum, administrative challenges persist, hindering agility in fund management and long-term planning. Developing stable strategies in key areas is crucial to anticipating global changes such as the energy transition, healthcare biotechnology, and technological sovereignty.
An example of this is the sustained planning for research and development in cities like Barcelona, ​​which demonstrates how continuity in policies and the attraction of international talent can transform the scientific ecosystem. The strategy must include maintaining medium- and long-term funding lines, facilitating the integration of returning scientists, and promoting the recruitment of top-tier personnel so that Spain remains a leader in science and innovation investment.
