R&D&I Calls Double Their Funding in 2021
The historic increase in the budget of the Ministry of Science and Innovation has made it possible to launch new calls for proposals and strengthen others.
From Geprom we want to highlight the opportunity that the Ministry of Science and Innovation grants and subsidies mean for the industrial environment. We want to offer you all the support, through our technical experts, so that you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by public funding and European funds. These actions, located in the comprehensive treatment of R&D&I tax incentives and the management of calls for public grants and subsidies, allow companies of any size to promote their Industry 4.0 and digital transformation projects in all sectors, from the detection of the technological opportunity and project to its justification.
The Minister of Science and Innovation, Pedro Duque, together with the directors of the State Research Agency (AEI), Enrique Playán; the CDTI, Javier Ponce, and the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Raquel Yotti, presented this Wednesday the main novelties of this year’s calls for proposals, which, in total, reach direct investment commitments of 2,406 million euros. This is almost 100% more than in 2020, when grants for projects, human resources and scientific equipment were announced for 1,212 million euros.
At a press conference at the AEI headquarters, the Ministry of Science and Innovation highlighted the role of the agencies as the driving force behind R&D&I in Spain. This role has been reinforced by the EU’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which has led to a sharp increase in the Ministry’s budget for this year. Specifically, in the 2021 PGE, direct investment has increased by 1,204 million euros, 59.4% more, to a total of 3,232 million.
In 2021, a total of 2,406 million euros will be committed to the agencies’ competitive R&D&I calls:
- AEI: from 747 to 1,523 million euros
- CDTI: from 335 to 645 million euros
- ISCIII: from 131 to 238 million euros
State Research Agency
The State Research Agency (AEI) is the country’s main public body responsible for promoting scientific and technical research. It has launched three new calls and reinforced others:
- Proof of concept call: €40 million to finance the start of scientific-technical knowledge transfer. It received 954 applications.
- Public-private partnership call: €43 million in grants and €43 million in loans. It received 447 applications with 1,557 participants.
- Green and digital transition call: €296 million in grants for projects focused on dual green and digital transition. Compatible with other calls.
- Scientific-technical equipment: €180 million in grants, aimed at providing high-performance equipment to common services in public research organizations and universities. It received 701 applications.
- Public-private collaboration: Budget of €150 million in grants and €250 million in loans. It may finance the incorporation of PhDs in companies.
- Postdoctoral contracts: €90.8 million in grants, increasing from 556 to 900 contracts, with more funding for research and mobility. Future integration with Ramón y Cajal programme and “tenure track” from 2022.
CDTI – Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology
The CDTI supports innovation and technological development in Spanish companies. Its direct aid increased 92% compared to 2020, from €335 million to €646 million. Highlights:
- Cervera Technology Centres: €20 million in aid, plus €15 million from the Recovery Plan.
- New aeronautical technology programme: €40 million in aid, currently under evaluation.
- NEOTEC grants: €36.5 million (an increase of €11.5 million). Priority given to projects hiring PhDs.
- Invierte Programme: €177 million available. New support for venture capital vehicles specialised in technology transfer.
Upcoming Calls:
- Science and Innovation Missions: €141 million (up €45 million from 2020)
- Sustainable Automotive Technology Programme: €40 million
- SME Aid – European Innovation Council: €20 million
ISCIII – Carlos III Health Institute
The Carlos III Health Institute manages the Strategic Action in Health (AES) to promote citizen health and international R&D&I competitiveness.
Resources increased from €131 million in 2020 to €238 million in 2021, allowing for:
- More human resources contracts and higher remuneration
- Increased average funding per project
- Consolidation of independent clinical research calls
- New research area in infectious diseases within the CIBER network
- Redesigned health outcome-oriented cooperative research networks
- Enhanced funding for international joint programs in Precision Medicine
New Calls:
- Research in Personalised Precision Medicine: ~€30 million, coordinated with IMPaCT infrastructure.
- Singular Scientific Infrastructures of the National Health System: €15 million for new research equipment and unique infrastructure.
Recent R&D&I Success Story: IoT4DigitalTwin H2020
Geprom has a proven track record in national and international R&D&I projects. A recent success is the IoT4DigitalTwin project under the Horizon 2020 initiative, part of the IoT4Industry program.
In collaboration with Gefasoft, a digital twin is being implemented at Celsa, a leading private Spanish metallurgical multinational. The project furthers the development of Industry 4.0, enabling more flexible, personalised, and efficient industrial processes.
