CDTI Innovation resolves the 2025 Science and Innovation Missions call, awarding €139 million in grants for 35 projects

CDTI Innovación, the state innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, has published the final resolution of the 2025 Science and Innovation Missions call. The initiative aims to promote research on cross-cutting and strategic challenges, improve the knowledge and technology base of Spanish companies, stimulate public-private cooperation in R&D&I, and strengthen Spain’s strategic autonomy in defense.

A total of 150 different companies, 87 of which (58%) are SMEs, will receive €139 million in grants to develop 35 collaborative projects aligned with the missions of the call. Specifically, the missions are:

• Technological solutions to reduce hospital stays and healthcare pressure
• Responsible artificial intelligence
• An interconnected and secure industry contributing to greater strategic autonomy
• Territorial planning and management to enhance resilience and address climate risks
• Strategic sovereignty in critical mineral raw materials for industry and the energy transition
• Capacity building for strategic autonomy in security and defense

The initial budget of €60 million was increased in August 2025 with an additional €80 million linked to the Technological Industrial Plan for Security and Defense. This enabled 18 of the 35 funded projects to be specifically dual-use projects under the “Capacity building for strategic autonomy in security and defense” mission, with €79.55 million committed. Other missions funded by volume include five projects on “Strategic sovereignty in critical mineral raw materials for industry and the energy transition” (€17.5 million), four projects on “Sustainable mobility and decarbonization of collective and bulk transport” (€15.3 million), and four projects on “An interconnected and secure industry contributing to greater strategic autonomy” (€14 million).

Total: 35 projects, 130 participants, €138,987,743.96 in grants, total budget €206,054,187.00

SME participation is very high, confirming the positive impact of the program in enabling SMEs to participate and lead high-impact, ambitious initiatives. Of the 150 different beneficiary companies grouped in 35 collaborative proposals, 87 are SMEs (58%) receiving 55% (€75.8 million) of the total call budget. In addition, 13 of the 35 funded proposals are led by SMEs.

Regional Distribution
By volume of funding received, the Community of Madrid stands out (33%), followed by the Basque Country (18%), Catalonia (13%), and Galicia (9%). Leadership of funded proposals follows a similar pattern: Madrid leads 14 proposals, followed by the Basque Country (8) and Catalonia (3).

Participation of Knowledge-Generating Centers
The 35 projects involve 151 participations, with subcontracting above the minimum required 15%, reaching 18.2% (€37.5 million), distributed as follows:

Approximately 54.5% of the subcontracted amount corresponds to the “Capacity building for strategic autonomy in security and defense” challenge; 14% to “Strategic sovereignty in critical mineral raw materials for industry and the energy transition”; and slightly over 11% each to the “Sustainable mobility and decarbonization of collective and bulk transport” and “An interconnected and secure industry contributing to greater strategic autonomy” challenges.

Call Profile

• Projects will have an execution period of three to four years, starting January 1, 2026.
• Submitted by consortia of 3–6 companies, including at least one SME.
• One company in the consortium must coordinate the project.
• Project budgets will range from €3,500,000 to €15,000,000.
• At least 40% of the budget allocated to industrial research.
• At least 15% of the budget allocated to subcontracting to research organizations.
• Minimum budget per company: €175,000.

Final Resolution Available: CDTI 2025 Missions Final Resolution

About CDTI Innovación

The Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E., is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, aimed at promoting technological innovation in the business sector. CDTI’s mission is to ensure that Spanish companies generate and transform scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. In 2024, under a new strategic plan, CDTI provided over €2.3 billion in support to Spanish companies and startups.

• By CDTI Innovación
• 02/01/2026
• 2025 Science and Innovation Missions call