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| Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy |
| Country | Spain |
| Launched | 2013 |
| Updated | 2021 |
| Responsible | Ministry of Science and Innovation |
Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy is a national framework that coordinates research, development and innovation across Spanish public and private sectors. It aligns national policy with European Union instruments and regional planning while engaging universities, research centres and industry to increase competitiveness, technological sovereignty and social welfare. The Strategy integrates long-term objectives derived from national plans, sectoral laws and supranational agreements to prioritise scientific excellence, technological transfer and innovation ecosystems.
The Strategy builds on earlier frameworks such as the Ley de la Ciencia, la Tecnología y la Innovación and successors influenced by actors like the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain), regional governments including the Generalitat de Catalunya, Comunidad de Madrid, Junta de Andalucía and autonomous communities such as the Basque Country and the Valencian Community. It references milestones including the European Research Area, the Horizon 2020 programme and the Seventh Framework Programme to set objectives for excellence in institutions like the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Barcelona and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Core objectives mirror international commitments embodied in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Union for the Mediterranean, prioritising collaboration among stakeholders like CDTI, Carlos III Health Institute, Instituto de Salud Carlos III and industry partners such as SEAT, Inditex, Acciona and Repsol.
Governance relies on ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain), the Ministry of Finance (Spain), the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Spain), the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office and the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial. Institutional actors include research centres like the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, CIEMAT, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, universities such as Universidad de Sevilla and Universidad de Granada and networks like the Red de Centros Tecnológicos. Advisory bodies such as the State Research Agency and consultative forums involving trade associations like Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales coordinate with parliaments including the Cortes Generales and regional assemblies like the Asamblea de Madrid to implement statutes and strategic roadmaps.
Funding streams combine national appropriations, regional budgets and European funds via mechanisms like Horizon Europe, the European Structural and Investment Funds, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Public investors include the Banco Santander’s philanthropic programmes, public venture initiatives linked to the ICO and competitive grants administered by the State Research Agency and CDTI. Private investment features corporate R&D from groups such as Telefonica, Iberdrola, Mapfre and BBVA alongside venture capital firms like Kibo Ventures, Nauta Capital and accelerators such as Wayra. Financial instruments reference taxation frameworks in the Agencia Tributaria (Spain) and incentive schemes promoted by the Ministry of Finance (Spain).
Priority areas reflect national competitive strengths in energy, health, digital technologies and agri-food. Flagship programmes include collaborations with the Instituto de Salud Carlos III on biomedical research targeting partners like Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, and energy projects with RED Eléctrica de España and Iberdrola focused on renewables and storage. Digital agendas engage institutions like the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Telefonica, Amadeus IT Group and initiatives around quantum technologies connected to European Quantum Flagship. Agricultural innovation involves actors such as Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria and companies like Campofrío Food Group. Mobility and transport programmes include collaborations with Adif, RENFE and automotive clusters featuring SEAT and Nissan Motor Ibérica.
Implementation is executed through competitive calls, public procurement and institutional agreements involving the State Research Agency, CDTI, regional research agencies like the Agencia Andaluza del Conocimiento, and universities including Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Universidad de Zaragoza. Evaluation mechanisms rely on metrics aligned with the European Research Area scoreboard, peer review panels with members from institutions such as the Max Planck Society, CNRS, ETH Zurich and bibliometric analyses referencing databases used by the CSIC and university research offices. Monitoring involves periodic reports to bodies like the Cortes Generales and audit reviews by the Tribunal de Cuentas.
The Strategy embeds Spain in multilateral schemes including Horizon Europe, the European Innovation Council, European Space Agency programmes and bilateral partnerships with countries like France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Mexico and Chile. Spanish participation extends to agencies such as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, research infrastructures like ALBA Synchrotron, ELI projects and space collaboration via European Space Agency missions with contractors like Airbus and Thales Alenia Space. Regional links involve networks such as Ibero-American Programme for Science, Technology and Development and alliances with organisations like OECD and UNESCO.
The Strategy has driven growth in publication output and patenting associated with centres like Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and universities including Universidad de Valencia and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, and contributed to industrial R&D at firms such as Acciona and Repsol. Challenges include addressing disparities between regions like Extremadura and Madrid, improving technology transfer from labs like CNIO to industry clusters in Basque Country, scaling venture ecosystems exemplified by Kibo Ventures and aligning incentives with European targets in Horizon Europe. Structural issues involve attracting talent against competition from institutions such as MIT, Stanford University, Imperial College London and University of Cambridge, and ensuring long-term continuity amid political cycles in bodies like the Cortes Generales and regional parliaments.