Investment in science and technology not only determines which projects receive funding; it also shapes which sectors will grow, which research areas will advance, and where new career opportunities will emerge. European programs such as Horizon Europe and national initiatives such as the CDTI and the PERTE are shaping much of today’s scientific ecosystem.
Understanding how these financing programs work allows you to understand where innovation is headed and which areas are receiving strategic resources. In this article, we review the main STEM investment programs in Europe and Spain and the role they play in the development of research and technology in 2026.
Why is STEM more important than ever?
The STEM disciplines—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—play a central role in addressing some of today’s major challenges: digitalization, climate change, health, industrial automation, and cybersecurity. Their impact is not limited to the academic or scientific spheres; they also directly influence countries’ economic growth and competitiveness.
The need for promote funding for science It also addresses an increasingly evident reality: technological innovation is advancing at a rapid pace and requires specialized professionals, infrastructure, and programs capable of turning research into practical solutions.
For this reason, the European and national science policies They are stepping up investment in strategic research projects and in the development of sustainable, long-term innovation ecosystems.
Quick Map of STEM opportunities
European and national science and technology investment programs active in 2026. Budgets, types of funding, and target audiences.
The EU’s R&D&I Framework Program. The 2026–2027 work program allocates 14,000 M€ through fewer calls for proposals but with greater impact, including horizontal calls in clean industry (540 M€) and AI applied to science (90 M€).
Researcher Mobility and Training. The 2026–2027 program allocates ~1,196 M€ in 2026 and ~1,181 M€ in 2027 for doctoral networks, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funding.
Funds cutting-edge research driven by scientific curiosity. In 2026, it will have a budget of 2,700 M€, with Starting grants (up to 1.5 M€), Consolidator grants (up to 2 M€), Advanced grants (up to 2.5 M€), and the new ERC+ category offering up to 7 M€ over 7 years.
A network of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) that connect education, research, and business in areas such as climate, health, raw materials, digital technology, energy, food, and manufacturing.
Research in nuclear safety, radiation protection, waste management, and nuclear fusion. It complements Horizon Europe with a specific focus on safe and sustainable nuclear energy.
Innovation Agency of the Ministry of Science. In 2026, it will allocate 1,817 M€: 407 M€ in competitive grants, 545 M€ in partially repayable loans, and 75 M€ in innovative public procurement. Flagship programs: NEOTEC (startups), Science and Innovation Missions (€80 million), and Innterconecta.
Spain's largest public research institution and the third largest in Europe. It operates more than 120 centers and institutes across all STEM fields: physics, biology, chemistry, materials science, earth sciences, information technology, and food science.
A national framework that coordinates all public research funding in Spain: knowledge-generation projects, societal challenges, talent development (FPI, FPU, Juan de la Cierva, Ramón y Cajal), and scientific infrastructure.
11 approved projects mobilizing more than 30,000 M€ in public investment in key STEM areas: semiconductors and chips (12,250 M€), electric vehicles, renewable energy and hydrogen, cutting-edge healthcare, aerospace (€4,533 million), the circular economy, and the new language economy.
The European Union's Major STEM Investment Programs
The European Union has various initiatives aimed at strengthening the European scientific and technological ecosystem. These programs promote European funding for innovative projects and foster collaboration among universities, research centers, and companies.
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the main European framework program to fund research and innovation. Its goal is to promote high-impact scientific projects and address major social and technological challenges.
The program provides funding for areas such as health, digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and energy, making it one of the major international research funding instruments.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are aimed at the development and mobility of research staff. They facilitate international training, collaboration among institutions, and the development of scientific talent.
This program promotes academic and professional mobility, supporting innovative projects within European scientific research programs.
European Research Council (ERC)
The European Research Council (ERC) It funds cutting-edge research projects led by researchers with highly innovative proposals.
Its focus is on support research with disruptive potential, driving scientific advances that could transform entire sectors in the future.
EIT – European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The EIT, European Institute of Innovation and Technology, It promotes collaboration between education, research, and business. Its model aims to accelerate knowledge transfer and foster innovation ecosystems through strategic partnerships.
This organization plays an important role in the promotion of innovation programs, especially in emerging technology fields.
Euratom Program
The program Euratom It focuses on research related to nuclear energy, safety, and sustainability. Although its scope is more specific, it plays an important role in the European strategy for scientific development.
Its goal is to ensure technological progress and responsible research in strategic energy sectors.
Research Programs in Spain
Spain has in-house programs designed to promote technological development, strengthen applied research, and facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the business community.
CDTI (Center for Technological Development and Innovation)
The CDTI Spain It is one of the leading public entities supporting business innovation. It funds R&D projects and promotes collaboration among companies, technology centers, and universities.
Their work is key to to promote projects with the potential to generate economic and technological impact.
CSIC (Spanish National Research Council)
The CSIC It is the largest public institution dedicated to scientific research in Spain. Its work spans a wide range of fields, from health sciences to engineering and the environment.
In addition to conducting research, he plays an important role in technology transfer and international cooperation.
State R&D&I Plan
The State Plan for Scientific, Technical, and Innovation Research It is one of the main sources of public funding for science in Spain.
This plan establishes strategic priorities and allocates resources aimed at strengthening the national research and development ecosystem.
PERTE (Strategic Transformation Projects)
The PERTE These are initiatives aimed at promoting strategic projects with a significant economic and technological impact. They focus on sectors considered priorities for the country's growth, such as sustainable mobility, health, digitalization, and the energy transition.
These projects represent one of the main public investment tools to accelerate innovation and competitiveness.
Bibliography
The evolution of investment in STEM and scientific funding programs is supported by institutional strategies and specialized agencies that set research and innovation priorities. The following sources were used as references in the preparation of this content: official sources and programs related to scientific and technological development.
- European Commission. Horizon Europe and the Framework Programs for Research and Innovation.
- European Research Council (ERC). Scientific Funding Programs.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Calls for Proposals and Research Mobility.
- Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI). R&D Support Programs.
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Institutional information and research projects.
- Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. State R&D&I Plan and National Research Strategies.
