Horizon Europe and the future of European research and innovation focus the Spain Science & Innovation 2026 forum in Brussels

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI Innovation), the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the State Research Agency (AEI) and the Higher Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), entities attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), have organized the meeting Spain Science & Innovation 2026: Shaping Europe's Research and Innovation Future, a forum for dialogue on Horizon Europe's contribution to strengthening European research and innovation and the challenges of the next Framework Programme for the period 2028-2034.

Held in Brussels, the meeting brought together more than 120 representatives of the European institutions, the Member States and entities of the Spanish system of science, technology and innovation. At the conference, the role of Horizon Europe as the main European instrument for financing research and innovation was discussed, as well as the priorities and challenges that will mark the design of the future Framework Programme, known as FP10, and its relationship with the European Competitiveness Fund.

The event was attended by the Secretary General of Innovation of the MICIU and President of the CDTI, Teresa Hazard, who presented the main priorities of Spain before the negotiation of the future Framework Program of Research and Innovation of the European Union. Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, also spoke.

The forum was also attended by the General Director of the CDTI Innovation, José Moisés Martín; the Director of the AEI, José Manuel Fernández de Labastida; the General Director of FECYT, Izaskun Lacunza; and the Vice-President of International Relations of the CSIC, Isabel Martínez. During the meeting, the initiatives to support Spanish participation in Horizonte Europa and the accompaniment to universities, research bodies, technological centers and innovative companies in the development of European projects were discussed.

The event concluded with a high-level dialogue on the future Framework Programme and the European Competitiveness Fund, in which representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States took part. The session addressed the challenges of the articulation of both instruments and the role of research and innovation in the strategic autonomy, competitiveness and economic and social development of Europe.

The joint organisation of this forum by the AEI, CSIC, FECYT and CDTI Innovation underlines the shared commitment of these entities to strengthening European research and innovation. From their respective spheres of action, and through coordinated action, they contribute to promoting Spanish participation in European programmes, promoting international scientific and technological cooperation and strengthening Spain’s role in the construction of a European Research Area that is more integrated, competitive, secure and open to international collaboration.

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth.

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