- Spanish entities participate in 943 R&D activities and lead 101 projects
- It is ranked as the fifth country that receives more funds from the EU28 after Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands
Spain has obtained 553.3 million euros in the first 73 calls for entries of the European research and innovation program, Horizon 2020 (2014-2020). This figure represents 9.5% of the resources granted in competitive competition so far, which places Spain as the fifth recipient of aid from the EU28 after Germany (17.7%), the United Kingdom (16.4%), France (11.6%) and the Netherlands (9.6%).
Spanish entities –universities, organizations and research centers, companies, technology centers or foundations– have obtained financing to participate in 943 R&D activities. In addition, 101 projects (15.7% of the EU28) will be led by Spanish institutions, something very beneficial because it allows higher returns and a better strategic positioning to generate knowledge.
In the VII Framework Program (2007-2013), Spain, with an 8.3% return, came close to offsetting its contribution to the Community budget (8.9%), occupying sixth place in the EU28. And for the first time, a large number of projects were led (10.5%).
The Secretary of State for R + D + i, Carmen Vela, highlighted that the data from both programs “reflect the quality of the Spanish system of science, technology and innovation. For Horizon 2020 we had set a target of 9.5% return and 10.5% of led projects; for now we comply with a note. Our participation curve in Europe in recent years is clearly upward. " Vela also recognized the important role of the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI), the European Office and other agents and structures that work to enhance the Spanish presence in European R & D & i programs in these results.
Areas
In Health, an important area with a large endowment, Spain has gone from getting 5.5% of European funds from the VII Framework Program to the current 9% (€ 51 M); Energy continues to improve and goes from 11% of the previous program to 13.1% today, being the second country by return. In Nanotechnology, Materials and Manufacturing (from 11.1% to 15.2%) or in Space (from 8.1% to 11.2%) the jump has also been significant. As for the SME Instrument, very important in Horizon 2020, Spain appears as the second country by return (13.3%).
The European Research Council (ERC) has also increased its aid to Spain. In 2014, Spanish institutions achieved 22 Starting Grants (for the 14 of 2013) and 32 Consolidator Grants (by the 20 of 2013). They still have to count the Advanced Grants.
Entities
Spanish companies continue to be the ones that bring the most resources from Europe, with 33% of the total, while universities get 23.4%. As for the entities that have obtained the most number of projects, the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) stands out, with 71 projects of which it leads 36, followed by the Tecnalia Foundation Research and Innovation, with 45 projects and 7 led, and the Pompeu Fabra University, with 21 projects and 13 led.
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