🌓 Canary Islands Government Announcements

Official Approval of New Evaluation and Funding Rules for Research Projects in Canary Islands

Published: July 9, 2025|technology-and-innovation|Gobierno de Canarias

Canary Islands Research and Innovation Funding Framework Updates

Overview

The Canary Islands government has announced updates to its funding framework for research and innovation projects, part of a broader strategy to boost scientific development by 2024-2026. The new measures aim to better align regional calls with national and European standards by harmonizing evaluation criteria and procedures.

Key Changes

  • Improving the evaluation process of research proposals by allowing eligible projects that previously submitted but weren’t funded in national calls to be reconsidered for regional grants.
  • Facilitating this through a joint assessment agreement signed between the Canary Islands' research agency and Spain's national research entity, promising a more coordinated review process.
  • Expanding the evaluation team to include private and public entities accredited to assess research proposals, speeding up the process.
  • Addressing delays in funding decisions, which have historically taken several months, by introducing alternative evaluators.

Goals and Impact

  • Making grant evaluations more transparent, fair, and efficient.
  • Ensuring high-quality projects get funded faster.
  • Supporting the region’s digital transition and innovation goals.
  • Since the measures come into effect immediately upon publication, residents and local researchers can expect quicker responses for future research financing opportunities.
  • Bolstering Canary Islands’ role in Spain’s scientific landscape.

Summary

These reforms aim to streamline and improve the research funding process to promote scientific development and innovation within the Canary Islands, aligning local efforts with wider national and European standards.