New AEI evaluation rates 2026: R&D evaluation costs you must review

Key data

Companies and entities participating in competitive R&D calls from the State Research Agency (AEI) must update their cost forecasts. The Resolution of April 7, 2026 modifies the annex of public prices of Order EIC/899/2017, which regulates the rates applicable to prior and subsequent scientific-technical evaluations carried out by the AEI.

These evaluations are not optional: they are a standard requirement for grants to be awarded and for justifications of funded projects to be accepted. A change in rates directly affects the real cost of participating in the public research financing system.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution updates the amounts included in the annex of the Order EIC/899/2017, of September 19, which is the base regulation that sets the public prices for scientific-technical evaluations by the AEI. There are two types of evaluations affected:

• Prior evaluations: those carried out before a grant is awarded, to assess the scientific-technical quality and feasibility of the application.
• Subsequent evaluations: those carried out after the project is completed, to verify compliance with objectives and justify the funded expenditure.

Both modalities are subject to the new amounts established in the updated annex. The resolution does not repeal Order EIC/899/2017, but only replaces its rates annex, maintaining the rest of the current regulatory framework.

The available information does not include the specific amounts of the new rates or a numerical comparison with previous prices. To consult the exact values, it is necessary to access the full text published in the BOE.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this update is a potential increase in administrative costs associated with participation in AEI calls. This affects two key moments in the lifecycle of a public R&D grant:

• In the application phase: entities submitting new proposals in competitive calls must incorporate the new rates in their cost planning.
• In the justification phase: already-awarded projects that have pending subsequent evaluations are subject to the new prices, which may generate an unforeseen cost in the original project budget.

This second point is especially relevant for entities with active grants: although the project was approved with the previous rates, the subsequent evaluation will be carried out with the updated rates. It is necessary to verify whether the project budget covers this difference or whether it needs to be communicated to the grant manager.

Who does it affect?

• Private companies participating in scientific and technological policy programs managed by the AEI, including technology SMEs and large companies with R&D activity.
• Universities that apply for or justify research projects funded by the AEI in competitive calls.
• Public research organizations (OPIs) that manage grants subject to scientific-technical evaluation by the AEI.
• Technology and research centers private or mixed that access public funding through AEI calls.
• Entities with ongoing projects that have pending subsequent evaluations, regardless of when the grant was awarded.

Practical example

A medium-sized company in the technology sector has an R&D project funded by the AEI that is approaching its final justification phase. When planning the project budget, it incorporated the cost of the subsequent evaluation according to the rates in force in Order EIC/899/2017.

With the entry into force of this resolution, the subsequent evaluation of that project will be carried out with the new updated rates. If the new amounts are higher than those provided for, the company must either assume that difference or manage a budget modification of the project before submitting the justification.

The same applies to a university that has a pending application in an open competitive call: it must calculate the cost of the prior evaluation with the new amounts, not with those from the original Order EIC/899/2017, so that the budget of the proposal is correct.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the full text of the resolution in the BOE (reference BOE-A-2026-8693) to learn the exact amounts of the new rates in the updated annex.
2. Review projects with pending subsequent evaluations: identify whether the approved budget covers the new amounts or if there is a deviation that needs to be managed.
3. Update cost forecasts in new applications: any proposal being prepared for AEI calls must incorporate the updated rates in the administrative costs section.
4. Communicate the change to the project management team: those responsible for R&D, grant managers and CFOs must be aware of this update to avoid unforeseen budget deviations.
5. Verify the exact entry into force date: since it is not specified in the available information, it is necessary to confirm it in the official text to know from when the new rates apply.