CDTI-UPM Postgraduate in International R&D+i Management: what it is and who it interests

Key data

Professionals in the Spanish innovation ecosystem working with European calls now have a formal qualification pathway backed by two reference institutions. CDTI and the Polytechnic University of Madrid have formalized an agreement, published in the BOE on May 21, 2026 through the Resolution of May 12, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-10979), to offer the Expert Diploma in Promotion and Management of International R&D+i Projects and Activities.

This agreement is not a statement of intent: it represents the launch of a university postgraduate degree with direct institutional backing from the public body that manages innovation financing in Spain.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution publishes the agreement signed between the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) for the creation and development of the university postgraduate degree called "Expert Diploma in Promotion and Management of International R&D+i Projects and Activities".

The agreement structures the collaboration between both institutions as follows:

• The CDTI contributes its accumulated practical experience in financing and managing innovation projects, as well as its direct knowledge of European and international calls.
• The UPM contributes the academic capacity and university recognition necessary for the degree to have validity as an official postgraduate qualification.
• The training is specifically oriented toward management and promotion of research, development and innovation projects in the international sphere.
• The degree offers a recognized qualification pathway for professionals in the Spanish innovation ecosystem.

Economic and operational impact

This agreement does not generate direct costs for companies nor does it modify existing regulatory obligations. Its impact is strategic and human capital in nature.

For organizations actively participating in European R&D+i calls—such as Horizon Europe or other international programs—having staff with formal and recognized qualification in international project management can translate into:

• Greater competitiveness in submitting proposals to European calls, where the accredited experience of the management team is an evaluated criterion.
• Reduced risk of errors in project management that could result in fund returns or penalties.
• Improved internal capacity to identify and access international financing, reducing dependence on external consultants.
• Formal accreditation of knowledge of R&D+i managers, backed by two reference public institutions.

For individual professionals, the degree represents a way to differentiate themselves in the specialized labor market for innovation and technological internationalization.

Who does it affect?

This agreement and the postgraduate program it enables are of direct interest to the following profiles:

• R&D+i technicians in companies participating or wanting to participate in European innovation financing programs.
• Innovation project managers in public bodies, technology centers or research entities.
• Specialized consultants in accessing European financing for R&D+i projects (Horizon Europe, EIC, etc.).
• Innovation managers (CTO, R&D directors) in companies wanting to formally accredit their team's capacity.
• Professionals in transition toward international innovation management roles seeking recognized qualification.
• HR and training departments in technology or industrial companies designing development plans for their innovation teams.

Practical example

A medium-sized industrial company with an R&D department that has been trying for two years to access Horizon Europe program calls without success. Its technicians have solid technical knowledge, but lack specific training in the administrative, financial and strategic management of international R&D+i projects.

With the Expert Diploma in Promotion and Management of International R&D+i Projects and Activities offered by UPM with CDTI backing, one or several team members can acquire the formal qualification needed to:

• Correctly manage documentation and justification of European projects.
• Identify the most appropriate calls for the company's profile.
• Coordinate international consortia with the required methodological knowledge.
• Accredit to European evaluators the team's management capacity, a criterion that directly influences proposal evaluation.

The expected result is a higher success rate in securing European financing and reduced dependence on external consultants for managing these projects.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if there are profiles in your organization that would benefit from this qualification: R&D technicians, project managers or innovation managers working or aspiring to work with European calls.
2. Contact UPM or CDTI directly to obtain information about enrollment deadlines, access requirements and program structure, as these details are not specified in the published resolution.
3. Evaluate whether to include this training in your R&D+i department's talent development plan, especially if the company has objectives for technological internationalization or access to European financing.
4. Review whether the company can subsidize this training through continuous training credits available from the State Foundation for Employment Training (FUNDAE), which would reduce the net cost for the organization.
5. Monitor the publication of enrollment calls through official UPM and CDTI channels, given that the resolution does not specify a start date or available places.